Parents, teachers and community members urge Chandler Unified to restore part‑time ELD teacher at Jacobson Elementary

Dozens of parents, teachers and community members urged the Chandler Unified School District governing board on July 9 to restore at least a part‑time English Language Development (ELD) teacher at Jacobson Elementary after the district removed the position during staff assignments.

The speakers, who testified during the meeting’s public‑comment period, said Jacobson serves a uniquely diverse and high‑need newcomer population and that removing the position will harm students’ academic progress and families’ ability to integrate into the school community.

The public input began with Kimberly Christ, a 33‑year CUSD retired teacher, who told the board Jacobson’s ELD program had “an amazing reclassification rate” and warned that the program’s success had been used as a rationale for eliminating the position. “How can you eliminate a program just because we got good at instructing our students into English proficiency and testing out of ELD?” Christ said.

Multiple speakers described similar experiences. Allison Amparano, a parent and fifth‑grade teacher at Jacobson, said, “The dedicated ELD support isn't just a nice to have. It is essential to how these kids learn to understand, actively participate, and meet the academic goals.” Christina Pilillo, a Jacobson teacher speaking with written permission on behalf of a family who lives in Japan, said Jacobson’s ELD classroom provides a “safe, welcoming space for families who are starting over in a new country.”

Parents and former students said Jacobson’s ELD program also supports family well‑being and community ties. Anna Lee Binaroche said her family chose Jacobson because of its reputation overseas and credited the ELD staff, especially Jan Johnson, with helping her children adjust to school and succeed academically. Ruth King Cole read testimony from Wen Wan Lu, whose child transitioned from no English to the gifted program after ELD support.

Several speakers added quantitative details the board requested be considered: speakers said Jacobson students represent more than 20 languages and more than a dozen countries; one speaker cited a historic pattern of reclassification that creates multi‑year fluctuations in ELD caseloads; others said Jacobson has 35–40% of its students via open enrollment, and that enrollment often rises after the start of the school year. Allison Amparano told the board Jacobson’s projected ELD enrollment for the next year was “only 39” at the time of the meeting but warned that mid‑year arrivals typically increase that number.

Educators’ union president Laurel Miller testified at the end of public comment that Jan Johnson, the school’s ELD teacher, had been involuntarily transferred to Basha Elementary and asked the board to “reconsider and provide Jacobson at least a part‑time ELD instructor for the 2025–26 school year,” citing projected arrivals and students’ initial assessment levels.

Board members did not take immediate action on the speakers’ requests during the meeting. The testimony will be part of district staffing and budget discussions the administration said it would continue to monitor.

The public comment period on this issue included a mix of first‑hand student outcomes, family testimony and staff observations; callers repeatedly asked the board to weigh language proficiency levels, year‑to‑year enrollment volatility and Jacobson’s long‑standing community networks when assigning ELD staffing.

The board did not vote on any changes to Jacobson’s staffing at the July 9 meeting. District staff said placement and funding decisions that affect teacher assignments will be addressed through the district’s staffing and budget processes and any future agenda items that would seek a formal board decision.