Hoffecker: Why school board election is so important
Posted
Rich Hoffecker | Scottsdale
Scottsdale Unified School District’s science proficiency scores have plummeted by 24% since 2019. Less than 50% of eighth grade students are proficient at math. In the Coronado Learning Community, that number shrinks to 12%. Yet, the district graduates 94% of students. How is this preparing students for success?
Most would think that SUSD, an organization with nearly a half billion-dollar annual budget, would be laser-focused on the root cause of academic decline, but we would be mistaken. Instead, Superintendent Scott Menzel, who has a stated plan to “disrupt and dismantle systems,” has prioritized “social justice” and DEI over academic achievement.
Under Menzel’s watch, spending on student instruction is at an all-time low as a percent of the district’s budget, dropping 9.1% from 2004. Based on the 2023-2024 budget of $458 million, the redirection of funds away from academics represents a $41.7 million loss to teachers, curriculum and items that have a direct impact on academics.
Spending on social workers and support staff has increased to historical highs, while at the same time, 20 teaching positions, seven reading specialists and 4.5 math specialists have been eliminated.
Recognizing the academic decline, parents are finding alternatives to SUSD schools. Enrollment has decreased by over 1,500 students in the past four years, reducing the federal, state, and local funding allocation by more than $11 million per year. As opposed to correcting the problems to regain the trust and confidence of the community so that families want to send their kids, SUSD continually campaigns for additional funding through bonds, overrides, and new taxes, ignoring the reasons for the shortfalls.
As the terms of the three pro-Menzel, rubber stamp school board members are thankfully ending, we must take this opportunity to bring common sense back to SUSD. The three candidates who are intent on returning the district’s focus to quality academics are Grethen Jacobs, Jeanne Beasley and Drew Hassler. Learn more at SUSDstrong.com.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
