Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Mesa board approves $1.3 million one‑year allocation to preserve elementary specials while study continues
Summary
Mesa Public Schools governing board approved a one‑year, $1.3 million carry‑forward allocation to support elementary special areas — including music — while a design team reworks a longer‑term plan amid a projected 1,800‑student enrollment decline and district staffing cuts.
The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board voted 5–0 on Jan. 28 to allocate $1.3 million from the district's carry‑forward funds for the 2025–26 school year to help sustain elementary special‑area offerings while staff continue work on a longer term plan. The board's decision follows a packed study session and extensive public comment about proposed changes to elementary special areas, particularly music.
The allocation buys a single additional year to implement options the district's design team will refine. Superintendent Doctor Forliss told the board the district is preparing for a projected decline of 1,800 students in 2025–26 and must reduce payroll by roughly $18,000,000 to balance its budget. He emphasized the decision was intended to preserve instructional time in English language arts and mathematics while the design team refines special‑area offerings.
Why it matters: Parents, teachers and students repeatedly told the board…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
