Mesa Public Schools selects new superintendent after spending scandal
Apr 15, 2020, 6:00 PM | Updated: 7:24 pm
(Arizona K12 Center Photo)
PHOENIX – Four months after its superintendent resigned amid a spending scandal, Arizona’s largest public school district selected a new top administrator.
The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board voted Tuesday to make Andi Fourlis its next leader.
“Mesa Public Schools is a student-centered, future-focused district,” Fourlis, an Arizona native who attended elementary school in Mesa and began teaching in 1992, said in a press release.
“We will continue to harness the traditions and successes of the past to lead us into a bright future.”
Fourlis was previously deputy superintendent for the district and had been filling the top role since former Superintendent Ember Conley was placed on administrative leave on Nov. 18, 2019.
“Dr. Fourlis’ exemplary work ethic, growth mindset, and unwavering commitment to students, staff and family will serve the district well,” Elaine Miner, governing board president, said in the release.
Conley, who was hired in 2018 and had two years left on a contract that paid her $225,000 a year, resigned three weeks after being placed on leave.
Before Conley resigned, a former governing board member filed a criminal complaint against her that questioned raises she approved and other budgeting issues.
An internal audit completed in February found that Conley wrongly spent $410,000 in payroll for the 2019-20 school year.
Pending the completion of contract negotiations, Fourlis is slated to officially assume the superintendent title July 1.
Mesa Public Schools has about 80 campuses with more than 60,000 students.