From bullying in schools, to irregular spending practices, the Scottsdale Unified School District is in a tailspin. As the Arizona Attorney General investigates the District’s procurement process, issues like bullying that directly affect kids seem to be ignored.
In fact, while bullying of kids is brushed off, the superintendent, Dr. Denise Birdwell, had the gall to claim that she is the bullied victim. According to AZFamily.com, the Arizona Attorney General is investigating the District’s award of “millions of dollars in school projects to an unlicensed architect who was previously convicted of stealing public funds.”
At this week’s Governing Board meeting, Birdwell claimed that the District’s leadership “being bullied online” and has faced “personal attacks.”
In a statement released later, Birdwell claimed that “politically motivated individuals” would “like to shift the focus of the Scottsdale District away from accountability and learning.” But some parents say, they would like District leadership to focus on accountability at the school level.
Birdwell claims that leadership remains “laser-focused on student academic achievement.” But some parents question how students can hope to achieve in threatening environments.