also changed the chain of command for school psychologists. By this school year's end, more than half of the district's 28 psychologists resigned or retired.

So far, teacher resignations are on par with prior years. However, one departing teacher is 24-year Chaparral High School teacher Christine Marsh, who was named the state's top teacher in 2016.

"I am switching to Cave Creek because I want to work in a district that focuses on the needs of students, while still respecting the voice of teachers," she said in an email to The Arizona Republic.

Critics also raise concerns about two of Birdwell's hires: a chief financial officer who is part owner of a company that does work for the district, and a friend's brother. Despite concerns, Birdwell praised both administrators at asaid psychologists believed they should only report to another psychologist.

By comparison, school psychologists in the Cave Creek Unified School District report to two co-lead psychologists. The Higley Unified School District is creating a lead psychologist position ahead of the upcoming school year.

The state's largest school district, Mesa Public Schools, uses a similar system. Samara Way is Mesa's coordinator of psychological services, which is comparable to what other districts call a lead psychologist. She's also president of the Arizona Association of School Psychologists and called Scottsdale's loss of a lead psychologist "unfortunate."

Resignation letters The Republic obtained in a public records request showed several did raise concerns.

"I am unable to follow the National Association of School Psychologists practice model and believe it is my ethical responsibility to do so," psychologist