As rain poured outside Irving Elementary School in Mesa, Arizona, the atmosphere inside the classrooms was far from gloomy. Elementary students, creatively dressed as 100-year-olds, engaged in various activities to mark Mesa Public Schools’ 100th day of the academic year.

Academic Progress and Ratings

With more than half the school year completed, Superintendent Dr. Andi Fourlis shared some noteworthy achievements. The district boasts 27 ‘A’-rated schools and 25 ‘B’-rated schools out of its 81 total schools. Impressively, 12 schools have improved their ratings to ‘A’ this year. While acknowledging that students are testing around the state average, the district aims to surpass these standards.

Educational Goals for the Year

Dr. Fourlis outlined key goals for the current academic year, including improving graduation rates by 2% to achieve an 83% graduation rate. Additionally, the district aims to enhance the proficiency of students who are already proficient, pushing them towards higher levels of achievement.

Embracing Artificial Intelligence in Education

A notable shift observed by Dr. Fourlis in the current academic year is the increased integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. While the district embraces AI to enhance learning experiences, they emphasize the importance of setting boundaries to ensure its appropriate usage. The focus is on utilizing AI to increase efficiency, reduce redundancies, and create more time for creative teaching and addressing individual student needs.

Enrollment Trends and Funding Challenges

The 100th day of school holds significance for public school districts, as it involves headcounts, enrollment assessments, and funding calculations. Mesa Public Schools has experienced a decline in enrollment over the past few years, currently serving over 55,200 K-12 students compared to 61,500 in 2019. Factors contributing to this decline include being ‘landlocked’ and facing challenges that rapidly growing districts in other regions do not encounter.

Addressing Declining Enrollment

Dr. Fourlis recognizes the challenge posed by declining enrollment and attributes it to an aging population and fewer families with larger numbers of children. This issue is not unique to Mesa, as other districts like Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) face similar concerns. Conversations with the governing board are underway to address master facility planning and potential strategies to counter the impact of declining enrollment.

Funding Dilemmas and Future Plans

Looking to the future, Dr. Fourlis expresses gratitude for community support in approving the budget override, primarily allocated to staff salaries. However, the community’s slight rejection of the bond in November prompts a pause on projects, including the modernization of older schools. The district plans to go for another bond, but the timing remains uncertain pending discussions with the governing board and alignment with the master facility plan.

Planning for the Future

As the district navigates these challenges, Dr. Fourlis emphasizes the importance of thoughtful planning, including sizing the square footage appropriately to accommodate the number of students. School closure is considered a last resort, and strategies will be explored to address the evolving needs of the community and education system.

Navigating Challenges and Looking Ahead

In concluding remarks, Dr. Fourlis reflects on the ongoing school year, expressing gratitude for community support and highlighting upcoming initiatives. The district plans to implement a ‘Graduation Plus’ model, providing students with knowledge and experiences beyond a diploma, such as college credits or work-based learning opportunities. As Mesa Public Schools adapts to changing demographics and embraces technological advancements, the journey forward involves strategic planning and community collaboration.