Mesa Public Schools holds hearing on proposal to convert Wilson Elementary to Franklin K–4 program

Mesa Public Schools’ Planning, Attendance and Boundary Design Advisory Committee (PABDAC) held the first of three public hearings on a district proposal to convert Wilson Elementary into a Franklin Accelerated Academy campus serving kindergarten through fourth grade. The meeting reviewed enrollment data, explained staffing and transportation implications, and collected community feedback; no final decision was made.

PABDAC chair Dr. Laura Metcalf said the district is pursuing options “to avoid closing schools and maximize our campuses,” citing long-term enrollment declines statewide and locally as the rationale for considering boundary changes and program moves. The committee and district staff framed the proposal as a way to expand Franklin’s K–12 model at Brimhall campus by putting a Franklin K–4 program at the Wilson site while redistributing other Wilson students to nearby elementary schools.

The Franklin model is an accelerated, parent-choice program that emphasizes whole-group direct instruction, consistent schedules, higher academic pacing and structured parent involvement, district principal Jeff Abrams said. “Change is hard. And when change isn’t our idea, it’s extra hard,” Abrams told attendees, adding the school regularly assesses new students and provides interventions, tutoring and other supports as needed.

District staff and PABDAC described several pieces of analysis…