The Mesa Public Schools board voted 4-1 to approve the reduction-in-force plan that would eliminate or involuntarily relocate staff to other schools.
The district says staffing will remain at a 25-to-1 student-to-staff member ratio for the 2026-27 school year.
“These are people, they need to buy groceries, they have families, and I take that very seriously,” said Susan Jenni, executive director of human resources for the district.
The move reduces teaching positions based on student interest and population. Some positions will be relocated to different schools involuntarily.
Under state law, the district is not allowed to use seniority as a factor in employment decisions, and all changes in positions require governing board approval.
In fall 2025 the board made reductions to senior-level positions that resulted in over $3.5 million in savings. Even with these cuts, the district found that more cuts were still necessary.
Principals will discuss changes with staff and ask for volunteers to change schools or positions. Teachers will be guaranteed an interview for consideration.
Superintendent Michael Strom said he has been through a process like this in his time as a high school teacher. He said certain departments, such as special education, always need teachers, and the district would help teachers get other certifications.
“I want people to hear that there are programs that can help you land and there are places for you,” said Strom.
Others were concerned about the potential response to staff cuts.
“If we are not responsive to our community, this is going to get worse,” said board member Sharon Benson.
Benson said she was concerned about cutting staff and classes, leading to an increase in declining enrollment and to a further loss of funding. “I am really concerned that district leadership needs to be listening to parents. The taxpayers are our bosses. We’ve got to listen to them,” Benson said.
Benson suggested a reduction of salary instead of a reduction in positions to ensure parents and students still have access to the classes and curriculum they need. She was the only member of the board to vote against the staff reduction.
“All of these decisions make it really hard and heavy, but we want to do the best for our community,” said board President Courtney Davis.
The reduction in force plan will go into effect beginning in fall 2026 for the school year.
To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).
Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.
Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.
Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.
Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.
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