SE Valley Times

A proposed plan for elementary specials, crafted by a Mesa Public Schools Design team, was presented to the Governing Board on January 14, 2025. The team's objective was to redesign specials such as art, music, PE, and media center to maximize uninterrupted instructional time in English Language Arts (ELA) and math. The team was not tasked with reducing the budget. Further discussions on options for the specials model for the school year 2025-26 at the K-6 level will take place during the Governing Board meeting on January 28, 2025.

Concerns have arisen regarding potential cuts in music programs within Mesa Public Schools. However, it has been clarified that music offerings will remain available on every campus. Choir and violin programs were never part of district-level programming at the elementary level but have been supported through various innovative funding solutions by individual schools.

The design team's work focused solely on elementary levels; thus, no changes are being made to music, choir, band, or orchestra at secondary levels. Staffing decisions are based on student enrollment and interest.

Mesa Public Schools is experiencing declining enrollment due to demographic factors such as low birth rates and high housing costs. This decline is expected to result in approximately 1,800 fewer students next year and a reduction of about 30 teachers at the elementary level. Consequently, there will be fewer sections of electives or specials needed.

The design team was established last year upon request from school leaders to create a revised model prioritizing uninterrupted instructional time in ELA and math while ensuring consistency across schools. The allocation of special teachers has been adjusted according to lower student enrollment.

In April 2024, a design team comprising seven elementary principals, two principal interns, two department specialists, four directors, and two assistant superintendents gathered to represent various departments including Special Education and Arts Education.

The current proposal does not require additional funding but includes reductions in staffing for music teachers alongside art and PE staff reductions this year and next year.

Franklin schools' unique curriculum allows them to continue offering music twice a week without participating in art classes during regular hours. Other schools may see more specials teachers working across multiple campuses compared to previous years.

Mesa Public Schools continues exploring site-based decision-making flexibility through monthly Small Schools Communities of Practice meetings.

Special education students will receive necessary accommodations for participation in band and orchestra programs from grades four through six.

The district's media center curriculum supports grade-level learning by exposing students to different literature genres along with research skills development among other areas.

PE is mandated statewide but without specific weekly requirements; however Mesa's proposal suggests offering it twice weekly across K-6 grades where feasible under existing guidelines followed by specialty/choice institutions like Highland Arts School maintaining their distinctive models including general music instruction alongside innovative projects like Music Innovation classes offered at select locations integrating cross-curricular standards into lessons taught there too often involving technology-driven creative pursuits reflecting diverse musical traditions worldwide even exploring electronic soundscapes produced collaboratively between peers involved throughout process-based educational experiences provided therein overall setting apart those enrolled therein enjoying benefits derived thereby ultimately benefiting entire community served collectively shared vision realized together mutually beneficial outcomes achieved over time incrementally progressively building stronger 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