[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6561113,"mediaKeyId","3296502-51dea92f008e1aea165d261303996ada","parentId",3296502,"title","Board approves new chief communications and information officer role, 3-2; communications manager description also approved","audioSeconds",233,"startMs",7617000,"endMs",7850000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3296502-51dea92f008e1aea165d261303996ada&start=7617&end=7850","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3296502-51dea92f008e1aea165d261303996ada/thumbnail_7617000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561113/Arizona/Board-approves-new-chief-communications-and-information-officer-role-3-2-communications-manager-description-also-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561113-94257801360c5c436fd9ca200d41abfd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770800701&Signature=f1XM~Xa0FrJ7oTYRY7zSVkpVoV-41l4mzDdav6XaDdMXpP8FTnK1gqWw7SlH1vC83qcPREYDe9iMHC3tXMQe6HJTxA6aZ8quIKrFSUQ3357hq--LkU8A3gRUCa6Bj7-U9h5dfE6EYnbHR0Y-BrfvVv-eNAGuvynxDcHABY9W~6jIYz-p4q5bZ-27GCCYsIphIqS6EgBBvdiOq66nSBr5Z4yxM5QNc6prk~Q3ngqCFPBJdXj9Z8WLPtLAQnx9~g4bVh-JPxLjt8njIHXNp99CzIUFgIs3KZ0IDL0aNb1MYM5m8sSaVdzzS50FsPtlvu4qYL8Vmi1Q~FDk1i6xGZ1CFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Scottsdale Unified District (4240)","date","2025-05-14T07:51:41Z","article","The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board voted 3-2 to approve a new chief communications and information officer (CCIO) job description and a revised communications‑manager job description at the May 13 meeting. Trustees said the change is part of a central‑office reorganization intended to reduce administrative FTEs and create administrative cost savings by combining certain communications and information responsibilities.

What the board approved
The CCIO job description merges leadership for communications and information functions at the cabinet level. The board also approved a revised communications manager description tied to the new structure. Trustees and cabinet said the reconfiguration followed review of vacancies and an interest‑based negotiation framework; district leaders said the central goal was to reduce district administration costs while retaining capacity to support IT operations and district communications.

Support, concern and the vote
Supporters of the reorganization said the approach produces cost savings and reflects a modern division of labor: many technical tasks are handled by IT staff and specialists, while a cabinet‑level leader supervises strategy, procurement, budgeting and cross‑department coordination. Opponents said the new CCIO role as written omits detailed technical requirements (LAN/WAN, systems‑development knowledge) that formerly appeared in the chief systems officer job description. Some trustees and staff warned the change risks losing subject‑matter expertise at the cabinet level. After debate, the motion to approve the new CCIO job description passed 3-2.

Related items and context
On the consent calendar the board also approved a revised communications manager description; trustees discussed but later approved it after the CCIO vote. Trustee comments referenced the district’s interest‑based negotiation processes and noted the reorganization was proposed after an announced CSO departure. District staff said the new CCIO will rely on an experienced IT leadership team that remains in place to manage technical operations.

Implementation and next steps
The district said it will refine reporting lines, complete contracts and offer the position consistent with board direction. The board discussion indicated trustees expect the superintendent and cabinet to monitor IT service levels, contract performance and communications operations to ensure no degradation in technical or operational service.

Ending: The reorganization passed 3-2; trustees and staff said they will monitor technical and communications capacity as the new role is staffed and responsibilities shift.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SUSD Governing Board Regular Meeting 5/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Scottsdale Unified’s governing board voted 3-2 on May 13 to approve a new chief communications and information officer job description and a related communications manager revision, part of a central‑office reorganization aimed at reducing administrative FTEs and combining communications and IT oversight functions.","taxTitle","Scottsdale Unified District (4240), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",13623,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6561123,"Scottsdale Unified board adopts new social science curriculum after contentious public comment, 3-2",329,1475000,1804000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3296502-51dea92f008e1aea165d261303996ada&start=1475&end=1804","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3296502-51dea92f008e1aea165d261303996ada/thumbnail_1475000.jpg","/articles/6561123/Arizona/Scottsdale-Unified-board-adopts-new-social-science-curriculum-after-contentious-public-comment-3-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561123-051e4875916556a90b568ba5e22ecc1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770800701&Signature=cYKu6ueLLDfM2sNe3Vq0VIk80t7NzX49iDADd9g97RPFOKw5H7SfJKg8Vd7yFQh~kkjc5nHgN9Cg5228NESmSxq9FsM8JtbEa-nnsJD86SdP1QaLMU8wXhqkto5Mfsq5njW4ncMd~P7e9Sbo1Zlt~lPM8y-6V0FXvcB21bQdb~HckE6Wz~kbB3wt5-SlKil4GgJTBzNqGha4Rty67YUf~d3pe9afcxA8ReU9rr4~t6L5VoRW5EwkNkmqfWwDg9-BNa5Tt0cYDiW675VbI2v5S4NJeiwF3pQGxYVyn-yrpYXJa4NDwWuliSiegl0AgRwVDiZBewLbT-pUe7B7nz7bfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board voted 3-2 on May 13 to adopt a set of new social science instructional materials, including texts and digital resources for World History, World Geography, American and Arizona History, AP World History: Modern, AP Human Geography and AP U.S. History. The adoption followed a yearlong review by a district curriculum committee and a public review period that the district said included posted materials and public feedback.

Why it matters: The adoption affects the core instructional materials used in core social science courses and several AP classes at the district’s high schools. Supporters told the board the materials align to Arizona standards and AP course descriptions and include teacher supports, primary sources and digital tools intended to prepare students for state and AP exams. Opponents said the texts portray law enforcement and other topics in a biased way and urged the board to reject the package.

The committee process and board review
The district said the materials were reviewed by a legally constituted social science curriculum adoption committee made up of teachers, a high school administrator and a community member, with meetings posted and minutes recorded under open-meeting law. The committee rated multiple publisher offerings against rubrics aligned to state standards and AP course exam descriptions, then recommended the set now adopted. Dylan, the district social studies coach, and Dr. Dodds Karen, the district’s director of teaching and learning, presented the committee’s rationale at the meeting and described alignment to Arizona’s disciplinary standards and the College Board exam descriptions for AP courses.

Public comment and concerns
More than two dozen members of the public addressed the board during the formal public-comment period. Several speakers urged the board to reject the Savvas and related materials, arguing they were politically biased or anti–law enforcement. Cindy Hill, who identified herself as a community leader and “police wife,” told the board, “This isn't education. It's indoctrination.” Several parents and former law-enforcement officials said the materials risked alienating students and families and could harm recruitment and retention of law-enforcement personnel.

Other speakers backed the committee’s work and urged adoption. Lisa Erickson read a petition from more than 100 students, alumni and parents who said the recommended materials had been reviewed by a committee of educators and supported a curriculum that “encourages critical thinking by presenting a variety of perspectives.” Jan Volkil, a parent who reviewed the on‑display materials, told the board the texts met state standards and that “we need to tell the truth out loud” about historical events.

Board deliberations and vote
Board discussion referenced committee procedures, the public review process, and the district obligation to adopt materials that align with Arizona standards. Members also described the volume of public feedback received by email and at the public display. After discussion, the board voted 3-2 to approve the adoption. The official tally was yes 3, no 2; individual votes were not recorded in the public vote tally posted in the transcript.

What the adopted package includes and next steps
The approved materials include digital teacher guides, student texts with embedded AP skills for advanced courses, and supplemental teacher resources. The district said it will proceed with ordering teacher and student materials and with the professional development and AP exam preparation resources that were part of the committee recommendation. District staff told the board they will continue to monitor classroom implementation and AP exam performance data and support teachers with curriculum mapping and training.

Context and outstanding issues
Speakers and some trustees urged clearer mechanisms for broader parent outreach during future adoptions; trustees asked staff to improve notification about committee openings and public-review displays. The board also heard repeated requests from speakers representing law-enforcement organizations to reconsider materials they regard as unfair toward police. The district said the materials will be incorporated into instructional planning and that teachers would make instructional choices from optional teacher resources as appropriate.

The board’s approval finishes the formal adoption step; implementation and classroom use will be scheduled for the coming school year, accompanied by teacher training and ongoing monitoring of results and community feedback.

Ending: The governing board approved the package amid sharply divided public comment and board debate; district staff said they will move ahead with procurement and professional development while also noting they will continue listening to community concerns.","The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board voted 3-2 on May 13 to adopt a new suite of social science textbooks and digital materials for World History, World Geography, American and Arizona History and several AP courses after a district curriculum committee recommendation and a public-review period.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6561108,"Board suspends planned assistant‑principal ratios for next year amid staffing concerns; motion passes unanimously",237,8913000,9150000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3296502-51dea92f008e1aea165d261303996ada&start=8913&end=9150","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3296502-51dea92f008e1aea165d261303996ada/thumbnail_8913000.jpg","/articles/6561108/Arizona/Board-suspends-planned-assistantprincipal-ratios-for-next-year-amid-staffing-concerns-motion-passes-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561108-b098f4f11b91fec4bb0d3e1e89011816/orig.mp4?Expires=1770800701&Signature=aJeoj2BS8NvtIntmGnguHvpggYvict9wB6BlRrZQuxCe4Z-Eyh7iwjI1BH79dMTaw3jc5ZH6fR8XjabHW788DlQfGV82hxUVcJZl1l6LvOOLn09t4Mj1ZiOr0LkUc0aW6PzMjOJJlOf2Q5A8d~i~IM2TXFatsNSD5s7FKovYf2TZCG6zTccRx4VyEbIQNWzSj0Cz0XXuJc38A4HR8xrFVFVWgER~1YvwDS475FVO7sW6uQuXCUIV5YK~5RhBx4wrciUWDFicTw5CRKZT59Cv0AhDQFVsqf9A8sk6rkMuozRezJDhYoKOgXE2Y72qS8A~qwoYtHpFbb-Xhe~zSX5yWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board voted 5-0 to suspend implementation of assistant‑principal ratio changes negotiated in the district’s 2024–25 interest‑based negotiation (IBN) agreement with the Scottsdale Administrators Association. The change had been scheduled to take effect in the 2025–26 school year.

What was suspended and why
The IBN agreement included new AP‑to‑student ratios designed to align administrative staffing with building enrollment. District staff explained the ratio changes were intended to reallocate AP time and create part‑time AP assignments at smaller sites to reduce district administration costs. After staff presented placements that would have followed the new ratios, parents and staff at several campuses urged the board to retain full‑time assistant principals at their sites.

Trustee discussion and vote
Trustees debated the tradeoffs between implementing the negotiated ratios (which reduce central costs by creating splits and part‑time AP assignments at some campuses) and honoring concerns raised by staff and parents about support at smaller sites. Board members expressed concern about precedent and about the need for a transparent process; others said the district’s budget planning and enrollment pressures justified a pause.

Outcome and next steps
The board’s unanimous vote to suspend the ratios buys an additional year before any ratio changes would be implemented; district staff said the existing placements and staffing will continue for 2025–26 unless the board directs otherwise. Trustees asked staff to bring more detailed financial implications and to include the issue in next year’s negotiations and planning discussions so that any changes are made with fuller board involvement and community notice.

Ending: The suspension preserves current AP staffing for the coming school year and gives the board and staff time to further analyze financial and operational implications before adopting any new ratio schedule.","Trustees unanimously approved a one‑year suspension of newly negotiated assistant‑principal (AP) ratio changes that had been scheduled to take effect in 2025–26; board members cited staffing and community concerns and asked for more time to review operational impacts.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6561118,"Board approves device‑tracking licenses for district computers, requires parent/staff notice",161,3673000,3834000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3296502-51dea92f008e1aea165d261303996ada&start=3673&end=3834","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3296502-51dea92f008e1aea165d261303996ada/thumbnail_3673000.jpg","/articles/6561118/Arizona/Board-approves-devicetracking-licenses-for-district-computers-requires-parentstaff-notice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561118-76097005813a2596a233a9eac88997c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770800701&Signature=bLajoUYl23yYXOY-UrpFt9-Bh~F4zCFLM6WZE4PZW4rok1ybXAVNJK1lncf7lSx6BXuvzSdFfkbV7i1~avA78jDUA07O791nxpzwtbFAfpq93KNgrwWcchegogOQEB5LGLUnB9Di5nzHR6z3~i3RzpxMUNegCRmq-FhRd2sLq40PsDAjPWVtqg34n0Z5BdlHUZ6FWvmMXoa38zaA7lc3vt-6vKLq-MrQ323j-TxqMq4DkWUoXwK-Vk9hD4AZhJTJzXRQf0mjm5H3~4nhV0wJ5oPzpGkoJj00rUAKdTSeehShdgfxrLbPnnw7rioGJgsKMMEHmcpxea4t9Yp5fOw~3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board voted unanimously to approve the purchase of district device hardware and associated services using the Arizona cooperative contract, including Absolute device‑control licenses for a portion of the district’s mobile assets. The vote came as part of a consent item for multiple contract purchases.

What was approved and why
District IT staff said Absolute has been purchased to allow the district to locate lost or stolen district devices and — for Windows devices in particular — to remotely wipe local data if the hardware falls into the wrong hands. IT staff explained Absolute helps with asset recovery and protects district data on laptops and staff devices. District staff reported they have deployed Absolute on staff and on certain student devices this year and said the software has been used to help recover devices and to provide forensic detail to law enforcement when necessary.

Board direction on notification
Board members raised concerns that parents and employees were not explicitly notified when Absolute was added to district devices. Trustees sought transparency about the capability and about the district’s controls over who may access location or wipe functions. The board voted 5-0 to approve the purchase on the condition that the district provide clear notification to staff and parents that district‑owned devices have the capability to be located and remotely wiped, and to clarify what data is collected and how access is audited. District staff agreed to add notification to student technology signoffs and to employee technology acknowledgements and to provide a short disclosure in ParentSquare and employee communications.

Context and privacy controls
IT staff said Absolute is used sparingly and primarily as an asset‑recovery and security tool; they described logs and access controls that record when staff access device location or wipe features. Trustees asked the IT department to provide a brief written description of the capability and the district’s audit controls so parents and employees can review how and when the capability may be used.

Ending: The consent‑agenda approval moves district purchases forward while the board directed staff to add explicit notifications and documentation for parents and employees.","Trustees approved the purchase of Absolute (device‑tracking/remote‑wipe) licenses bundled with district device purchases but asked staff to immediately notify parents and employees that district‑owned devices can be located or wiped if lost or stolen.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6561121,"Scottsdale Unified approves revised FY24-25 expenditure budget; board hears update on FY25-26 maintenance and operations plan",109,767000,876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3296502-51dea92f008e1aea165d261303996ada&start=767&end=876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3296502-51dea92f008e1aea165d261303996ada/thumbnail_767000.jpg","/articles/6561121/Arizona/Scottsdale-Unified-approves-revised-FY24-25-expenditure-budget-board-hears-update-on-FY25-26-maintenance-and-operations-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561121-111cb5b6ff1a3536e08600c03229ac65/orig.mp4?Expires=1770800701&Signature=XzM39cJrBuTgDs4~HLBw0SE-WSpiN8xa~MMann4IsxEwTgoR87yxQLpL-FsVpDmdvhWw9lNHAxmWO62I6B8522ba7ODrkje0FPBPPDnEi5ovpa9jE-kXZJIr6uA0uCutO2UEZ5qNUiuJ0oZfJvBNZQeq2D66R6ba-rgGb5-V96aUTBTFtvR-H-xaQecHSVFsAjok3urAe9zAHg51AyycmpZp9U-~jg5DoMijRiRGdHkJtqk23rOeCQrl~MytpmL-r9f11v2TD306v4ui9EhWnYkR-S6Uy-IVLLk7SlbsofQMtpp1DbcF7kQ1rbLLEVwaxE4Zb0PlHIGRhycCpevyBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a public hearing opening the May 13 meeting, the Scottsdale Unified School District governing board unanimously approved a revision to the district’s fiscal year 2024–25 expenditure budget to align anticipated revenues and expenditures with actual student counts and carryforward balances.

What the board approved
The district presented the final revision for FY24–25, showing a modest weighted-student-count decrease of 47.16 that initially reduced maintenance-and-operations (M&O) funding by about $342,581. District staff said the weighted count may increase slightly after a county data fix for some students who were not yet counted. Capital carryforward increased by roughly $2.5 million for unfinished projects that rolled into the next fiscal year. The board approved the revised expenditure budget by voice vote; the public hearing record shows the vote as unanimous (5-0).

Why it matters
The FY24–25 revision aligns spending with actual enrollment, grant carryforward and one‑time state funds approved after the district adopted its proposed budget last spring. The revision limits unanticipated shortfalls for the current year, allowing staff to manage year‑end wrap‑ups and project carryforwards into FY25–26.

Discussion of FY25–26 maintenance and operations
District finance staff then briefed trustees on early planning for the FY25–26 maintenance and operations budget. Key points:
- The district currently projects a possible $2.7 million reduction in revenue due to weight‑count and other changes; staff removed a prior placeholder for “Prop 123” style funding and are modeling the revenue drop without that source.
- The district included a proposed 1.5% salary increase across employees and a planned $1 million M&O contribution toward insurance for the coming year.
- Department budgets were examined cabinet‑wide; reductions ranged from 1% to as much as 47% in some line items. Major unavoidable increases include phone system replacement, property‑casualty insurance (costs previously supplemented from a trust that is low), transportation and utilities.
- After identifying savings, staff reported a remaining gap of roughly $145,000 before the FY25–26 M&O plan would be balanced; staff said they may adjust transfers from other district funds and continue to find savings.

Board direction and next steps
Trustees asked follow-up questions and thanked staff for the review. Staff said they will continue to refine the FY25–26 M&O proposal, present additional options in June and return to the board for final budget adoption in June. The board signaled support for further transparency and for identifying additional savings, including an evaluation of department budgets and any forthcoming RFP results for medical insurance.

Ending: The board finished the public‑hearing vote on the FY24–25 revision as unanimous and directed staff to keep refining the FY25–26 M&O plan, with a final adoption vote scheduled for the June meeting.","The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board unanimously approved a revised fiscal-year 2024–25 expenditure budget at a public hearing and then discussed early planning for the FY25–26 maintenance and operations budget, including a projected $2.7 million revenue reduction and options to close a remaining gap.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves new chief communications and information officer role, 3-2; communications manager description also approved

Scottsdale Unified board adopts new social science curriculum after contentious public comment, 3-2

Board suspends planned assistant‑principal ratios for next year amid staffing concerns; motion passes unanimously

Board approves device‑tracking licenses for district computers, requires parent/staff notice

Scottsdale Unified approves revised FY24-25 expenditure budget; board hears update on FY25-26 maintenance and operations plan