Parents and community urge Higley USD to preserve Mandarin dual-immersion and elementary electives
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Summary
Multiple parents and community members told the board the Mandarin dual-immersion program and elementary electives are at risk with further budget cuts; speakers warned program losses would reduce enrollment advantages and urged prioritizing classrooms and staff over internal disputes.
Several parents and community members used the public-comment period to urge the Higley Unified School District governing board to protect the Mandarin dual-immersion program and other elementary electives threatened by proposed budget reductions.
"The Mandarin dual immersion language program represents a competitive advantage that sets HUSD apart from other schools," said Sam Warren, a Coronado Elementary parent. He warned that further cuts would shrink jobs and could eliminate elementary band, orchestra, art, library/media technology and music, and put free full-day kindergarten at risk.
Other speakers echoed that priority. Anne Borowski, who identified herself as an educator and parent, told the board: "Pulling the Mandarin program from our kids, for any reason, is an injustice," and said phasing or combining classes would be a better alternative if budget reductions are required.
Travis White described the district’s recent budget actions and urged the board to focus on funding and enrollment, not seating disputes: he said the district cut $5,000,000 and 80 positions and warned that spending time on nonbudget issues detracts from passing a bond override needed to sustain programs.
Why it matters: Board members and staff repeatedly referenced the district’s need to balance program priorities while managing a multi-million-dollar budget and upcoming bond/override decisions. Parents said losing DLI would harm enrollment and the district’s competitive standing and asked the board to preserve electives that support well-rounded elementary education.
Board response and next steps: The board allowed public comment but did not take immediate action to change program status during the meeting. Speakers were encouraged to engage with staff and the board outside the meeting; staff noted timing constraints related to electioneering rules when discussing the bond in public meetings.
What wasn’t decided: No motion or vote regarding program funding or cuts occurred at the meeting; board members requested follow-up information on budget priorities and asked staff to provide additional detail where requested.
