Littlefield: It’s time for a change in SUSD leadership

When my husband Bob and I moved back to Scottsdale in 1984 we wanted to be sure we bought a home located in the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD). I am a product of Scottsdale schools (Ingleside and Arcadia Hight School) and I wanted my two young children to get the same high-quality education I did back when SUSD was a beacon of academic excellence.

Unfortunately, things have changed since I went to SUSD, and not for the better. Currently, SUSD enrolls only about half of the children within the city’s boundaries. In the past year alone 500 students left the district, and since 2021, over 2,200 students have withdrawn, resulting in an annual revenue loss estimated at $16 million.

A look at SUSD’s academic achievement data reveals deeper issues. Only 48% of the 2023 graduating class were proficient in reading, math and science, despite a 93% graduation rate. Specifically, just 25% of seniors were proficient in science.

The cause of these problems? Simple: poor leadership at the top. SUSD needs Governing Board members who will prioritize academic excellence and eliminate distractions that hinder student learning and teacher effectiveness. It is also vital that Governing Board members see parents as crucial partners in their children’s education and respect parents as the ultimate decision-makers for their children.

 I am encouraged about a group of school board candidates running in the November General Election who are committed to these goals. Gretchen Jacobs, Jeanne Beasley, and Drew Hassler, all parents of current and former SUSD students, professionals and active community members, are dedicated to refocusing SUSD on academic excellence. Their leadership offers hope for restoring trust in Scottsdale’s public schools and strengthening our community.  You can find more information about their campaigns and about how you can help on their web site at susdstrong.com. 

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