My take on the candidates for the Higley school board
There are three seats up for election on the Higley school board, with the terms expiring this year for governing board members Nancy Eugenis, Ed Moore, and Denise Standage (board members Vanessa Whitener and Kim Anderson both have two years remaining on their terms). There are five candidates running for those three open spots on the HUSD; Geoff Johnston (that’s me), Paul Howell, Greg Land, Taunya Lofgreen, and Denise Standage. Another candidate, Carolyn Starr, pulled out of the race a few weeks ago. (I have been told that Carolyn sent an email around endorsing me and Greg Land in her stead, so I am grateful for that.) Here is an article on the candidates that Hayley Ringle published over at the EVTrib some time ago.
Anyway, here is my honest take on the candidates based on what I know so far:
Greg Land - I’m a fan of Greg Land. I hope he is elected to the board. Greg served on the HUSD governing board from ‘02 through ‘06 (I believe) and ran for re-election two years ago but lost the seat to Vanessa Whitener. He is rather fed up with the lack of progress the district has made in that time and has decided to volunteer again. Greg would bring a few useful things to the HUSD governing board in my opinion:
1) He has previous HUSD board experience which can’t hurt
2) He brings a deep desire to dramatically change and improve the district
3) He is a parent of 2 students in the district
4) He is a strong supporter of athletics and would push to be sure HUSD sports programs are not short-changed
5) He provides experience in the construction industry which is quite useful in a board that must make construction decisions
Paul Howell - I met Paul for the first time last week in a group interview with the AZ Republic folks and was very impressed with him as well. I hope he is elected to the board too. After meeting Paul I suspect the folks over at Change In HUSD got their endorsements right by endorsing Greg, Paul, and me for the open seats. Here are the useful things Paul would add to the HUSD board:
1) He has four children in the district so he has a vested interest in improving HUSD
2) He is an experienced teacher with the Mesa school district by profession and has a doctorate in educational supervision and administration so he brings a very useful insiders perspective
3) He is a reasonable and intelligent man who sees the need for real changes in the district
Taunya Lofgreen - I haven’t met Taunya and don’t know very much about her. I am told she is also running on a change platform so that is a good thing. [Update: I met Taunya at the first forum and she is indeed interested in changes in the district so I am pleased about that.]
Denise Standage - Ms. Standage is the lone incumbent board member who is running again. She is also the lone board candidate I am going to recommend against. While people who have spent time with her tell me she is a very nice person, as a candidate she has a few knocks against her in my book:
1) Rather than send her children to HUSD schools she reportedly home-schooled them and she currently has no children in the district
2) She has a reputation for being completely in the pocket of Superintendent Lutrey. The reputation is likely well earned with her visits to schools at the side of Ms. Lutrey and the clear camaraderie the two display in board meetings.
To me, if voting for the other candidates are votes for change in HUSD then a vote for Ms. Standage is a vote for same ol’, same ol’. But of course that is just my opinion.
Geoff Johnston - That’s me. Here are the reasons I think I would be a good candidate for one of the open spots:
1) I have three children attending HUSD schools now and have a fourth that will start kindergarten next year so I have a vested interest in and am deeply committed to fixing what is broken in HUSD and helping the district to become a premiere district in the West
2) My professional experience, after I completed an MBA in ‘96, has been with growing internet companies so I have some experience with growing organizations and the challenges they face
3) One of my titles along the way was VP of Corporate Communications; and since communications (especially with the public) has been a problem at HUSD in the past I think I could help a lot there
4) My BA degree is in music and I would work to be sure the arts are not short-changed in the district
Anyhow, there you have my frank takes on the situation. The HUSD candidates will be on the ballot in the big general election coming up in November so may we all choose wisely for the sake of our children.
Christopher:
My wife works for this district. For the past couple of years living here I though I’ve seen it all. Coming from a state that puts education first. I’m just so amazed and can’t believe how much negative parents are out there eagerly wanting to attack administrators or demanding things that are out of the question for their children! I’ve seen and heard that the district this year cleaned house and got rid of certain people who were in positions that didn’t even know what the heck they were doing. I just feel that our board members and the new candidates are all out for revenge. What happened to were here for the students. And just because one set of parents dont get what they want or dont get what is owed to their child. Doesnt mean you have to go hog wild and demand resignations. As a parent myself to several students here at Higley. We need to allow see what changes are going to occur this year with this past years clean up. I am so tired seeing good friends being attacked there at the campus & district level. One last thing - Parents if you believe we need change we need to move forward and elect new board members who have never served on the board in the past. Out with the old in with the new.
September 26, 2008, 9:50 pmGeoff Johnston:
Thanks for the comment Christopher.
You said: I just feel that our board members and the new candidates are all out for revenge.
I’m afraid your feeling is wrong on that. I know I am not out for revenge. I know the other candidates now too and none of them are volunteering their time to get revenge on anyone. Rather all of the candidates want to volunteer to make our district better.
I do agree strongly with your last sentence though: “Out with the old in with the new”
September 26, 2008, 10:46 pmTaunya Lofgreen:
Hello I am Taunya Lofgreen. You don’t have any information on me, so I would like to introduce myself and explain who I am and why I want to be a candidate for Higley Schools Governing Board:
1) I have 3 children in the district and have had good and bad experiences with the school district. I see a need for change.
2) I am educated and and independent thinker. I have a Bachelor of Science from BYU in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Business Administration. I own and operate my own consulting business and have worked for several publically traded companies in marketing and land aquisisitions.
3) Its time for a change in the district. We have been made great strides in the district, but there have been some serious errors as of late. It is time for change. My wise grandmother reminded me often that, “there is a time and season for everything.” Now is the time! Now is the season for change! These are the years we will form the fundamental operations of our district, set the tone for continuing years, and elevate teaching and programs (athletics, special education, ROTC, Honors programs, Clubs, etc.) to a new level . This is the season to recruit and retain qualified staff and teachers. Now is the time for new leadership. We cannot afford mistakes, accept poor communication and personality conflicts to slow our need for growth and change. Now is the time! Now is the season!
4) Now is the time to give our children the education and leadership they deserve. Now is a season for change.
5) Now is the time to give our qualified educators support with qualified leadership. Now is a season for change.
6) Now is the time to give our children, parents, educators, and staff a voice that will be heard and not dismissed. Now is a season for change.
7) Now is the time vote change! Now is the season to be heard!
8 ) We have not heard enough about the positive happenings in the district, such as, having more Nationally Board Cerified Teachers than Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert Schools combined.
9) We as parents have not heard about the status of our schools. We have 2 schools, Power Ranch Elementary and Higley High School that achieved “Excelling School” status from the state.
Here is a link with more information about me http://members.cox.net/lofgreenforhigleyboard/
Vote change. Don’t vote for a ticket, vote for independent thinking.
VOTE LOFGREEN
October 18, 2008, 2:10 pmsuzie:
Stop spending so much time trying to find fault with the superintendent and concentrate on the children. I have heard so back biting, gossiping, untruths, personal agendas. Being on the school board should be an opportunity to further the expectations and goals of the school, teachers and children. If some of you would put your energy into what’s important and not having your little click gossip sessions, then maybe the children would benefit from your efforts.
November 27, 2008, 4:54 pmGeoff Johnston:
Huh? Who is your comment directed toward Suzie? I don’t see anyone concentrating on the superintendent in this thread. Anyway, the election is over already (not sure if you noticed that…)
BTW — I think the word you were after is “clique”
November 27, 2008, 5:25 pm