[{"_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",6428282,"mediaKeyId","5906061-c48c56409e3eb7533b82dfcd330acaa4","parentId",5906061,"title","Scottsdale Unified schedules public hearing on possible Echo Canyon and Pima repurposing after hours of public comment","audioSeconds",1150,"startMs",9780000,"endMs",10930000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906061-c48c56409e3eb7533b82dfcd330acaa4&start=9780&end=10930","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906061-c48c56409e3eb7533b82dfcd330acaa4/thumbnail_9780000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6428282/Arizona/Scottsdale-Unified-schedules-public-hearing-on-possible-Echo-Canyon-and-Pima-repurposing-after-hours-of-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428282-b35564dd81fd836885cdc5170867b533/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180375&Signature=UkLxvkgJqFaKy2~lTktGNLWP4SiGbydCTDx6etqMmMV95ZujmEy6Qjt6BVxZ~qEAwvpJaC5SGw2cz-IQb8QPdmsYKhSLM957uZxhg4JF0KE3o7ct7~-jwlhiGqCbNL5eWCzTZhIBYg02j4hRrJL5mZkB2FFnr~Fcg9b8XBBQixKXYkfmFIqwT3qAKq7aS~RXWv4MMc1758BCBo92JJz485eaxNv2K7B0O2JzFox6O19dF51Nycn2IKdKQFYZ5N-q~c2~CaSQXZ4K-n3zRzAa9Iun5oD7zXDec8Bq14JMs86goDcPmr3CirXPd82pWfqiQMSWMYNmNsYaok0g1p-8Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Scottsdale Unified District (4240)","date","2025-10-08T04:12:46Z","article","The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board voted 3–2 on Oct. 24 to schedule a public hearing on Nov. 13 to consider proposals to repurpose or close Echo Canyon K–8 and Pima Elementary and authorized the superintendent to issue required public notices.

The hearing follows a large public turnout at the board’s Oct. 24 regular meeting, where nearly 50 people signed up for call to the public and dozens spoke about the two schools. Parents, students and staff urged the board to preserve both campuses, saying each school serves distinct neighborhood and special-needs communities and that students would be harmed by closure.

The meeting included repeated pleas to keep the campuses open. Stephanie Peyton, who identified herself as an Echo Canyon parent and life-skills program parent, said the school lacks alternatives for specialized accessibility and supports and asked the board “please make sure that these families and this community are not left behind.” Several speakers with ties to Pima described the school as a multigenerational community anchor and cited grants, Title I services and low student-to-teacher ratios as reasons to keep it open. Ellie McKnight said Pima was projected to receive an A rating and warned that closing the school would forfeit a recently awarded five‑year grant.

Board members debated procedure before the vote. A motion to table scheduling the hearing so the board could first hold additional internal discussion failed on a 2–3 roll call. The subsequent motion to set the public hearing for Nov. 13 passed 3–2; the board recorded no final decision to repurpose or close either school. Counsel advised the board that state law requires at least 10 days’ posted notice before the hearing and another mandatory 10‑day waiting period after the hearing before the board may vote on closure or repurposing.

Board members who voted to schedule the Nov. 13 hearing said the action was a procedural step to comply with statutory requirements and to ensure the community had a formal opportunity to be heard. Members who opposed scheduling the hearing said they wanted the board first to hold an internal study discussion about the district’s enrollment and budget context.

The district has a study session scheduled Oct. 28 that board members had discussed using for deeper review of budget and enrollment materials. Counsel clarified that the public hearing is a separate statutory step that can be bifurcated to hear from each school’s community if the board chooses.

Next steps: the district will post the legally required notices and hold the Nov. 13 public hearing. Under state law, the board cannot vote on repurposing or closing either campus until at least 10 days after that hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SUSD Governing Board Regular Meeting & Executive Session 10/7/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board voted 3–2 on Oct. 24 to schedule a Nov. 13 public hearing to consider repurposing or closing Echo Canyon K–8 and Pima Elementary and authorized the superintendent to issue required notices.","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},6428273,"Board approves audit plan and annual financial report as district leaders outline overrides, bond spending and cash timing",497,5663000,6160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906061-c48c56409e3eb7533b82dfcd330acaa4&start=5663&end=6160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906061-c48c56409e3eb7533b82dfcd330acaa4/thumbnail_5663000.jpg","/articles/6428273/Arizona/Board-approves-audit-plan-and-annual-financial-report-as-district-leaders-outline-overrides-bond-spending-and-cash-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428273-532351bbc13f976e858d812d77733782/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180375&Signature=X3TzqEDkmtI4wj2YuMtje5b2U7C~2hnXawtUu4WoLkn3vgbtSzbU-Q7fOtEsHBbCMqHvdKEYd65JhLbxqh~En-Mo-qxBAwGbDjvoxHPI0W0zbc17H~j-vDIY54zgh8J4HU4x1ztOdVJPr-qcx3YMNg~~VGzNp8s~HQOOtYCY-X9NB67zfEoxw9edDG4rvNphaBJDL1ejq6-HAOkLfEX0JVjFYMstAcOD26nT3MKr4IwvMIsEEIymfWvegrjnoMwKWUIrl~mHGyEPSikw9E9YUSahniBuzXfDUjThIiaIDcf-ux8GUAR22A1CNr13MjUPQl~TyRLDPufnVBKT4FW3rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board on Oct. 24 approved the district audit plan for 2025–26 and accepted the annual financial report (AFR) for fiscal year 2024–25.

Sarah Regan, chair of the district audit committee, presented the committee’s annual report and said the committee found no material control deficiencies based on its scope and that one audit had produced an identified cost savings of roughly $100,000. The board voted 5–0 to approve the audit plan.

Chief Financial Officer (presenter identified as Ms. Crozier) reviewed voter-approved maintenance-and-operations (M&O) and capital overrides and the nearly completed $229 million bond. She said the M&O override (approved Nov. 2023) supports class-size maintenance, all-day kindergarten, music and arts, athletics, technology and competitive staff pay. The capital (district additional assistance) override, approved Nov. 2022, pays for school and district technology, curriculum materials and similar items; the district has carried forward some capital override funds and spent more in 2024–25 as it seeks to use one-time carryover.

The bond program financed school renovations, life‑cycle improvements and security projects; the presenter said the bond is now near completion with about $1.2 million remaining. Examples given included athletic and infrastructure projects as well as essential mechanical work such as a chiller replacement at Copper Ridge.

Finance staff told the board that a cash shortfall in the M&O pooled account was related to timing and recent Quasi‑Meyer refunds (state-mandated refunds that affect cash flow). The district had used tax anticipation notes previously to manage timing of receipts. The AFR shows an average daily membership (ADM) of about 19,333 and reports operating fund budget balances and cash balances; staff explained the difference between budget balance and cash balance and said the district expects tax revenues to begin flowing in October.

The board voted 5–0 to accept the AFR for 2024–25. Board members asked staff to provide guidance and training so trustees can read the AFR and school‑level reports; staff said the school‑by‑school report will be posted publicly after approval.","The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board approved the audit plan for 2025–26 and accepted the district’s 2024–25 annual financial report. Finance staff outlined how voter-approved overrides and a nearly complete $229 million bond have been used and explained a temporary cash shortfall tied to timing and Quasi‑Meyer refunds.",{"_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},6428260,"District tables controversial math 'wildly important goal' after teachers voice concerns",1662,7260000,8922000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906061-c48c56409e3eb7533b82dfcd330acaa4&start=7260&end=8922","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906061-c48c56409e3eb7533b82dfcd330acaa4/thumbnail_7260000.jpg","/articles/6428260/Arizona/District-tables-controversial-math-wildly-important-goal-after-teachers-voice-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428260-860a007db52271e753429909f3d9ad57/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180375&Signature=Gtyrs60qv~HXn1Y6TjKb6ocG7CmXstaqFbFwbF1Xz9nR0zlQ11FkYiQYcUGLof8z3Uhdy6Okag4pz3YmDXDq-uchhJA3p57gHA32Qf5MS~sgq4rhzUzWer-D5Z-CZfMGSUuzz5CXjD6HeXDtmjUSrbiMDJnKxI37~Hb5B36a1KpgIOnf2k8yR0w2zbo8sokgvBEszJNFxGPtpIzRqW7Ob5GfF6M1J7N2MNn~ePUL-0K3NIrAybeLaZxRP5MjIFhO1yyHBkhYWwq6-NzviVQrbZondKUHDJn5qtRrbCh9nCpFc9n7GzkdKiYdg1vzwf8K9ifa42F1qg2rZlb7d8OdSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board tabled a districtwide math “wildly important goal” (WIG) at its Oct. 24 meeting after sustained input from teachers and parents. The motion to table passed 3–2 following a lengthy debate about phasing, teacher buy‑in and the plan’s timeline.

The WIG would aim to increase the percentage of students who successfully complete algebra by eighth grade (the proposed target in the draft plan was to reach a specific percentage by 2030). Several district math teachers and parents spoke at the meeting and in advance, expressing concern about the goal’s scope and the pace at which it would be implemented. Teachers said the target felt sudden and that a clear multi‑year operational plan with grade‑by‑grade predecessor skill targets and professional development outline was needed.

Board members said they supported elevating expectations but disagreed about timing and whether adoption without broader teacher buy‑in would be productive. Superintendent Scott Menzel said the goal was intended as an aspirational target to “unlock algebra opportunities for everyone” and emphasized the need for systemwide supports from early elementary grades onward.

A motion to table the WIG for additional work and teacher engagement passed 3–2. Board members discussed using the upcoming Oct. 28 study session to deepen conversations with teachers and leaders, refine annual metrics and outline how predecessor skills in elementary grades would be measured to support a multi‑year rollout.

Next steps: the administration will continue conversations with classroom teachers, principals and parents and return to the board for further consideration; the board scheduled further discussion during the Oct. 28 study session.","Scottsdale Unified’s proposal to set a five‑year goal boosting the share of students completing algebra by eighth grade was tabled 3–2 after teachers and board members urged more planning and buy‑in from elementary and middle‑school educators.",{"_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},6428254,"Board approves superintendent performance‑pay plan amid divided votes on metrics and weights",740,9031000,9771000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906061-c48c56409e3eb7533b82dfcd330acaa4&start=9031&end=9771","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906061-c48c56409e3eb7533b82dfcd330acaa4/thumbnail_9031000.jpg","/articles/6428254/Arizona/Board-approves-superintendent-performancepay-plan-amid-divided-votes-on-metrics-and-weights","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428254-6752206b338ddc818a7d6e93e79cad87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180375&Signature=fWujmoq3by8Bd-bGNgQP5iEgccbbkxRQebSzePhxrxTfWyXQWVojpOTLzv2R2-wFeBDzGIpCNh5u58lChfjlh05W-UatHEOJVia5yIf97wz5EUHb479zLwaunLnnwEJLKJYlMookmms~wbdFkx0MULx0eAfR3sdgZPQLSfMYAxJwjxo5l7A92cqjMztz41YzfTrsxtI9A4~Jw-~4l0SbVzFaDr8lhbnr0nvuR2zcrR9LAKfZsQSJsd5JVFToOqSzeVX3UYX9~0lODrKV1xuG84x1GtMYI3Yfya1XkjwUC8MZuExU~hp5LeTMgCpEtLZSRalX0vuiUrlXK-ZBm6SnEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board on Oct. 24 approved a superintendent annual performance‑based pay plan by a 3–2 vote.

The plan sets weighted measures across several categories: academic achievement (percent increases in cohort proficiency in fourth‑ through eighth‑grade math and ELA), financial/operational goals (development of a sound multi‑year budget plan), enrollment retention (a 2% increase in hundredth‑day cohort retention) and other performance metrics. The board discussed different weightings for the categories and settled on a distribution that gave significant weight to finance and academics; the contract allows the board to award up to a set maximum in performance pay if the superintendent meets the targets.

Some board members voiced concern about approving an on‑paper performance plan that could result in up to $45,000 in payout — in their words, an uncomfortable prospect during active budget discussions and potential school repurposing. Supporters said the plan is the customary practice of setting measurable goals and providing the superintendent an opportunity to earn on‑target pay tied to those benchmarks.

Board members voted to approve the plan; the approval establishes the measurement framework that would determine any future payout if targets are met. The board did not approve any immediate payment; payouts depend on achievement of the stated targets and later board verification.

Next steps: the superintendent will be evaluated against the agreed metrics at the end of the evaluation period; any payout would be conditioned on the board’s assessment of target achievement.","The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board approved a performance‑based pay plan for the superintendent by a 3–2 vote. The plan ties potential bonus payments to multiple measures, including academic gains, financial footing and enrollment retention; some trustees raised concerns about payouts during a time of budget strain.",{"_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},6428247,"Scottsdale Unified recognizes Coronado High and Yavapai Elementary as Blue Zones‑designated schools",364,896000,1260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906061-c48c56409e3eb7533b82dfcd330acaa4&start=896&end=1260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906061-c48c56409e3eb7533b82dfcd330acaa4/thumbnail_896000.jpg","/articles/6428247/Arizona/Scottsdale-Unified-recognizes-Coronado-High-and-Yavapai-Elementary-as-Blue-Zonesdesignated-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428247-c403a11789863ec9077ce4b6bb95ba31/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180375&Signature=VCyW2LKV~rNSG02cAyZZ4FgWxMeZUb-FVhcKnvjJWe2fhsnEQin7ope~PVUS5VtJmVrFUvQGnrLRwjXIyblS1H0VGy8tTxBZriFQTau0AcCJ3eUJO1KttRemd3zhqlhLiDQucbWBf5FP9oaJdNLJIBqbGmv6hr-bNmbMZza3TKHWsM0gLsKfGJGysMt14nUe72wFU0dPZcSv8lxWi6Pi2KgcMdeuTJ06vmP57JvF5i4WEycWfoJ8T3imz2M7D3HnHD9WhguKwGmX0Yl~W1zfBrPrqu-GreLj3cxdFUHR4ztzru1p8gsHEnDYwpqS2WbVobX5O7s4ANrhoXt7bbJWyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scottsdale Unified School District officials on Oct. 24 publicly recognized Coronado High School and Yavapai Elementary for receiving Blue Zones Project designations.

Superintendent Scott Menzel and district leaders highlighted Coronado’s garden program, lunchtime activities, integrated nutrition education and student leadership programs. Coronado Principal Melinda Splittick and staff were invited to accept a recognition acknowledging the campus’s work to build a culture of well‑being.

Yavapai Elementary was recognized for its pollinator garden, Monarch Waystation, vegetable garden integrated into programming, non‑food fundraisers and active‑transportation events such as a pre‑K bike program and a Walk‑and‑Roll to School day. Representatives from Blue Zones Project Scottsdale attended the meeting to present the recognitions and describe the schools’ programming.

Board members and district leaders thanked principals, teachers and staff and presented challenge coins to the schools’ leadership teams. The recognition placed Coronado and Yavapai alongside other district schools previously recognized for wellness work.

No formal board action was required; the item was a ceremonial recognition on the meeting agenda.","The district presented Blue Zones recognition awards to Coronado High School (the district’s first Blue Zones high school) and Yavapai Elementary for campus wellness programs and family health initiatives. Board and district leaders praised both schools for nutrition, activity and community engagement programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Scottsdale Unified schedules public hearing on possible Echo Canyon and Pima repurposing after hours of public comment

Board approves audit plan and annual financial report as district leaders outline overrides, bond spending and cash timing

District tables controversial math 'wildly important goal' after teachers voice concerns

Board approves superintendent performance‑pay plan amid divided votes on metrics and weights

Scottsdale Unified recognizes Coronado High and Yavapai Elementary as Blue Zones‑designated schools