The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board on Nov. 13 approved a package of attendance‑boundary changes and school reconfigurations recommended by the district’s Planning and Boundary Design Advisory Committee (PABDAC). The board voted 5–0 to accept the committee’s recommendation, and then approved three related action items that redesignate campuses and add grades.

What the board approved

- PABDAC recommended attendance‑boundary changes affecting Wilson, Madison and Johnson elementary attendance areas; the board approved the recommendation by a 5–0 vote.

- The board designated the school at 5619 E. Glade Ave. as Franklin Accelerated Academy — Wilson Campus, with grade levels preschool through sixth beginning in 2026–27 and an intent to enroll kindergarten through fourth in 2026–27 (board vote 5–0).

- The board approved adding grades 9–12 at 4949 E. Southern Ave. and designating that campus Franklin High School beginning in 2026–27, with intent to enroll grade 9 (and potentially grade 10 depending on enrollment) in 2026–27 (vote 5–0).

- The board approved adding grades 9–12 at 1407 N. Alta Mesa Dr., to be named Shepherd College Preparatory, and authorized opening with ninth grade for 2026–27 (vote 5–0).

Why the changes were proposed

PABDAC members and staff told the board the Wilson campus has seen substantial long‑term enrollment decline (presenters cited a roughly 40% decline), and that repurposing the site would allow the district to consolidate students into closer‑to‑home schools while creating space for an expanded Franklin program and a new choice high‑school option. The committee said it conducted three public hearings, mailings to affected households and multiple listening sessions before forwarding a recommendation to the board.

Public comment and board questions

Public commenters spoke both for and against the changes and asked for specific assurances on transportation, staff placements and program continuity. Topics raised during public comment included:

- Libraries and specials: multiple parents, librarians and staff urged the board to preserve library staff and “specials” (art, music, PE) at elementary schools and to resist treating them as optional add‑ons. Several speakers described librarians as the only staff member who sees every child each week and asked the board to protect library budgets.

- Transportation and grandparents: parents and board members discussed grandfathered routes and variations in how the district provides choice transportation, and pressed staff for details on which Wilson families would be guaranteed transportation options and how new routing would be established.

- Staff continuity: Wilson staff and board members asked how existing Wilson teachers and classified employees would be placed; staff said human resources would prioritize placement at the three receiving schools and manage any involuntary transfer process according to board policy.

Financial and facilities considerations

District staff told the board small‑school repurposing may yield estimated savings of roughly $600,000 to $1,000,000, but emphasized those savings occur only if students displaced by a closure remain in the district. For Franklin High and Shepherd College Prep, staff said existing campus infrastructure (many sites previously served as 7–9 campuses) reduces some near‑term capital expense; staff noted parking and portable costs at Brimhall/Franklin may require future capital work and that portables on hand could be moved to support reconfiguration.

Votes at a glance (items approved Nov. 13)

- PABDAC recommended boundary changes (action): approved, vote 5–0.
- Designate 5619 E. Glade Ave. as Franklin Accelerated Academy — Wilson Campus (grades P–6; intent K–4 in 2026–27): approved, vote 5–0.
- Add grades 9–12 and name 4949 E. Southern Ave. Franklin High School (intent to enroll grade 9 and possibly grade 10 in 2026–27): approved, vote 5–0.
- Add grades 9–12 at 1407 N. Alta Mesa Dr. as Shepherd College Preparatory (start with grade 9 in 2026–27): approved, vote 5–0.

Provenance (evidence from the meeting transcript)

- PABDAC discussion & recommendation: topicintro excerpt from PABDAC presentation and public‑hearing summary; topicfinish at board vote approving the recommendation.
- Franklin Wilson designation: topicintro at staff presentation introducing item B and public hearing summaries; topicfinish at vote approving Franklin Wilson campus.
- Franklin High School addition: topicintro in action item C discussion; topicfinish at vote approving addition of grades 9–12.
- Shepherd College Prep: topicintro in action item D discussion; topicfinish at vote approving addition of grades 9–12 at Alta Mesa.

Next steps and board directions

District staff will:

- Post enrollment and registration deadlines and run targeted parent information sessions (staff said they will schedule Franklin information sessions and contact families during open enrollment).
- Work with human resources on staffing priorities and transfer processes for affected Wilson staff.
- Provide a capital/facilities checklist to principals who will receive additional students so site needs (minor repairs, signage, selective portables) can be reviewed against the capital budget.

Ending

Board members said they recognized the change would be difficult for some neighborhood families and staff but cited declining enrollment and parent demand for additional choice schools as the drivers of the decision. Board members asked staff to return with clear timelines and communications to families about transportation, grade bands and staffing.

Speakers (attribution whitelist)

- Dr. Laura Metcalfe, PABDAC chair
- Jacob Martinez, PABDAC vice chair
- Mr. Abrams, Principal (Franklin Brimhall) — provided qualitative enrollment interest
- Board Member Hutchinson, Benson, Chaffee, Walden, Vinson (questions/comments)

Authorities referenced

- Board policy 5‑101 (attendance boundaries process)

Clarifying details

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Searchable tags: ["boundaries","school_reconfiguration","Franklin","Shepherd","transportation"]