Superintendent Menzel's Blog

Dear SUSD Families,

Fall is here, and as we approach the end of the first quarter, October brings several important moments for our Scottsdale Unified School District community.

On October 6, our Governing Board is likely to make its final decision regarding Phase II school repurposing. We know this will not be easy. These conversations involve much more than buildings, boundaries, and enrollment numbers, as evidenced during the public hearing on September 22nd.

I want to thank everyone who attended our September 22 public hearing and made their voice heard. Hearing stories of how deeply our schools have impacted the lives of students and families was powerful. It is a testament to our teachers, staff and school communities, and a reminder of the important role our schools play throughout Scottsdale.

As we approach the October 6 meeting, I encourage our community to review the data, presentations, community feedback and other information that has informed this process on our School Repurposing & Enrollment Review webpage.

We remain committed to transparency and to keeping our focus where it belongs: on creating full and thriving schools that provide exceptional opportunities for every student.

Staying Connected to Student Success

October also marks the close of our first quarter and an important opportunity for families to connect with teachers.

Parent-teacher conferences are one valuable way to have those conversations, but communication between school and home should never be limited to a conference date. Ask questions. Celebrate progress. Talk about challenges. Reach out to teachers and school staff when you need support. Strong partnerships between families and schools make a meaningful difference in student success.

October Gives Us Much to Recognize

This month also provides many opportunities to recognize the people who make our schools special and reaffirm the kind of community we want to be.

• National Principals Month, we celebrate the school leaders who support students, staff and families every day. They are at the heart of their school communities, building relationships with families, supporting teachers and staff, and creating the conditions where students can learn, grow and succeed. We are grateful for their leadership and the many ways they show up for their school communities each day.
• Learning Disabilities Awareness Month reminds us that students learn in different ways and that every student deserves the opportunity and support to reach their potential.
• National Bullying Prevention Month, we recommit to creating environments where each person is met with kindness, acceptance and inclusion.
• National School Lunch Week, October 12–16, also gives us an opportunity to recognize our incredible Nutrition Services employees. While the national observance happens to coincide with SUSD’s Fall Break this year, our appreciation does not take a break. These dedicated employees nourish thousands of students every school day and play an important role in ensuring students are ready to learn.
• National School Bus Safety Week, October 19–23, also gives us an opportunity to recognize our Transportation team and remind all of us of our shared responsibility to keep students safe on and around our buses.
• October is also Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and this year our message is especially important for students and staff alike: cybersecurity is not simply an IT issue. It is a people issue. I encourage you to read more in this month’s SUSD IT Blog about the steps each of us can take to protect ourselves, our devices and our school district

As we head toward Fall Break, I am grateful for another strong quarter of learning collaboration across SUSD. Whether we are navigating difficult decisions, supporting a student or taking the time to connect and celebrate one another… our collective actions matter.

Please remember that Friday, October 9, is a full-day release for students so our employees can participate in professional learning. Fall Break follows October 12–16. I hope our students, families and staff enjoy the opportunity to rest, recharge and spend time together.

Thank you,

Dr. Scott Menzel

Learn More at the Source

It is hard to believe we are already nearly a month into the 2026-27 school year. Across SUSD our students and staff are settling into their routines. I continue to be grateful for the enthusiasm and sense of possibility I see throughout our schools.

September will also be an important month for community conversation and engagement.

Investing in SUSD's Future

This week, we kick off a series of community informational meetings about SUSD's $375 million bond election, which will appear on the November 3 ballot.

If approved by voters, bond funding would support long-term capital needs including modernizing aging facilities, improving school safety, upgrading classroom technology, and replacing aging school buses. 

We invite our community to learn more and ask questions at one of our upcoming informational meetings:

• September 1: 6–7 p.m. - Coronado High School, Governing Board Room
• September 15:  6–7 p.m. - Desert Mountain High School, Library
• September 17:  6–7 p.m. - Saguaro High School, Auditorium
• September 23:  6–7 p.m. - Chaparral High School, Auditorium
• ·September 29: 6–7 p.m.  - Arcadia High School, Mt. Olympus

You can also review bond facts and frequently asked questions on our SUSD 2026 Bond Election webpage.

Phase II School Repurposing Conversations

Over the past several months, members of our Phase II Design Advisory Team have invested significant time reviewing enrollment, demographics, school capacity, finances, programming, community feedback and potential options. Their work and supporting materials have been shared publicly throughout this process and presented to the Governing Board as it prepares to make a final decision in October.

The District will hold a public hearing Tuesday, September 22, at 6 p.m. in the Desert Mountain High School auditorium, 12575 E. Via Linda. The hearing provides another opportunity for members of our community to provide input regarding potential school closures and resulting attendance boundary changes.

I encourage you to review the data, presentations, committee work, and other resources available on our School Repurposing & Enrollment Review webpage.

These are difficult conversations.  Each school is valued by the parents and staff in the respective communities, and while we would prefer not to close any schools, the demographic and financial realities require difficult decisions to ensure full and thriving schools in the future.  Our commitment throughout this process remains the same: to be transparent, listen carefully, and make decisions focused on providing strong academic opportunities for students while ensuring SUSD remains sustainable for generations to come.

A Season to Celebrate

September also brings one of my favorite parts of a new school year... seeing our students back on fields, courts, stages and engaged in activities across the District.

Fall athletics are getting underway, marching bands are filling stadiums with music, clubs are connecting students with their interests and with one another, and there is a renewed sense of school spirit across SUSD. 

These experiences are an important part of what makes school memorable and helps students develop a sense of belonging, teamwork, and leadership.

I look forward to celebrating our students this season, and every season, and hope to see many of you in the stands and around our schools.

As we head into Labor Day weekend, I hope our students, staff and families have an opportunity to enjoy some well-earned time together. Thank you for the strong start to the year and for continuing to be an important part of our SUSD community.

Dr. Scott Menzel

Welcome Back: A Legacy of Learning

Dear SUSD Families,

There is something special about the start of a new school year.

New teachers. New classrooms. New friendships. And maybe a little bit of nervousness mixed in with a whole lot of excitement!

This year, however, carries even greater meaning.

When our students return on Monday, August 10, they will begin the 130th school year of Scottsdale Unified School District.

Think about that for a moment. In 1896, SUSD began with one schoolhouse and a community that believed deeply in the power of education. One hundred and thirty years later, generations of students, educators, and families have helped build the district we know today.

That is why our theme this year is A Legacy of Learning.

Every student who walks through our doors this year is part of SUSD's story and our job is to make sure they leave us prepared to write the next chapter of their own.

Looking Forward

As proud as we are of our history, our eyes are firmly focused on the future. 

One of our most ambitious goals is in mathematics. By May 2030, we aim to increase the percentage of SUSD eighth graders successfully completing Algebra I or higher from 25% to 75%. Why? Because early success in algebra opens doors to advanced math, science, engineering and other opportunities in high school and beyond. More importantly, mathematics develops the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills our students will need in a rapidly changing world.

New Opportunities for Students and Families

The first day of the new school year will also be the first for the new Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale facility at Tonalea Middle School.

This beautiful new space represents what is possible when a community comes together around kids. Students will have access to hot evening meals, a Maker Space, art and education rooms, a media and podcasting studio, and performing arts opportunities all situated right on the Tonalea campus.

I am excited about what this partnership will mean for students and families.

Investing in SUSD's Future

This summer, the Phase II committee continued evaluating the three school repurposing options, including a comprehensive SWOT analysis, potential boundary changes, and feedback from parents, staff, and the community. The analysis will be shared with the Governing Board in mid-August, followed by discussion on September 8, a required public hearing on September 22, and a planned final decision on October 6.

We recognize the uncertainty is difficult for impacted school communities and remain committed to transparent communication throughout the process. While these decisions are never easy, declining enrollment and demographic trends require us to ensure our schools are full and thriving so we can maximize resources for students.

You will also hear more this fall about SUSD's long-term capital needs. In June, the Governing Board voted unanimously to call a $375 million special bond election for November 3, 2026.

If approved by voters, bond funding would be used for capital projects such as modernizing aging facilities, improving school safety, upgrading classroom technology, and replacing aging school buses. By law, bond dollars are restricted to capital purposes and cannot be used for salaries or daily operating expenses.

Parents, students, staff and community members can find information, project details, and answers to frequently asked questions on the SUSD Bond 2026 webpage https://www.susd.org/our-district/elections/susd-bond-2026

Community members are also encouraged to attend one of our informational meetings:

• Coronado Learning Community | 09/01/2026 & 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  • Coronado High School - Governing Board Room
• Desert Mountain Learning Community | 9/15/2026 & 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  • Desert Mountain High School - Library
• Saguaro Learning Community | 9/17/2026 & 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  • Saguaro High School - Auditorium
• Chaparral Learning Community | 09/23/2026 & 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  • Chaparral High School - Auditorium
• Arcadia Learning Community | 09/29/2026 & 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  • Arcadia High School - Mt. Olympus

Let's Make Some History

As superintendent, I have the privilege of seeing remarkable things happen in our schools every day. But what makes SUSD special isn't a building, a program, a test score or even 130 years of history… It's our people. The students, parents and staff who partner to ensure great possibilities for all our students!

Dr. Scott Menzel

Learn More at the Source

Dear SUSD,

As we close the 2025–2026 school year, I am filled with gratitude and pride for all that our students, staff, families, and community accomplished together this year.

First and foremost, congratulations to the Scottsdale Unified School District Class of 2026! This year, nearly 1800 graduates crossed the stage ready to begin their next chapter. Whether pursuing college, career, military service, or other opportunities, our graduates leave SUSD prepared to lead, contribute, and succeed. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you.

This year was defined by excellence, resilience, innovation, and focus.

Even as we navigated important conversations about enrollment, school repurposing, and the future of our facilities, Scottsdale Unified continued to elevate excellence across every area of our district.

The Governing Board approved two multi-year Wildly Important Goals (WIGS), designed to focus our efforts and guide the future of our district. The first WIG centers on increasing math achievement by raising the percentage of 8th-grade students successfully completing Algebra I from 25% to 75% by 2030. Supporting this work requires a strong focus on foundational math skills at the elementary and middle school levels, and the Board adopted a new K–12 math curriculum districtwide to support this effort.

The second WIG focuses on increasing the percentage of in-boundary school-aged students who choose Scottsdale Unified schools by increasing our capture rate by 3% by 2030. While many additional performance indicators guide our work, these two goals provide important direction and focus for the years ahead.

Our students continued to shine at the highest levels academically and beyond:

• A multitude of National Merit Scholars, with additional honorees still being announced through June
• Seven students earned perfect ACT scores
• A Dorrance Scholarship recipient
• A Congressional Award Gold Medal recipient, the highest honor Congress bestows on a civilian youth
• Desert Mountain High School students earned Arizona’s state title in the Presidential AI Challenge
• A Chaparral High School student earned the prestigious Jenkins Youth Leadership Award
• A Arcadia High School senior was named Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year

Our educators and staff also earned well-deserved recognition:

• SUSD was named a National Board District of Distinction by the Arizona K12 Center for having the highest number of National Board Certified Teachers in Arizona
• Richard Fairchild of Arcadia High School was named Arizona Educational Theatre Association Teacher of the Year
• Justin Slover of Coronado High School was recognized as Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the Daughters of the American Revolution
• Tarnisha Tilson of Chaparral High School earned ACTE Arizona New Teacher of the Year honors

Schools across the district received state and national recognition for excellence:

• Anasazi Elementary was named a 2026 NAESP National Distinguished (Gold Star) School, one of only three schools in Arizona to receive the honor
• Kiva, Redfield, and Anasazi Elementary Schools were named A+ Schools of Excellence, joining Cherokee, Desert Canyon, Hohokam, Navajo, and Pueblo Elementary Schools

We also continued expanding opportunities and support systems for students:

• Launched the new Math & Science Academy at Mohave Middle School
• Launched the Fire Science Academy at Coronado High School in partnership with EVIT
• Prepared for the opening of a new Boys & Girls Club at Tonalea Middle School in August 2026
• Expanded career readiness opportunities through SUSD’s first middle school JAG (Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates) program at Tonalea

Our students excelled in the arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities:

• Arcadia High School’s Marching Band earned a Division 4 Arizona State Championship
• Desert Mountain and Chaparral High Schools earned multiple honors for their outstanding musical productions
• 22 students earned placement in Arizona’s All-State Band, Choir, and Orchestra

Athletically, SUSD schools continued a tradition of excellence with multiple state championships:

• Chaparral High School: Girls Volleyball, Pom, Cheer, and Girls Golf State Champions
• Desert Mountain High School: Girls Swim & Dive, Football, Girls Tennis, and an individual Track & Field State Champion
• Arcadia High School: Boys Basketball State Champions
• Saguaro High School: Boys Baseball State Champions

Additionally, many of our schools were recognized through the Blue Zones Project for their commitment to whole-child wellness and healthy school environments, reinforcing our dedication to supporting students both academically and personally.

While we celebrated many successes this year, we also faced difficult but necessary decisions. In December, the Governing Board voted to close two schools due to continued enrollment decline and the structural budget challenges facing public education. These decisions were not made lightly but were necessary to ensure the long-term viability and success of our district.

Throughout the second semester, we also launched Phase II planning committees focused on future school repurposing considerations, strengthening enrollment, and ensuring thriving learning communities across SUSD. This work will continue throughout the summer with recommendations anticipated this fall.

As we look ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, Scottsdale Unified will celebrate an incredible milestone — 130 years of serving this community. This anniversary coincides with the City of Scottsdale’s 75th anniversary and our nation’s 250th birthday, providing an opportunity to reflect on our history while recommitting ourselves to building an even stronger future.

Next year, our community will also have the opportunity to consider a proposed $375 million bond initiative, the first bond request in a decade, focused on maintaining safe, modern learning environments for students and staff.

This year’s success did not happen by accident.

It happened because of dedicated educators and staff who show up every day with passion and purpose. It happened because of families who partner with us and support student success at home and at school. It happened because of students who continue to work hard, persevere, and strive for excellence. And it happened because of a Governing Board committed to strong stewardship and a clear vision for the future of SUSD.

Thank you for your continued support of Scottsdale Unified School District. Together, our focus remains on what matters most… the students. Our focus is their future.

Wishing you and your family a safe, restful, and wonderful summer.

Thanks,
Dr. Scott Menzel, Superintendent

Learn More at the Source

Dear Class of 2026, 
 
Congratulations! 
 
This week, we celebrate more than a graduation. We celebrate your journey and your incredible future. 
 
For many of you, Scottsdale Unified School District has been your home for years… from your earliest days of learning to this milestone moment walking across the stage as graduates. Along the way, you have grown not only as students, but as leaders, teammates, artists, innovators, collaborators, creators, problem-solvers, and compassionate members of your community. 
 
The Class of 2026 leaves behind a legacy of excellence, determination, and involvement.  
 
You helped lead our district into a new era of learning and innovation. You were the first to truly embrace the possibilities of artificial intelligence as part of your educational journey… learning not only how to use the emerging technology, but how to use it responsibly, and creatively. You helped the district establish guidelines that will support teachers and learners for years to come. Your enthusiasm is what sets SUSD apart as a leader in world-class, future-focused learning. 
 
This class also won multiple state championships during your four years—including several this year! 

• Chaparral High School
  • Girls Volleyball - AIA 5A State Champions 
  • Pom - AIA D2 State Champions 
  • Cheer - AIA D2 State Champions 
  • Girls Golf - AIA D2 State Champions 
• Desert Mountain High School
  • Swim & Dive - State Champions (4th consecutive year) 
  • Football - AIA 5A State Champions 
• Arcadia High School
  • Boys Basketball - AIA 4A State Champions 
• Saguaro High School
  • Boys Baseball - AIA 4A State Champions

There was also excellence in the arts all year long!  

• Arcadia High School - Marching Band - Division 4 Arizona State Champions
• Desert Mountain High School - Gammage Outstanding Musical - Multiple Categories
• Chaparral High School - Gammage Outstanding Musical - Multiple Categories

You challenged yourselves through advanced coursework, dual enrollment opportunities, International Baccalaureate programs, Career and Technical Education pathways, fine arts, athletics, clubs, service organizations, and leadership experiences. Many of you earned industry certifications, college credit, academic honors, scholarships, and recognitions that reflect your hard work and commitment to your future. 
 
More importantly, you made an impact on others. 
 
You volunteered in your community, supported your peers, represented your schools with pride, and demonstrated what it means to be a part of something larger than yourself. Through acts of kindness, both big and small, you helped make SUSD and the community a better place. 
 
As you prepare for your next chapter, whether that includes college, military service, career training, the workforce, or another pathway, know this: you are prepared.  You have learned how to think critically, collaborate with others, adapt to change, and persevere. These skills will serve you well wherever life takes you. 
 
The future ahead of you is bright because of the focus, effort, and heart you have already shown and all of those who supported you along the way! 
 
Congratulations, Class of 2026. Your future starts now. 

Dr. Scott Menzel, Superintendent