The Maricopa Unified School District announced Wednesday The Menta Group will not be seeking rental space in the district in the upcoming school year.
On Tuesday the district issued a press release calling on the public to address the governing board during its July 10 meeting on the matter because the board was considering renting space at either Desert Wind Middle School or Maricopa Wells Middle School to the program.
Superintendent Steve Chestnut said Wednesday the district is regrouping and Menta “is not interested in pursuing (a contract) at this time,” adding it may be back for the 2014-15 school year.
The Menta Group is a nonprofit organization that provides educational and social needs programming for special education students.
The move does not impact any existing special education programs currently in the district, Chestnut said.
Previously the board delayed a decision on renting 13,000 square feet on the second-floor at Desert Wind to house the program amid parental concern students in the program would mix with the regular student population.
The next school board meeting is 6 p.m. at MUSD administrative offices, 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.
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