Mesa Public Schools is set to cut dozens of jobs to address a projected budget shortfall as student enrollment declines.
This latest announcement follows staff reductions made earlier this year. In February, 42 certified staffers were laid off and 147 district level positions were set for elimination ahead of the new school year.
Now, an organizational redesign is also underway. Superintendent Matt Strom said in a video that “this is not a decision we take lightly.”
He said 43 administrative and certified specialist jobs will be cut to help save more than $3 million.
“In the last three years, our student population has decreased by nearly 3,400 students,” Strom said. “Projections for the next three years show a further decline of approximately 4,900 students.”
He says that, coupled with the low state funding and uncertainty in federal funding, there’s now a projected budget shortfall of $9 to $18 million for next school year.
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