Parents, students and staff urge Phoenix Elementary board not to end ASU Prep lease

The Phoenix Elementary School District board on Jan. 9 heard condensed versions of more than 100 written comments urging it not to terminate the lease that allows ASU Preparatory Academy to operate at the Filmore campus.

Board President Jessica Bueno called the meeting to order at 11:34 a.m. and presided over the public-comment summary read aloud by district staff. Commenters included students, teachers, staff and parents who said ending the lease would disrupt student communities, long-standing teacher–student relationships and family logistics.

The comments were grouped by topic and read aloud. In the “student experience” category one commenter, Aurora Dodge, read in part: “Dear members of the board, please don't go and end the lease contract on our building.” Several student writers described the Filmore campus as central to friendships and continuity; one student, Roosevelt Best, said switching schools would be disruptive and added the lease issue could affect the start of the 2026-27 school year, saying, “I don't want to lose my school… I have been attending this school since I was in kindergarten.”

Teachers and staff who submitted comments asked the board to allow more time for community input before deciding on the lease. Victoria Barrera, identified as a staff member, urged the board to “thoughtfully consider the perspectives of individuals who will be significantly affected by the proposal to terminate the lease,” and Andrea Dominguez Mendoza, a teacher, thanked the district for the partnership and said the initiative had “brought a fresh start to our community.”

Parents described logistical and emotional impacts if ASU Prep moved. Prudence Crosswhite said her child with an individualized education program has made academic and behavioral progress at ASU Prep, and Melissa Nevarez described the school as important to her family. Several parents urged the board to hold additional public input before making a decision about renewing or terminating the lease.

District staff told the board they had collected and categorized more than 100 comments and that those full communications would be shared with board members. The reader reported 36 comments in a category about playground and lunch/recess, 99 comments in a broader “student experience” category, and additional comments from staff and parents; the district did not specify the full text of every submission during the meeting.

Separately, the board approved routine business. President Jessica Bueno moved to adopt the meeting agenda as presented; Vice President Carmen Trujillo seconded the motion and the roll call vote was recorded as Jessica Bueno — aye; Erica Valle — aye; Carmen Trujillo — aye. Later the board approved the consent agenda on a motion by Bueno, seconded by Trujillo; the roll call was Jessica Bueno — aye; Erica Valle — abstain; Carmen Trujillo — aye, and the motion passed by majority vote.

The board adjourned at 11:54 a.m.; Bueno moved to adjourn, Trujillo seconded, and the board recorded unanimous ayes. Board members announced the next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21 at 5:15 p.m. at the district office.

The meeting included a tribal land acknowledgement and required public-meeting notices under Arizona statute ARS 38-431.01, which the district cited when explaining limits on action resulting from public comment. The district did not announce a decision on the ASU Prep lease during the meeting and said full comment records would be provided to the board for further consideration.