While turmoil continues over possible school closures, the Scottsdale Unified School District collectively “aced” state tests.

According to new grades 3-11 assessment test scores released by the Arizona Department of Education, SUSD students are leading the way.

“With 62% passing overall in English Language Arts and 58% in math (combining all grade levels) … we’re the top public school district in Maricopa County in both ELA and math,” said Kristine Harrington, the district’s chief communications and information officer.

She noted those scores topped all districts with at least 10,000 students.

Across the state, over a half million students took the ELA test, with only 40% passing; math was even more dismal, with only 33% passing.

“Academic excellence is our top priority,” said SUSD Superintendent Scott Menzel.

“We are especially focused on increasing math achievement for every student … our focus is to ensure each student has the skills, opportunities, and support needed to thrive in school and beyond.”

At its Oct. 7 meeting, in addition to moving forward on a plan that may close (or “repurpose”) two schools, the SUSD Governing Board approved a performance-based play plan for its leader.

The pay plan for Menzel – and scheduling a Nov. 13 public hearing “regarding the potential closures/repurposing of Echo Canyon K-8 School and Pima Elementary School” both passed by 3-2 votes.

First-year board members Donna Lewis, Matt Pittinsky and Mike Sharkey backed the two measures; veteran board members Amy Carney and Carine Werner unsuccessfully opposed both. 

“I did not agree with, nor vote to approve, the superintendent’s contract extension in 2024 because it was brought forward without a board discussion on its merits before the offer was made,” Carney told the Progress.

She noted the contract states the board may award up to 20% of Menzel’s salary as performance pay, “meaning the board has the choice to offer this or not.

“At a time when our district is facing budget cuts and discussing the closure or repurposing of schools, it’s simply not responsible to offer such a large potential bonus,” Carney said, via email.

“Our financial decisions should reflect our priorities in keeping resources focused on students, teachers, and classrooms.”

Menzel can top his $225,000 salary with an additional $45,000 if the district hits all the goals approved by the board.

Thirty percent of his bonus potential comes in the financial category: “Lead the district to a sound long-term budgeting plan. This is a subjective goal to be evaluated by the board.”

If the next two annual budgets do not yield a substantial savings, Menzel receives no bonus in this category.

To get the full 30% of the total bonus on this goal, or $13,500, he must provide “decisions that will yield benefits for two or more years down the road.”

If SUSD elementary through high school enrollment increases by at least 2% at the 100-day mark in 2026, Menzel will get 15% of the total bonus, or $6,750.

For Menzel to land 40% of the bonus, or $18,000, students must increase math and English Language Arts proficiency scores on state tests by 2%. This goal is split into 10 sub-goals over various grade levels.

Menzel will also receive 15% of the bonus total, or $6,750, for a very modest goal – increasing employee retention by a mere .49%, from 84.51% to 85%.

Goldwater study

Around here, the Goldwater Institute is best known for taking the City of Scottsdale to court – with varying suits ranging from  swimming pool rights and taxes.

On May 30, the Goldwater Institute, backing Scottsdale residents Robert Marc Stamper and Gretchen Jacobs (the latter failed in a run for the SUSD board last year), sued the City of Scottsdale.

Goldwater argues the city sales tax approved by 58% of voters last year failed to win a 60% “supermajority.”

The city insists no supermajority was needed on this vote.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Adele Ponce heard arguments made by Goldwater and city attorneys Aug. 29.

According to Luis Santaella, Scottsdale’s interim city attorney, “As for the timeline on an expected decision, the court has not provided any specific dates.”

Taking time off from battling the city of Scottsdale, the Goldwater Institute published an article titled “The Hidden Costs of Arizona’s School Superintendents.”

In an online introduction, the institute boasted the author of the article, Christopher Thomas, “uncovers the hidden benefits and perks that dramatically inflate superintendent compensation.”

“For taxpayers, the secrecy should set off alarms,” Thomas said.

Bullet points include:

  • “While superintendent base salaries average approximately $215,000 a year, taxpayers are charged up to $490,000 per superintendent after accounting for other lucrative perks. 
  • “Taxpayers pay up to $1,250 per month for some;superintendents to receive monthly ‘car allowances,’ a price large enough to lease a Corvette or purchase a brand-new vehicle roughly every two-three years.
  • “Dozens of districts are double charging taxpayers for superintendents’ retirement packages, funding private retirement accounts on top of their already generous state pension benefits.
  • “One superintendent — Jeremy Calles, of the Tolleson Union High School District — is making nearly half a million dollars per year. That’s over $100,000 more than any other superintendent in Arizona— even though his district ranks only 16th in size and posts mediocre academic results.”

According to the article, SUSD’s enrollment in 2024 was 20,645; like other districts around the Valley, Scottsdale Unified’s student count continues to fall, nearly every year.

For 2025, Menzel’s salary is $225,000 – with a $45,000 potential “performance-based pay” package.

In addition to a monthly car allowance of $700, Menzel gets 16 “general leave days” and 20 vacation days – more than a month off of paid leave per year.

Menzel’s total potential earnings, including $20,000 in retirement pay and a no-strings-attached “annual stipend” of $15,929: $314,329.

Compared to Menzel and SUSD, though Deer Valley Unified School District is significantly larger, with 32,000-plus students, its superintendent (Curtis Finch) has a lower base salary $221,400 and lower potential total, $290,505.

And, though Menzel’s base salary is lower than the $245,000 earned by Mesa Unified School District Superintendent Matthew Strom – Menzel’s total potential compensation package is a notch higher than Strom’s $306,050.

Mesa’s enrollment of 55,000–plus is well over twice SUSD’s.

Though his total compensation package is lower than Chandler (41,349 enrollment) and Peoria (34,373) superintendents, Menzel is in line to make more than the Gilbert (31,508) and Paradise Valley (26,164) leaders.

PRR grade

On its spreadsheet, Goldwater also has a column for “Public Records Grade,” – given out based on how quickly the Goldwater’s public records request was fulfilled and any “resistance” from the district.

SUSD and Menzel aced this, scoring an A.

In this category, several districts and superintendents received D grades, including Chandler and Phoenix Union.

Tolleson, referenced above, led the pack of F grades handed out by Goldwater for compliance in providing