2022 Candidate Statements

Linda Conn

Linda Conn is running for the two-year seat on the Prescott Unified School District Board. She is an accomplished professional, possessing a broad range of skills and experience. She began her professional career as a police 911-dispatcher, spending 18 years with the Long Beach, California police department. During this time, she volunteered with the Police Athletic League (PAL) working with the inner-city teenagers establishing good rapport between Police and Youth, working to keep kids off drugs and out of street gangs. 

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Changing careers, Linda taught elementary school in a disadvantaged area for twenty-five years and as a credentialed school counselor, using her skills in both an educational environment and the non-profit world while working as a volunteer rape crisis counselor and as a Disaster Services Worker in the Sheriff’s office.

Linda is also recognized across Arizona as an accomplished artist, exhibiting and selling her Western Art throughout the State. Carving hard-shelled gourds and cowboy caricatures are her passion.

This broad and deep level of experience allows Linda to understand and work with students and people with a wide range of temperaments, skills, life situations, and aspirations.

Linda’s varied range of education and experience also allows her to understand the need for and benefits of classical education, academic competence, and the differences between counseling and indoctrination.

Her goals are to raise the level of academic performance of PUSD students and to empower them with real-world skills and competencies in math, reading, writing, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, innovation, digital literacy, and adaptability.   She also supports classes like, but not limited to, home economics and personal finance, and supports the promotion of MICTED–Mountain Institute Career and Technical Education) that encourages the Trade School environment.

To accomplish these goals Linda is a firm believer in transparency and collaboration among parents, teachers, school administrators, and students. Linda will promote regular and consistent communication with parents regarding classroom activities and scholastic assignments and believes parents should have access to all materials used in the classroom or for after-school activities.

When elected Linda will immediately focus on the following areas of improvement for solutions:

  1. Create a Teacher-Parent-Board Committee to ensure parents’ and teachers’ voices are heard with regard to all school activities and curriculum.
  2. Scour the curriculum to remove Critical Race Theory (CRT), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), inappropriate gender dysphoria and sex curriculum, and anything else that distracts from academic achievement and sound management of the District’s finances and resources. Remove Common Core Standards and replace them with B.E.S.T Standards for Academic Success.
  3. Support the teachers that serve the best interest of our students. Linda believes the vast majority of real, everyday, nurturing teachers still care about the best interest of the child.
  4. Ensure that our children are SAFE at school by encouraging trained parent volunteers, retired law enforcement, and military Vets to monitor the school grounds with programs similar to www.FasterSavesLives.org

    LindaConn.com

Susi Edgington

Susi Edgington has been married 37 years to her husband Paul and has 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren. She worked in Flagstaff city schools in the cafeteria before moving to Phoenix where She worked for Deer Valley Schools for 13 years as the registrar of Anthem Elementary and then Boulder Creek High School while Anthem was growing. She has been a part of the Rimrock, Lake Montezuma neighborhood for the past 10 years where she has a small farm raising grapes and chickens.

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Susi wants to get education back to basic learning. Reading, writing, arithmetic, real science and history should be the fundamental purpose of our schools. Susi wants to give the parents back their rights to raise their children without corruption. Let children be children and stop the nonsense of how many genders there may be. Children also need music, art and Phys Ed.
Schools should be transparent and judged by the performance of the education they are teaching.

Stan Goligoski

My main reasons for running for the PUSD #1 Governing Board is to prevent outside negative and popular influences from infiltrating our schools, keep our children and teachers safe, and continue to send well-rounded, informed, and confident young men and women out into the workplace and higher levels of education. More importantly, I want to continue to preserve the rich traditions of PUSD as a community anchor institution for over 150 years.

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All elected officials should run on what they have done and continue to do for their community. I am not entering this election making promises that I will do. Instead, I am entering this race with a proven resume and track record of leading community initiatives and accomplishments. If you Google my name, you will see many local newspaper articles on these initiatives. However, there are many, many more initiatives that benefited our teachers and schools I have been a part of that never reached the media and I prefer to keep it that way. You will also see articles related to the 20+ years of active-duty service serving in the most high-speed and respected US Army units in our country.

After my retirement from the US Army in 2013, I moved back to Prescott when my high school track coach and civics teacher, Yavapai County School Superintendent Tim Carter, called to offer me a job working directly for him. At the time, I was assigned as an instructor and the operations officer at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. Over the last nine years, I served as the Executive Director for the Yavapai County Education Service agency. It was in this position that I applied my mission accomplishment mindset to the education environment. This resulted in finding innovative ways to find funding, connect resources, leverage supportive services and connect foundations to contribute to our schools.

Understanding school finance, the Arizona state statutes defining the laws of school district governing boards, and the challenges our teachers and administrators face every single day are areas I have already learned. These are not deterrents.

Serving the Prescott community is a passion of mine that was instilled in me along my path to Eagle Scout in Prescott Troop 1, through the many sports my brothers and I played, and especially from my highly respected teachers. All my scout leaders, coaches, and teachers were also pillars of this community. I learned from them and always knew that one day it would be my turn to fill their shoes.

My wife, Janelle, and I have deep roots in this community. We are both proud PHS Badgers, as are two of our very successful children. We also have two boys about to begin their education at Lincoln Elementary School. 

No matter the outcome of this election, Janelle and I will always continue to serve the Prescott community. It is our life-long love for Prescott, our schools, and our traditions that naturally drive us. Our blood will always run blue and gold!

Ryan Gray

Hello, my name is Ryan Gray and I’m running again for the Humboldt Unified School District Governing Board.  Please visit RyanGrayforHUSD.com to learn more about me and my priorities for our school district.

My wife and I are proud Humboldt Unified School District parents.  Our daughter has been a Panda, a Bruin and is a BMHS Bear.  I was honored to be appointed to fill a vacancy on the Governing Board by Tim Carter in 2017 and to qualify for election to a 4-year term in 2018.  In that time, I have achieved the Arizona School Boards Association Master of Boardsmanship in recognition of my focus on professional development. I am committed to being a collaborative, effective and educated board member.  I have an M.Ed. from NAU and have worked at Yavapai College for the past 10 years.

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Personalized Learning – Student Achievement

I will always ensure HUSD is relentlessly focused on raising levels of student achievement. That focus is demonstrated by the transformation of the district to a universal personalized learning model.  PL is a teaching and learning model that ensures that every student is engaged in learning growth wherever they are in any particular subject. PL has proven, across the country, to constantly increase measures of student engagement and achievement, regardless of student profile.

As Board President I ensured that PL implementation was the first priority in the hiring of our current Superintendent.

School Safety

I am committed to ensuring our school facilities are as safe as possible.  I have supported and will continue to support HUSD partnerships with Prescott Valley Police and YCSO. This includes being a champion of the addition of new School Resource Officers and the addition of school cameras and communication systems that are integrated with our local first responders. 

I have supported the securing of school access points and am proud those projects are all either completed or underway.

I will continue to support Matforce, our Yavapai County Drug Coalition in their efforts to protect our community. Our kids need information and protective programs so they can make great choices for their future.

Money to Classrooms

I have prioritized and will continue to ensure that HUSD targets every dollar possible into our classrooms for instruction and instructional support.  HUSD is one of the lowest funded districts in AZ and runs very efficiently.  The Arizona Auditor General’s report confirms that, compared to the state averages, HUSD spends more of each dollar on instruction and less of each dollar on administration.

Attract and Retain Highly Effective Staff

Delivering great education for our students depends on having great employees.  The #1 challenge for HUSD, and for most rural AZ school districts, is to attract and retain highly qualified, effective teachers, and staff for all positions.  District parents and the local community should insist that the board be laser focused on this issue.  We must support all opportunities for the district to adapt by increasing pay, creating better working environments, and encouraging partnerships to provide attainable housing.

Michele Hamer

My name is Michele Hamer, and I am running for one of the two open seats for a four-year term on Prescott Unified’s Governing Board.

I am presently retired with much of my professional career having been in business marketing and management before starting my own businesses. I have experience in strategic planning, forecasting revenues, team building, and analyzing Benefit-Cost Ratios (BCR). 

Throughout my 35 years in the competitive business world, the most important lesson I’ve learned is that you must focus on what’s best for your customers and staff to stay in business.

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On June 24th, the Arizona State Legislature passed H.B. 2853, which expands the Empowerment Scholarship Account Program, and the Governor signed the bill, which has an anticipated effective date of September 24th. This means Arizona is the most “Student Choice” state in the country with federal and state education funding that will follow the student whether they are learning in person or remotely, in a public school, private school, or home school.

Come September, there will be a level of competition our public schools have never experienced, and we will need guidance from experienced leaders, like me, who have.

In addition to my business/management experience, I am also:

  • Chairman/Co-Founder of AZ School Board Watchdogs
  • Member of the Arizona Women of Action
  • Member of America Pack School Board Team
  • Member of the Arizona Coalition of School Board Members
  • Volunteer for Trinity Christian School
  • A PUSD Volunteer from 2015 to 2019

When elected as your Governing Board Member for the Prescott Unified School District, I will bring my extensive management and marketing experience to bear on:

  1. Run the district as an Education Business, and our product will be the delivery of an excellent education for all students.
  2. Strive to be a valued partner to our parents and guardians, in their children’s education.
  3. Ensure the attraction and retention of quality teachers, who put our student’s success first.
  4. Stay within our budget, stop wasteful spending, and end failing programs.
  5. Follow Arizona and Federal Law, including the AZ Parents Bill of Rights, Title 15, A.R.S.36-789, A.R.S. 13-3506, HB 2906 and HB 36-1301

Deliver a time-tested classical curriculum in English Language Arts and STEM Education.

Marcia Hilborn

My name is Marcia Hilborn and I’m running for school board member to represent the children and families of Chino Valley School District 51. I have two degrees, one in Preschool Education and the other in Preschool Management. I am very familiar with the school community, having worked as a parent aide and a substitute aide in Del Rio, Heritage, and Chino Valley High schools. Most of my work has been with children with special needs. In 2016, I was nominated into Heritage Middle School Hall of Fame for my work in multi-generational teaching.

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I have participated in many other educational aspects. I was one of the first teachers at a Christian preschool in Prescott and also became the assistant director over a period of five years. Then I worked for Head Start for nearly 25 years as a teacher, education mentor, Early Head Start Home Based Visitor, Family Advocate, and Center Director. Altogether, I have over 30 years experience teaching and working closely with students and parents.

My roots go deep into Chino Valley. I have lived in Chino Valley for 40 years. I am married and have two grown children who attended Chino Valley schools. With my children, I was a den mother and active Little League supporter. Today I have 4 beautiful grandchildren, and this year, my husband and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. I have always loved Chino Valley and its small town atmosphere and friendly people.

I am active in my church, having taught Sunday School and Bible Studies and I am on the Worship Team. In 2017, I graduated from Mingus School of the Bible and received my ordination.

Through all this, my love for Chino Valley and for education should be evident. I am running for School Board to help promote the best quality of education for our children in our community.

I am very concerned about the effects that Critical Race Theory and Social Emotional Learning will have on our children and families. The US Constitution states that, “All men are created equal,” and I feel that if children are taught the original document of the Constitution and understand their rights as American citizens, there is no need to promote artificial interpretations that inflame racism, not heal it.

A further concern is the use of Common Core, especially math instruction which has proven to be an unsuccessful learning tool. We should get back to basics so our children have a sound education to help them become successful adults.

Finally, our students and parents need to know that all students are safe at school. We are all concerned about the safety of our children in schools. As a board member, I will diligently work to make our schools safer.

marciahilbom.com 

Deborah Hunt

My name is Debbie Hunt; I am running for the Ash Fork Joint Unified Governing Board. I have been a resident of Ash Fork for twelve years. During that time, I have been a volunteer at the Ash Fork Elementary School, a volunteer at the Ash Fork Museum, a volunteer at the Ash Fork Food Bank, on 7th Street, a volunteer highway cleaner at various ramps in Ash Fork on Highway Route 40 and currently work as a volunteer at the “Rancher’s Table Food Bank”, in Seligman. I am the proud mother of four grown children and the proud grandmother of three girls.

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While serving as a volunteer at the Ash Fork Elementary School, I came to know many of our youngsters and staff at the school. During my time here in Ash Fork, I have watched our children as they have grown and developed, and I am proud of these youngsters. Their development has been guided by their parents, our school system and our teaching staff. From what I see, they are doing a great job. When I get a chance to talk with the kids they are always upbeat and excited about their school, both academically and in sports.

If elected, I would help to build on our academic and sports successes and develop programs to enhance our graduate’s chances for successful lives and careers. Not all of our students are striving for the same goals. Some of them want to go into “white collar” profession, such as, accounting medical, managerial, etc. Others are looking toward professional skills, such as, carpentry, welding, forestry, electrical, service work, etc. Many students are undecided, but they have to obtain general skill that can make them ready for whatever future choices they make. If elected, I would work to continue the great work that was done by previous teachers and school board members. I would redouble our efforts in reading writing and math. I would be an advocate for vocational training. I would work to develop programs that would encourage our students to become good citizens to know our national history and respect our fellow countrymen. I would strive to have our Ash Fork school system provide the best education in The United States of America. Thank you for your consideration.

Lyana Mazon

My name is Lyana Mazon. I am 33 years old, born and raised Prescottonian. I have been married to my husband, Joshua Mazon for 16 years and we have four amazing children. My husband is a firefighter for Central AZ Fire and Medical Authority as well as a blackhawk pilot for the Army National Guard. We currently reside in Prescott Valley and I have devoted my time and career to raising our kiddos as a stay at home mom. I’ve never shied away from being involved in every aspect of my childrens lives: homeschooling the primary grades, volunteering in the classrooms, team mom, as well as volunteer work within the church.

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Why am I running for the school board? If you’ve paid any attention over the last couple of years it’s become pretty obvious that the federal government all the way down to our local school boards, there is no voter representation. Administrators have no intention of   encouraging the teaching of basics but rather choose to adopt convoluted curriculum focused on gender dysphoria, hatred of America and one another, and other extreme topics that will only endanger our children. Our local superintendents claim that there is no CRT in the classrooms, but fail to inform the community that CRT is not a specific class. It is embedded throughout the current curriculum (Social Emotional Learning). They claim to follow the laws put forth by the state of AZ about transgenders in female sports, bathrooms and locker rooms but what happens when the federal government threatens their funding? Instead of having the difficult conversations, looking for the solution and putting the voice of the parents at the forefront, the current school board has caved to the will of the government. Our communities experienced it during covid, parents were asked over the summer of 2020 if they wanted in-person learning or remote learning and 80% of the district voted for in-person learning. The board voted for remote learning! When the students were allowed back on campus, they were masked and had all kinds of asinine measures in place. Side note, we pulled our kids and homeschooled all of 2020. Recent studies have now determined that these measures caused negative impact in development and education. When the 2021 school year started, thankfully it was in person and no masks. However, the board decided to call an unnecessary emergency meeting to reimplement the mask mandate and other covid measures. Parents showed up in force and the board was livid. They were dismissive and disrespectful, rolling eyes, scoffing, whispering amongst themselves while parents were sharing their genuine concern. After experiencing this and other similar instances at regular board meetings, their complete disregard for community input is what has pushed me into pursuing this role. Our future is far too important to sit and say nothing. We need to get back to basics, parents need to be more informed of their rights and we need to protect our children. Education NOT indoctrination.

Tim McGhee

Greeting friends, my name is Timothy L. McGhee, Family Nurse Practitioner and a U.S. Air Force Veteran.  Being a parent of four children attending school within the Humboldt #22 School district, I am concerned about the direction our country is going as well as the politicization of the school boards in this nation.  Every day it seems as though we see parents attempting to recall school boards throughout our nation.  School boards are making decisions against the will of the parents and appears to have lost track with the purpose of education in our country today

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America has, seemingly, lost sight of her essential goodness laid out so beautifully in the self-evident truth “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, which among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” It is our solemn duty to educate our children, it is my duty to educate my children, to take hold of this reality. To fully take their rightful place as citizens in this remarkable country they must be equipped with a sound basic education. That is the job of our primary and secondary school system. As we have seen, so clearly over the last two years, school board service needs to be more carefully overseen by parents. It can too easily fall into the hands of ideologist whose only desire is to indoctrinate our children into ideologist like themselves.

It is time for change, this change involves electing new folks for key position in Yavapai County.  As you may notice, we have individuals in key educational positions for over a decade, compare this to our politicians, just as is politics, we need limits on these key positions.  Our education has not improved over the years with the same individuals in these key positions.  Time for change is now, we demand our children be educated appropriately in order to be successful in life. 

Ensuring that complete basic education is provided is the job of the local school board. This is my intention if you, the parents of the children of the Humboldt School District, elect me to the school board: That all of our twelfth-grade students function well at the twelfth-grade level in the basic skills of reading, writing, sciences, and mathematics at graduation. That they have had opportunity to broaden their fields of interest into other areas the system may be able to provide, whether it is languages, music, sports, etc. Our children need to be fully prepared their next step in life may be when they graduate from school.

I am running my campaign through my heart and soul to make a difference in order to bring back our education to our district and not to intertwine politics into education. I ask for voters to look at why candidates are running before they vote. Is the candidate running for their own political belief, power or is it for our children sake to better prepare them for the future.

Raymond Michalowski

My wife Jill and I have lived in Rimrock for 22 years. We have one son, and one grandson. I have served on the Beaver Creek School Governing board since 2020, as well as working with the Beaver Creek Vision Statement Project in 2011 and 2021. I have been an educator for over 50 years, teaching in both high school and college settings. I also served for 8 years as the founding chair of the Department of Criminal Justice at Northern Arizona University, from which I recently retired after 30 years of service. 

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As an educator, I have learned that a solid foundation of knowledge and basic skills acquired during early years of schooling are essential for future success both education and life. That understanding is what led me to join the Beaver Creek School Board.

For me, the most gratifying part of being a Board member is shaking the hand of each student at graduation. When I see the happiness in their faces and the joy of their families, I feel honored to have played a small role helping them take this step into the future.

As a school board member, I have been particularly focused on four things: 1) ensuring that the school is able to hire and retain quality faculty, 2) that those educators have the resources necessary to effectively deliver state-approved curriculum to students, 3) that the school district makes the best use of public funds entrusted to it, and 4) that everything that happens at Beaver Creek School takes place in and around safe buildings and grounds.

I am pleased that over the last two years, the School Board of which I have been a member helped implement a number of important changes. These include approving pay raises necessary to attract and retain quality teachers, reviewing and endorsing revised, sate-approved curricula in a number of subjects, supporting important safety and health projects such as a new fire alarm system and major improvements to the school’s heating and cooling, and bringing broadband, fiber-optic capabilities to the school and outlying homes of students. The Board contribution, however, of which I am most proud is helping an amazingly dedicated group of teachers face the challenges of continuing to educate Beaver Creek students under the difficult conditions resulting from COVID-19.

I am honored to have been a member of the Beaver Creek School Board, and ask for your support to continue contributing to quality education in your local school.

Andy Nelson

“Act, or be acted upon.” My name is Dr. Andy Nelson, and I am a Parent with a Spine.

 

It is an honor to be  a candidate for the 4 year seat on the Prescott Unified School District Governing Board. I am a constitutional conservative and traditional family values candidate. 2022 has become known as the “year of the parent.” My wife Sally and I have been married 38 years, and all six of our children have been educated in PUSD.  Five have graduated from Prescott High School and one just beginning 7th grade at Mile High Middle School, so I have skin in the game!  Every day that I drop our son off at school I say, “Soar with the Eagles, Take the High Road, and Return with Honor; I Love You.”  Parents  are responsible for their children’s education, upbringing, morals and  healthcare, not the government. As such, I am a big proponent of parental rights and involvement.

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  • Business owner in Prescott, treating  patients like family over 21 years.
  • Served in the community and active in my faith, with a love of God, family and country. 
  • A business owner and long time resident from the community will be far more objective than professional educators, former employees of the district or close friends to the Superintendent

We must act by emphasizing academic fundamentals, over the subtle, subjective relativism of non-essential social programs.

  • We expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity, over selective inclusion.
  • K-12 education is NOT the place for politicizing or sexualizing impressionable children.
  • Teach them “how” to think, not “what” to think.
  • Social programming may gradually displace and erode the core competencies that we send our children to school for, so we must act!

I want PUSD to thrive and compete in a school choice state through academic excellence and merit to attract enrollment and great teachers.

  • I will vote to increase teacher pay over administrative pay.
  • Community volunteerism  to bring more real world experience and service opportunities to our schools with inter-generational connection.
  • Public comment must be more accessible and less intimidating, with civility and respect to voice our opinions in our democratic republic.
  • ”In school” learning and freedom to access  education without mandates or contact tracing is the lesson we have learned.
  • Lost learning and federal funding entanglement has become our unintended consequence, adding layers of administrative bureaucracy.

We have been acted upon, but it is never too late to act!

We must take decisive action now to ensure that our schools maintain the traditional family values and academic excellence that has made Prescott “Everybody’s Hometown.”As a prospective trustee of public education in Prescott, I know that this non-partisan position requires principle and integrity, with a rational approach to represent All constituencies with fairness, and to uphold the rule of law. I am Dr. Andy Nelson, “A Parent with a Spine,” and I humbly ask for your vote on November 8th, 2022.

Laszlo Oberlander

Kirkland Elementary School District #23 Governing Board candidate

Laszlo (50) was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary.  He moved to Arizona for a job opportunity after earning his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics in 1996 and became a proud naturalized US Citizen in 2008.  He has been working in the software development industry in various positions from software engineer to team lead to director for the past 26 years.

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Laszlo is happily married and the proud parent of three children, aged 17, 15, 13.  Having guided three children through the school system, he shares a parent’s perspective on the challenges of raising children in today’s ever changing society.  He is also aware how important it is for the local community to support the school and staff.

He finished building his off-grid home in the Ruger Ranch area of Kirkland in 2020 and has been enjoying the quiet, peaceful country lifestyle ever since with his educator wife who works at the neighboring Skull Valley Elementary School.  Laszlo enjoys being involved in infrastructure improvement projects and he is not afraid of getting his hands dirty when the job requires it.

Laszlo often volunteers to help at his church and other organizations.  He has been serving as a board member for both the Ruger Ridge Property Owners Association (Kirkland, AZ) and the Good News Broadcasting Network (Scottsdale, AZ) since 2014.  He believes in fiscal responsibility and efficient use of taxpayer provided funds with full transparency.

Laszlo believes that educating our children is extremely important to prepare them for a successful and prosperous life of their own.  This preparation starts at the elementary school level.  Actually, it starts well before that at home, but that is outside the scope of the public school system.  Laszlo would like to help with enhancing the services provided by the Kirkland Elementary School to better fit the needs of the local community and elevate the knowledge level of our graduating students.

The elementary schools in rural communities face local challenges (aging/old/run down infrastructure, multi-grade classrooms, restrictive budget/resources) and at the same time provide unique opportunities (small classroom sizes, attention to special needs, personalized specialization, family friendly environment).  Laszlo would like to offer his services as a Governing Board member at the Kirkland Elementary School District to take advantage of these opportunities and help resolve or at least mitigate the challenges.  Laszlo promises to look out for the best interest of the students and always have an open ear to ideas from the members of our local community.

Please support Laszlo as a conservative voice with your vote this November.

Maraya Oothoudt

I am Mom and I am a lifelong resident of Camp Verde and I have 3 children. My 11 year old attends CVMS. My 8 year old attend CVES and my 3 year old will be starting school in the next couple of years. So the success and growth of our district is important to me. I believe that Education is a pillar in a successful community. I would like to see our schools advance technologically while still keeping our small town values. I am a believer in the 4 day school week because I have seen it benefit my children and the teachers allowing them to have a day for planning and appointments. While still having the weekend to spend with their families. I am at the school every day whether it be in the pick up line or walking my kids in to the school. I believe my first hand knowledge of what is happening at the school will bridge the gap between the parents/teachers and the board. I’m always have an open ear to opposing or new ideas and I am all about hearing what parents have to say when it comes to the education of our children.

April Payne

I attended Brewer Road School and went on to graduate from Sedona Red Rock High. My son now attends West Sedona, and I plan to send both of my children to SRRHS.  I have a deep love for our school district, and a personal interest in the health and success of our public school system. My number one goal is to support our teachers, so that we hire and retain the very best educators possible. My second priority is to bring a Spanish language program to West Sedona, as well as a sports program.

Dave Perey

My name is Dave Perey.  I was a teacher and administrator.  My career as an educator spanned 44 years.  I have had successes and challenges.  My hope is to be able to bring those experiences to the School Board that I may serve the best interests of students, parents, community, and the district.  The things that I think are important include maintaining strong academic programs, art and music programs, career and technical opportunities, strong extracurricular programs, support of teachers, and connections with parents and the community.

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I would like to ensure that every Chino Valley child is provided with an opportunity to become strong, independent, and critical thinking individuals with an educational foundation in language, math, science, history and civics.  I would like for every child to be able to find their place in our school programs.  Students need to have opportunities to enhance their talents in the arts and in music as well as opportunities for career and technical training.  This nation in many ways is struggling and it is going to take skilled, knowledgeable individuals to help us keep our nation moving ahead.

I would like to ensure that we have strong extra and co-curricular programs that provide a vehicle to teach our students what it is like to be part of a team, develop leadership skills, and to put into practice what is taught in the classroom.  Many times the skills learned outside the classroom are as important as those taught in the classroom in having a successful and rewarding life.

Lastly, I would like to work to ensure that our teachers have the resources that they need to do the job that we are asking them to do.  They know the strengths and weaknesses of every student that they teach and they can adjust or bring resources to better ensure that the needs of every child are met.  We need to attract the best and the brightest, pay them, support them, and expect them to do the job.

I have a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Education and Entomology.  I have a Master’s Degree in Agriculture Education and have been a certified principal and superintendent.  I taught Agriculture Education for 15 years, served as a principal/superintendent for 18 years, and have taught Agriculture Mechanics, Welding, and Auto Upholstery at Yavapai College since I retired.

My time now is spent working on a variety of old vehicles, teaching and helping out with classes at Yavapai College, watching grandkids play sports, and traveling to see the grandkids back east.  It is my hope now is to give a little back to Chino Valley and to the Chino Valley School District.

I have lived in Yavapai County since 1980.   We have had a home in Chino Valley since 1995.  I have four children and 8 grandchildren, two of which reside in Chino Valley and attend Chino Valley schools.  I love this town and this area and hope to finish out my days here.

Sharon Petrie

It is my desire to be on the Camp Verde Unified School District governing board to advocate for students and their parents, to help with policies and procedures that give every student the opportunity to reach their full potential. Keeping a safe, fun, and structured environment for all students and staff is paramount.
I see a school board member as part of a team between the school administration and the families.

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Prior to moving to Camp Verde in 1992 I lived in Chandler Arizona. For over 20 years I was in mortgage lending but also was a teacher’s aide in Mesa Public Schools and a reading mentor at Camp Verde Elementary School. My daughter did her student teaching in Camp Verde and currently is a teacher in another state. My son graduated from Camp Verde High School and my husband was a bus driver for Camp Verde Unified School District. I also have a grandson who attends school in Camp Verde.

Our children are our future and deserve the best we can give them.

Carlos Ramos 

Carlos Ramos is a Veteran and a former Police Officer.  Carlos is a political refugee who immigrated, legally, when he was 10 years old with his family from Cuba.  Carlos and his family escaped a repressive and greedy communist state for a better life in the USA. 

Carlos is also a father of two and a grandfather of four and so education is personal to him.  Having grown up in the USA, Carlos can’t help noticing how our world has changed from the time when he immigrated to the land of opportunity to the current condition of our country.  He sees repression, loss of individual rights and the decline of our educational system as a red-light that needs to be addressed.

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Carlos is passionate about improving the educational system and turning it away from being a political tool to being an educational system that provides needed skills and knowledge to our children to support them in their lives.

He believes the injection of focus on sexual identity, sexual activities, race and division and declining academic scores need to be curtailed.  He believes that the current popular ideology is robbing our children of a basic education in reading, writing, math, science, and arts which help bring us together as a society rather than pushing us apart.  Carlos believes we should be encouraging diversity appreciation versus victim mentality and division.

Please consider our children, consider the current state of our Beaver Creek School, and help him get elected to address the damage being done and bring sense and real educational focus back into our school.  Please vote for Carlos Ramos for Beaver Creek School Board.  He is ready to listen to you and fight for you, fight for our Children.

Jane Robertson

“Enough, if something from our hands has power to live and act and serve the future hour”

William Woodsworth

For those of you who do not know me, please allow an introduction.

  • Arizona Teacher of the Year 2004
  • Board member of the Prescott Education Foundation (operating the Teacher’s Closet)
  • Thirty-six years teaching elementary school: 30 years at Abia Judd in Prescott; 3 years in Mesa, AZ; and 3 years in Victoria, Australia
  • Three daughters who all attended PUSD schools from K-12 grade
  • Volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul
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One of the reasons that I am running for the PUSD governing board is that I truly believe my passion has always been children. If you allow your passion to become your purpose, then one day it will become your profession. Education has been my profession for 40 years and becoming a governing board member is the next step in my journey.

Governing board members set the vision and goals for the district. The board adopts policies and priorities to achieve these goals, sets student performance standards, establishes school budgets, approves calendars, deals with personnel issues, and adopts a curriculum. Members need to make decisions as team players, problem solve, advocate for public education and maintain good communication skills with community members. I believe that my many years in the classroom have helped me build these skill sets.

I was recently asked to describe my platform as a candidate for the PUSD governing board. To me, it is quite simple. The analogy I like to use is that of a three-legged stool. The seat is the heart and mission of PUSD – Every Child, Every Day. The legs, though independent, cannot stand alone and form the stability and strength of the district.

They work as follows:

  • Students – Every child that crosses our threshold deserves an education that is developmentally appropriate, individualized to meet that student’s needs, robust in scope, and child-centered in nature.
  • Staff – Teachers, classified employees, and administrators form a unique alliance. We put our trust in the hands of these professionals and expect them to teach a rigorous curriculum and foster critical thinking skills at every level.  Keenness of mind and kindness of heart go hand in hand.
  • Parents – Parents and guardians are a child’s first teachers. It is imperative that the district work with parents at every step of their child’s journey – remembering that dialogue is always more important than consensus. It is paramount that the voice of every individual in the community be respected.

With my experience, training, and passion, I can make a difference on the PUSD Governing Board. 

“We have two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak.”

Epictetus (55AD)

Lauren Robinson

I am running for re-election on the Sedona Oak Creek School District School Governing Board
because as a team we have worked hard to improve our school district, increase the number of students and outstanding programs and raise the level student performance. I have served as Vice President for the past two years and we have made great progress. However, our job is not completed. We need the cohesiveness and teamwork we have developed as a school board to continue our mission of growing our schools and providing our students with the very best opportunities to flourish, learn and become outstanding and contributing members of the community. Our community benefits when we are all working together in a mixture of outstanding communication, variety of ages, diversity, and positive spirit. We are on that path; rising to greatness! Re-elect Lauren Robinson and that trajectory will continue!

Jayme Sapp

I am passionate about public education and I have two children attending CVHS and CVMS. It is time that we support our students and our community by electing an advocate for student success and equitable growth. I am passionate about keeping a 4-day school week, along with finding a solution to our teacher shortage.

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I am eager to put my many years of experience as a compassionate and supportive leader, coach, wife, mother, and friend to good use. I have a proven track record of supporting our children and extracurricular activities.  Our community works hard and deserves the best. I will represent you and ask the tough questions relating to solving teacher shortages, addressing academic excellence, providing student support, and I will work hard to address how this can translate to healthy sustainable growth in our community.

For dedicated, honorable, consistent, and reliable leadership, I ask you to vote for me, Jayme Sapp.

Tom Stewart 

            My name is Tom Stewart and I am a candidate for the Clarkdale Jerome School Governing Board, 4 year term.  I have been a residence of Clarkdale for over 5 years and am coming up on my 20th anniversary of living in the Verde Valley.  As a parent of 3 children and 4 grandchildren in public schools, I understand the importance of a strong education to prepare our children for a productive and meaningful life.  The better prepared our children are, the better able to contribute to our society in a meaningful way, not to mention the better life they will have.  As a governing board member, I will pursue the following goals:

  • Ensure the school curriculum supports student achievement by providing a strong understanding in reading, writing, math, science, history and social studies.
  • Review course curriculum and text books to ensure they are age appropriate and provide the core values for each subject.
  • Support and improve upon the schools evaluating process to provide the best possible help for student’s needs.
  • Encourage and support parental participation in the education of their children.
  • Provide proper budget oversite to ensure student needs are met.

Mike Sullivan 

The Clarkdale/Jerome School District #3 is one of 25 school districts in Yavapai County and serves pre-K through 8 elementary students. The School Board has five governing board members, all which must be residents of the Town of Clarkdale or Jerome, AZ. The Board has both mandatory and permissive powers and duties under Title 15, Arizona Education Code. This includes budget and policy adoption, changes and rejection as well as adjusting to meet specific district needs.

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My name is Michael Sullivan (known by most folks locally as Sully). As a 13 year resident of Clarkdale, AZ, I filed with the Yavapai County Educational Services Agency as a candidate for the two-year board term to be seated on January 1, 2023. As a parent of two sons who attended public schools and a father and grandfather of dedicated educators, I recognize the importance public schools play in teaching students’ life skills as well as reading, writing, math, science, history and language.

I intend to focus much of my time and energy on reviewing classroom curriculum, supporting student achievement, and encouraging parental/caregiver participation in each child’s academic experience. To this end, I have set personal goals as a Governing Board member to assure I am standing up for the rights of parents/caregivers, teachers, and students.

My primary goals are:
 Assure each student has the opportunity and resources to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be competitive and productive in future endeavors.
 Review textbooks and curriculum on a persistent basis to assure content is consistent with age group and is focused on the core subject being taught.
 Support and evaluate programs which address specific needs or deficiencies of individual students and monitor student progress.
 Encourage parental/caregiver participation and dialogue with teachers, administrators, and governing board. Provide avenues for the public to ask questions or express concerns – it’s OK for you to be involved!
 Promote the concept of teaching students how to think, not what to think.

Cyndi Thomas

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

My name is Cyndi Thomas I thank you, the voters for entrusting me to be 1 of 5 voices to help lead and guide our local school district for the past 2 terms. I am running for a third term for the Chino Valley Unified School District #51 Governing Board; as part of the board, I currently serve as the President.

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As a fourth generation Arizonian, I am committed to the integrity and values of our community, and as a parent, I would like to continue to take an active role in the ongoing success of our local education system.  We have a strong school district with a mission to support our students, parents, teachers and staff.  With my experience as the Community Services Director for the Town of Chino Valley, I’m excited to offer my talents to help our school district adequately plan for the challenges of future growth within the district’s limited budget and funding sources.  I have held many leadership roles over the years; including, Parent Teacher Organizations, Youth Sports organizations, Church leadership positions, Service and Community Organizations; I am a 2010 graduate of Prescott Area Leadership

I believe the connection between parents and our school system is a relationship centered around our kids. Healthy relationships are powerful springboards for mutual achievement. They also require people feeling empowered to speak up and share in responsibility and transparency. That is not always easy or comfortable. Which is why I am unflinchingly committed to providing strong leadership and be both facilitator and arbiter of consistently building and maintaining a healthy relationship between parents and the school system.

My husband Mark and our children, Tyler and Bailey along with their families and our youngest son Mac, (who will be a senior at Chino Valley High School in the fall of 2022) have been a part of the Chino Valley Community for 18 years; my husband Mark has been apart of the Chino Valley High Football program for over 15 years. As an active community member, I believe that the vitality of our community lies in our children; we need to help facilitate our school children to grow into responsible mature adults to become the next leaders of our beautiful Chino Valley community.

The increasingly wild world of school board meetings, all over the country,  should have made my decision to run for a third term very difficult, but it instead made me more resolute than ever to continue to serve and lead.

 I am honored to have your support and your vote.  Thank you.

Lincoln Thomasson

I have been involved in supporting Beaver Creek School for more than 21 years. I have volunteered both in and out of the classroom. I have been involved in assisting the planning and building of the baseball/soccer/multi-use field, painting the gym, the construction of the bleachers at the ball field, etc. I was a member of the PTO for 5 plus years while my child attended Beaver Creek. I have more than 10 years’ experience coaching in both girls’ and boys’ sports programs at Beaver Creek School. I have been a sitting Governing Board member for the past year. These diversified experiences at Beaver Creek School give me specific insight into nearly every aspect of school operations.

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My past experience as the COO of a large residential concrete contractor that survived many boon and bust times. These tidal swings of economic impact forced me to be proactive in all areas of business operations to stay competitive while remaining solvent.

Drawing from my career experience and the many things I have learned as a Governing Board member of Beaver Creek School, I have found it not just important, but necessary to stay informed of the constant changing governmental policies and regulations.  Implementing and adhering to these government policies while serving our diverse socioeconomic community is not easy. However, it is the explicit function of the governing body of Beaver Creek School.

We, as a school governing board, have made serious progress in implementing policies and procedures that will permit our youth to move forward in their individual quests in achieving their goals.

I believe that no matter their background, or the path they choose, each student should have access to the tools needed to succeed.

I endorse educational models that maximize student achievement. I support the social and emotional wellness and safety of all members of the school community of Beaver Creek School.

I am fully invested in safeguarding the experiences of our community’s children. We all have a responsibility to support and prepare our children in a manner that allows them to become successful adults.

Our board will face many important issues in the future. We need strong, insightful people to address these challenges. My focus will be on decisions that have a positive impact on students, faculty, staff, and facilities.

Lincoln Thomasson

Sarah Vincent 

Re-elect Sarah Vincent for PUSD Governing Board member: Candidate Statement

Candidate at-a-glance:

  • Current Governing Board member for PUSD, appointed to the role by Tim Carter, Yavapai County Superintendent, in August 2021
  • Current Board Member of the Prescott Education Foundation
  • Current Education Director at the Highlands Center for Natural History
  • 10+ years of professional service in education with a focus on non-profit program administration, science education, and outdoor education
  • B.S. in Earth Science and M.Ed. in Secondary Education
  • Resident and active citizen of Prescott since 2014
  • 33-year-old loving mother to Sylvia (>1 year old) and wife of Andrew Zapushek
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I believe quality public education is foundational to the well-being of individuals and communities. When properly funded/supported and under thoughtful, experienced leadership public education can

  • Foster engaged and informed citizens
  • Train motivated and skilled workers &
  • Cultivate moral and kind neighbors

A Governing Board member is responsible to be of service to the district by taking a 10,000 ft view – ensuring accountability and oversight, as well as providing informed, respectful discussion that accounts for the will of the voters, the wisdom of the district leadership and staff, and most importantly, the well-being of the students.

As a current Governing Board member in good standing, professional in the field of education, champion of scientific literacy, accomplished student of Secondary Education, and a young mother of a future PUSD student, I believe our district would be best served by re-electing me.

Upon re-election, I will

  • Maintain integrity as a public servant and reaffirm my oath to serve the constitution of the United States of America and State of Arizona
  • Carry on with support, thoughtful consideration and accurate communication of the District’s strategic plan
  • Remain committed to public education, including advocating for proper funding and local control, the number one & two issues facing public education in Arizona and PUSD
  • Continue to encourage respectful engagement from parents and guardians of PUSD students – listening intently and striving to integrate the perspectives of all stakeholders in our multifaceted community
  • Persist in my reliance on educational experts and practitioners for guidance – consciously absorbing the day-to-day experience of teachers, support staff, administrators and actively studying educational resources
  • Most importantly, continue to prioritize a student-centered approach in every decision I make. I will continually rejuvenate my passion for the well-being and quality education of every student, every day, now and in the future.

Laurie Wathogoma

My name is Laurie Wathogoma and I am running for Camp Verde Unified School District Governing Board. I have resided in Camp Verde for the past 23 years and I absolutely love living in the Verde Valley. I have three daughters who all attended Camp Verde Unified School District. My daughters are now adults and I have 5 grandchildren who will be attending CVUSD too.

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My professional background is in education and public service. I spent 8 wonderful years working with the Camp Verde Unified School District in the following roles:

  • District Title VII Coordinator
  • South Verde High School Athletic Director
  • South Verde High School Tutor
  • Camp Verde Elementary Title I Tutor
  • South Verde High School & Camp Verde Elementary School Teacher Aide
  • My other professional background includes:
  • Cliff Castle Casino Human Resource
  • Yavapai-Apache Nation Court Advocate
  • Yavapai-Apache Nation Grant Writer
  • Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Housing Finance

Based on my past job experiences and my current position as Office Manager/Paralegal for the Yavapai-Apache Nation Office of Attorney General, I have gained the background and experience to serve effectively as a school board member.

I am passionate in the work, dedication and support it takes to give our students, teachers and staff all that is needed to provide quality education. I am a strong advocate for our students and parents. As a school board member I would embrace new ideas and the visions for growth and development of goals set forth by the team of staff, administration and school board. My years working in the Camp Verde Unified School District taught me that communication is key. I am a problem solver and team player that will work to the best of my ability with the CVUSD community on behalf of our students.

I am certified in Business Management and I also know from my experience working in government finance the importance of sound budgeting. As a school board member I will be open-minded to new ideas and work with the team to set and reach attainable goals.

I know what students and teachers face every day from my experience in the classroom. I have the knowledge it takes to be a Camp Verde Unified Governing Board member who will be hardworking and dedicated to the duties of the governing board. I am fair, honest, and loyal.

I am running for CVUSD governing board because I believe in a brighter future for the public education of all our community students.

Brianne Wolcott

My name is Brianne Wolcott – I have 3 reasons for running for a seat on the Humboldt Unified School District Governing Board: each of them share a last name with me – they are my children.

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My husband and I have always been deeply involved with our children’s academic growth, but our involvement began and ended with discussions and worksheets at the kitchen table.  We turned a corner when the pandemic turned our schools upside down.  Navigating the uncertainties was a challenge, especially as working parents, and it became obvious that it was our duty as parents to start attending board meetings and educating ourselves.  I’ve had the privilege of conversing with several HUSD families since I began this journey and I have discovered there is genuine concern about the direction our public education system is headed.  I hope to be a voice for those families as a Board member for HUSD.  As the saying goes: “nothing changes if nothing changes.”  I aim to be the change.  Thank you for your time and consideration – I hope to earn your vote on November 8.