Mesa board approves $1.3 million one‑year allocation to preserve elementary specials while study continues

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 the community values general music and library time. Hundreds of people signed up for public comment and dozens of students and families described music and library as pivotal supports for learning, social connection and future academic success. Board members said the carry‑forward allocation is a short‑term measure to allow additional stakeholder input and further design work for 2026–27.

What was proposed and what will change: The design team presented three options at a Jan. 14 study session and returned with refinements on Jan. 28. The options vary in how general music, band, orchestra, choir, media center (library) and physical education would be scheduled and how many full‑time equivalent positions would be funded directly at school sites versus centrally. The district said the design team prioritized uninterrupted core instructional time for ELA and math and sought to keep district staffing ratios (approximately 50% certified, 48% classified, 2% administrative) stable while reducing a net of about 147 district‑level positions in the current proposal.

How the one‑year money will be used: The board action directs the use of up to $1.3 million from carry forward for 2025–26 to preserve special‑area staffing at the elementary level while the design team conducts a broader, more inclusive review to be implemented beginning in 2026–27. Board members and staff emphasized the allocation is one‑time money; they said recurring costs would require a different funding source.

Next steps and outstanding questions: The design team will reconvene with expanded membership to include classroom teachers, resource specialists and site leaders, and will return options to the board with implementation recommendations for the 2026–27 school year. Board members asked for clearer, ongoing reporting to the public on outcomes of the design team's work, and staff said they will provide progress updates.

Board response and public reaction: Board members said they understood the difficulty of balancing budget constraints with community priorities. Dr. Forliss told the board: “We have a projected decline of 1,800 students for the 25–26 school year.” Members repeatedly cited community emails and public comment urging preservation of general music and library time.

What the board did tonight: The governing board approved the one‑year $1.3 million carry‑forward allocation for elementary special areas. The board record shows the motion passed 5–0.

Context to watch: The district also has $1.9 million set aside for meet‑and‑confer and governing‑board priorities; the board's decision leaves that amount available for other bargaining or priorities. Because the $1.3 million is one‑time carry‑forward money, administrators said the design team must finalize a sustainable plan if the district is to avoid recurring budget gaps.