As a recently retired SUSD principal I know firsthand that Scottsdale Unified School District will only benefit from continuing on the success trajectory it has been on since the hiring of Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel.
Upon his arrival, Dr. Menzel and his team navigated COVID restrictions and wasted no time to create a strategic plan, something Scottsdale lacked. The strategic plan led to the COGNIA Accreditation, and the distinction of being known globally as a high-performing district.
Just this week Dr. Menzel was awarded the Arizona School Administrators National Superintendent of the Year. He would be the first to say that this award is possible because of the entire district’s leadership team, and that the strategic plan is transparent and focused on student achievement, school safety and attracting and retaining the best teachers.
Stability and consistency have kept SUSD moving forward and outperforming neighboring districts. Letter grades have risen, and the schools’ unique programs, such as STEM, the arts and International Baccalaureate Program, are tops in the state and country. Special education has also stabilized with consistent leadership. Stability and consistency have been sorely lacking in the district for two decades. Prior to Dr. Menzel there have been more than 10 superintendents in just 15 years.
We all know that SUSD needs stability and continuity. Why then would governing board candidates Beasley, Jacobs and Hassler make it clear that they intend to fire Dr. Menzel? Not only does it cost taxpayer dollars to buy out one contract, and search for another superintendent, but it also wastes valuable learning time in an unstable environment.
I support Mike Sharkey, Donna Lewis and Matt Pettinsky because the stability Dr. Menzel brings breeds success. These candidates will make decisions based on data, performance and facts, not politics or personal agendas. I congratulate Dr. Menzel and the SUSD team for their stellar performance.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
