Jacobs: A call for transparency, accountability in SUSD

As candidates planning to run for the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) Governing Board, we, Gretchen Jacobs, Jeanne Beasley and Drew Hassler, firmly believe that honesty is what our community both desires and deserves from their elected officials. Our campaign, summarized by the initials JBH (Just Be Honest), aims to bring a new era of transparency, accountability and integrity to SUSD.

JBH is more than just a catchy phrase; it's a commitment to you, the voter, to remember us —Jacobs, Beasley and Hassler — as candidates dedicated to these principles in the non-partisan SUSD School Board election on Nov. 5.

We are parents, professionals and community leaders who have a vested interest in the success of our district, having educated our own children within SUSD. Our mission is to ensure that every decision made is in the best interest of our students and teachers.

It is crucial to elect strong leaders who are willing to address the real issues facing our Scottsdale schools today. One of the pressing issues we must confront is the decline in academic achievement scores within SUSD. Preliminary state testing scores for the 2023-24 school year again show another drop in math and other core subjects. Addressing this decline requires honest discussions and practical strategies to reverse this downward trend.

Another critical area needing transparency is our district's budget of nearly a half-billion dollars. It is imperative to allocate these taxpayer dollars effectively, ensuring that resources directly benefit students and teachers.

Your vote on Nov 5 for JBH (Jacobs, Beasley and Hassler) is a vote for honesty, transparency and a commitment to making our schools the best they can be. To learn more about us, visit susdstrong.com.

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