Ellis: Concerns about superintendent’s record and board candidate’s impartiality

Two of my children attended and graduated from Cherokee, Cocopah and Chaparral. My youngest is currently a sophomore at Chaparral High School. My wife and I are strong supporters of public schools, but have been frustrated by the decline of our schools in the last five years and the lack of leadership at the district.

Question 1: When the SUSD Board was contemplating a two-year extension to Superintendent Scott Menzel's contract in an election year, why did the Independent choose not to cite the facts of his tenure, including declining enrollment, declining test scores and declining teacher seniority? Chaparral High School, the once flagship public school in the state, has had their enrollment decrease from over 2,400 students in 2019 to 1,781 for the 2024/2025 school year. These are facts, not opinions.

Question 2: Will the Independent write an article that discusses Matt Pittinsky's conflict of interest? Shouldn’t all voters know that an individual running to be on the SUSD Governing Board is the CEO of a company with a direct business relationship with SUSD? Why would anyone believe that Mr. Pittinsky could remain impartial, when Superintendent Menzel has significant influence on the continuation of his business' consulting contract and his personal enrichment?

Both of these issues seem like Journalism 101 to me.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.