Scottsdale Unified Governing Board: The Choice is Clear
We hear this every election cycle, often enough many people tune it out—but the November 2026 election is truly critical for Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) students.
If voters do not make their voices heard, they risk losing half of the board members who challenge SUSD Superintendent Scott Menzel’s radical agenda and advocate for academic achievement.
The current Governing Board includes three progressive members who campaigned on protecting Menzel and urging parents to leave decisions about their children’s education to the “experts.” I wrote about these members when they were candidates two years ago.
Unfortunately, all three won seats on the board, and Scottsdale residents have been living with the consequences every since.
WHAT’S AT STAKE IN 2026
SUSD Board Members Amy Carney’s and Carine Werner’s terms expire, leaving two seats on the November ballot. Carney is running for reelection; Werner has chosen to focus on winning reelection to the State Senate, where she will continue fighting on behalf of Arizona’s children. Voters in LD4 should support Werner’s reelection.
Although school board elections are nonpartisan, Scottsdale Education Association has endorsed another progressive, professional educator, Dr. Jennifer Johnson, to run for one of the two open positions. In her role as Assistant VP for Academic Alliances in K–12 Educational Development at Grand Canyon University, Dr. Johnson led the Superintendents Collaborative Network, a program designed to use experienced superintendents, including Menzel, to mentor new Arizona superintendents.
It is troubling enough that the education establishment has spent decades destroying public education and training new teachers to continue the same failed approaches—now its preparing superintendents to carry them forward.
Dr. Johnson also serves on the board of Love Public Ed AZ alongside Dr. Heather Cruz, SUSD’s Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. Given these connections, it appears Dr. Johnson was recruited by Menzel to run for school board as another pro-Menzel member and a reliable vote for his agenda to disrupt and dismantle the district.
SUSD residents cannot allow this to happen.
Amy Carney must be reelected to continue fighting for academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and common sense in SUSD while pushing back against Menzel’s radical agenda.
Jeanne Beasley should be elected to join Amy in that effort. Beasley has deep roots in Scottsdale, having lived there 30 years and raised three children who attended SUSD schools.
On November 3, 2026, Scottsdale voters must send a clear message to Menzel and progressives on the SUSD Governing Board: we will not stand by while he continues to disrupt and dismantle SUSD.
Elect Amy Carney and Jeanne Beasley to the SUSD Governing Board.
Author bio: Mike Bengert is a husband, father, grandfather, and Scottsdale resident advocating for quality education in Scottsdale Unified School District for over 30 years. His work is prominently featured in AZ Free News, Arizona Daily Independent and the Scottsdale Independent.
Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed by authors are their own. All rights are reserved.
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