An investigation into superintendent salaries in Arizona's school districts has exposed a battle for transparency. ABC15's journey to uncover the truth about public servant pay has been riddled with bureaucratic hurdles, leaving many wondering: Is this a deliberate attempt to keep the public in the dark?
While it's true that school superintendent contracts are public records, the process to obtain them is far from straightforward. The investigation team had to employ various strategies and endure months of waiting to overcome these obstacles. But here's where it gets controversial—some districts seemed to deliberately make the process more challenging.
The investigation, covering over 80 districts, began in April with a simple request for three items: the latest superintendent contract, a breakdown of their compensation, and details of employees earning over $100,000 annually. However, the response was anything but simple.
Some districts insisted on paper forms, while others quoted exorbitant fees. For instance, the Glendale Elementary School District initially demanded $3,671 for the information, only to later provide it for free after ABC15's journalists appealed, citing public interest. This raises the question: Are these districts trying to price out the public's right to know?
"The devil is in the details, and the bureaucracy," said Chris Kline from the Arizona Media Association, referring to the vague public records law that allows for such varied responses. This law, he suggests, is open to interpretation, leading to the inconsistent practices ABC15 encountered.
Despite these challenges, ABC15 remains dedicated to uncovering the truth. Their investigation found that some districts responded promptly, while others required multiple attempts or password-protected portals. Interestingly, the Cave Creek Unified School District insisted on a $2 paper check, a seemingly unnecessary hurdle.
Kline believes that while changes to state law may be needed, districts can also take initiative. Flagstaff Unified School District, for instance, has embraced transparency by posting superintendent contracts online.
This investigation sparks a crucial debate: Shouldn't public servant salaries be easily accessible to the public they serve? The right to know is at the heart of this controversy. What do you think? Is the current system fair, or is it time for a more transparent approach?
