When Michael Cowan failed to show up in public at the 15th Annual Mesa Latino Town Hall Oct 28th, suspicion followed, so let's cut through the fog of fake news:
Mesa schools chief retiring to follow a higher calling
Tribune News Staff
"Mesa Public Schools Superintendent Michael Cowan is stepping down from his position in the state’s largest school district to answer a higher calling.
Cowan announced he was retiring from the position he has held for nine years to take on a mission with his wife for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to an undetermined location. . . "
Perhaps some other people who know the circumstances better might want to suggest a certain location for what appears to be, by some fairly reliable accounts, that there was financial mismanagement by either undisclosed "friends-and-family" members or undisclosed business associations that are getting looked into by the appropriate authorities. (See information to the left)
If anyone else has any other information on what might have forced his resignation, without Michael Cowan being held to account to face the consequences, they need to not only speak up now but to take action if there's any suspicion at all about fraud or ethics violations while he was the Superintendent of Mesa Public Schools. Do it now.
If anyone else has any other information on what might have forced his resignation, without Michael Cowan being held to account to face the consequences, they need to not only speak up now but to take action if there's any suspicion at all about fraud or ethics violations while he was the Superintendent of Mesa Public Schools. Do it now.
Here's a clue: You need to get very good with the below document.
Read the comments after the quotes from the article go on and on
“I have had the distinguished honor of leading the finest educational institution in Arizona. As I begin this next chapter in my life, I will leave knowing each dedicated Mesa Public Schools employee will continue the important work of educating every child and preparing them for college, career and community,” said Cowan, who also is state LDS president."
QUESTION: Why does the EVT News Staff mention this?
Kishimoto was replaced by a Mesa assistant superintendent, Shane McCord, and Baca’s associate superintendent, Kevin Mendivil, will take over for him next summer.
Mesa said the school board would take up a process for replacing Cowan sometime in the near future.
Before becoming superintendent in 2009, Cowan served as associate superintendent, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, director of science, social studies and world languages, and district science specialist. He joined the district in 1988 as a teacher, educating students at Irving, Lehi and Porter elementary schools.
“In my 30 years at Mesa, I have watched the needs of our learners grow and change,” Cowan said. “It has been my unwavering passion to ensure we provide appropriate services for all students, especially those most at risk.”
Under Cowan’s leadership, the district has widely adopted Advancement Via Individual Determination, or AVID, a program that focuses on developing a growth mindset in students and a college readiness culture in schools.
Through Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS), the district has increased enrollment of underrepresented populations in advanced high school courses. Most recently, Cowan spearheaded the launch of new grading practices that best represent a student’s level of proficiency on established skill-based standards.
He is a member of the national Large Countywide and Suburban District Consortium that advises federal legislators, sits on the College Board’s Superintendent Advisory Council and currently serves as president of the Arizona Association of School Administrators.
He also serves in a leadership capacity for many community organizations, including Mesa United Way, Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Mesa Public Schools Foundation, Boy Scouts of America and Arizona Brainfood.
WHO'S THIS UN-IDENTIFIED SOURCE???
> One source said it was no surprise Cowan was retiring now because he has 30 years in the state retirement system and the incremental increases in pension are not that significant after that time.
> One source said it was no surprise Cowan was retiring now because he has 30 years in the state retirement system and the incremental increases in pension are not that significant after that time.
> The source also pointed out that being called for a mission is a high honor in the Mormon church.
This was Cowan's first Superintendent position. (Yes he was an Asst)
His predecessor was a veteran and she made nearly 1/5 less.
He asked the board for a raise before taking the job.
He spent millions on technology and test scores and enrollment decreased during his tenure. (More than 10 million in the district data center alone)
There were 6 additional positions added to the superintendency.
Most all of the directors were bumped to executive titles.
The Director of Information Systems was promoted to CIO (totally new position) and many other high paying positions were created and title changes.
All in all he spent a really really huge sum of money on a small amount of his inner circle and his results were pretty lackluster.Link: East Valley Tribune