Mesa Public Schools reveals details about how many jobs it plans to cut

PHOENIX – The state’s largest public school district released new details about its previously announced plan for layoffs.

Mesa Public Schools is proposing the elimination of 147 district-level positions, including three administrators, along with 42.2 certified staff, a category that includes teachers.

The cuts represent 1.1% of the district’s certified staff, according to updates made Monday to a budget and staffing fact sheet for the 2025-26 school year.

The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board is scheduled to consider the layoff plan at a Tuesday evening meeting.

Why is Mesa Public Schools reducing staff?

According to the fact sheet, the district faces a projected $16.7 million budget deficit due to declining enrollment.

The district expects to lose 1,800 students from its approximately 80 campuses in the next school year, and state funding levels are based on enrollment.

In addition, costs for utilities, supplies and health insurance are on the rise, adding to the shortfall.

Nearly 90% of the Mesa Public Schools budget goes toward staff pay and benefits, leaving little room elsewhere to make cuts.

Public district and charter schools across Arizona have been grappling with declining enrollment since Republican lawmakers made all students eligible for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA), the state’s voucher program, in 2022.

According to the Arizona Department of Education, more than 85,000 students are signed up to receive public ESA funds to pay for private school or homeschool expenses.

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