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

Dozens of parents, former students and staff described Jacobson Elementary School’s English Language Development program as an essential support for recently arrived multilingual students and urged the Chandler Unified School District Governing Board to restore a part‑time ELD teacher position that the district reassigned.

Thirteen people spoke during the meeting’s public‑comment period on July 9, saying the position’s removal was driven by budget calculations that did not reflect Jacobson’s student needs. “Most of our ELD students come brand new to this country with very limited English proficiency skills,” said Allison Amparano, a fifth‑grade teacher at Jacobson. “The dedicated ELD support isn’t just a nice to have. It is essential.”

Speakers recounted families moving into Jacobson’s attendance area specifically for its ELD program and said the school regularly enrolls students…