Attorney General: Scottsdale, You Should've Followed @Alegalprocess
After 2 years, the AG finally issues a closing letter on my Open Meeting Law complaint against SUSD...finding that I was right along.
First, click photo below or this link for video, especially for the audience snickering…that’s the sound of sycophancy.
Reprinting my statement on Twitter(X) this morning re: my 248-page Open Meeting Law complaint filed with the Attorney General against Scottsdale Unified School District. Minimal edits added. This is a special victory for me - as SUSD’s chronic and pervasive violations of Open Meeting Laws is what first made me look up from my corporate legal practice to pay more attention to local school issues. I’m looking forward to moving on with other interests, but do encourage other parents to use their professional skills, talents and enthusiasm to keep the pressure on schools to stay accountable.
If you’d like a copy of the original complaint, the diligence report, or the AG’s closing letter to SUSD, just directly reach out to me via Substack.
After a 2-yr investigation, AG finds SUSD, under new Superintendent, was engaged in systemic, pervasive closed-door practices in violation of law. SUSD Board and Superintendent violated OML w/respect to 5 allegations:
Textbook/Curriculum Adoption committees
Superintendent Menzel's 5-Year Strategic Plan Committee
Superintendent Menzel's secretive "subcommittee" system
Superintendent Menzel's private "2x2x1" mtgs w/board and staff to avoid public meeting
Superintendent Menzel's unagendized "Current Events" reports
SUSD has agreed to discontinue these practices and must submit revised OML training materials consistent with these findings for AG prior approval.
With this AG closing letter, I look forward to greater transparency and openness in Scottsdale. For far too long, SUSD has worked in secret, shutting out parents, in violation of law. The AG has investigated.
Now there must be a leadership change.
This superintendent hired in 2020 designed and implemented these closed-door practices, resulting in over $3.3M in textbook adoptions and a 5-year strategic plan - and he should be held accountable.
The 5-year strategic plan, specifically, is wholly tainted with these findings. It was introduced and developed in private, not open to public scrutiny, and does not reflect the full range of opinions in the Scottsdale community. It should be repealed and a new strategic plan adopted - under new leadership.
While I do not agree with all the AG conclusions in the closing letter, particularly with regarding intentionality (especially since the board was trained on OML and had a lawyer on staff) and the the AG's decision to NOT nullify the strategic plan, I respect the AG's careful, diligent review of all the allegations.
End.
As always, thank you for your diligent and effective work on behalf of our community’s children. It’s increasingly noted and always appreciated.