Mesa schools turn to unconventional partners amid enrollment declines and budget pressures

MESA, Ariz. — Declining enrollment, the expansion of charter schools, and the rise of Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) are reshaping traditional public education across the state—forcing some districts to close schools and lay off staff. 

But Mesa, the largest school district in Arizona, is taking a different approach.

Facing financial strain and shifting student populations, Mesa Public Schools is leaning into partnerships that blur the lines between public and alternative education models.

One example is the Bezos Academy, a tuition-free preschool network with locations across the country. 

This school year, Mesa welcomed three Bezos Academy sites within its own campuses, offering full-day, year-round preschool to about 180 children ages 3 to 5.

The district is also preparing to lease space to Polaris Academy, a private K-12 school for autistic students. 

Polaris receives funding through ESA vouchers, a program that allows families to use public funds for private education expenses.

These efforts build on existing programs like the Eagleridge Enrichment Program, which serves roughly 700 homeschool students in west Mesa who utilize ESA funding.

Mesa Superintendent Matt Strong says the district is adapting to a new educational landscape after losing roughly 20,000 students over the past two decades. 

The current population is about 53,000 students.

“It’s pretty natural to say we embrace the school choice market,” Strong said.

Strong, who began his career in public education as a janitor at age 18 before becoming a teacher, coach, and eventually superintendent, said flexibility is key to keeping the district financially stable.

“This is the rules of the game at this point…how do we stay as flexible as possible to maintain as much revenue coming as we possibly can,” he said. “In the end, we’re a people business, and 90 percent of our money…gets spent on people who help kids.”

Despite these efforts, Strong emphasized that Mesa—like other traditional public school districts—continues to face significant funding challenges. 

Arizona ranks near the bottom nationally in education spending.

“It’s a piecemeal approach. Every little bit helps,” Strong said. “But put it in perspective: We have $1.4 billion in unmet capital needs in this district. Billion, as in B.”

Local voters have helped offset some of those gaps by approving budget overrides, which have allowed Mesa to offer relatively competitive teacher salaries—averaging about $66,000 annually, among the highest in the state, Strong said.

“We’re just super grateful for the citizens of Mesa supporting us,” Strong said.

Looking ahead, the district may ask voters to approve a bond measure in November to address long-term capital needs, including infrastructure and facility improvements, he said.

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