An articles on the candidates for the HUSD governing board
Hayley Ringle from the EV Trib gave me a call a few weeks ago as she was preparing to give brief biographies of the six initial candidates vying for the three open seats in the Higley Schools governing board. Here is a link that article. She had this to say about me:
Geoff Johnston, 38, runs an internet consulting business. He has been involved in several startup businesses, and said his experience fits the Higley district with its growth environment.
“From my take, a school board isn’t all that different than a board of directors,” said Johnston, who has an MBA from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree in music from Brigham Young University. “I would like to see our schools getting so good that families that have left the district will come back.”
He has three children at Cortina Elementary School. Samantha is a sixth-grader, Erin is in fourth grade and Quinn is in first grade. His daughter, Josie, will be in kindergarten next year.
Yep — sounds about right. Nice work Hayley.
Last week one of the candidates, Carolyn Starr decided to pull out of the race. Here is a link to a write up on that from the Arizona Republic (combined with another very odd and sad story actually).
I haven’t see the email Carolyn sent around announcing her decision to withdraw from the election but I am told she threw her support behind me and Greg Land. I am very appreciative to her for that vote of confidence
Monica:
My thoughts on the forum last night! Howell, Johnston, and Land you did awesome. Thank you for discussing reality and not being affraid to fight! I have emailed all of my friends your names.
Mrs. Standage…
though you seem like a nice lady, you just don’t get it! Some facts to keep in mind…
1. You keep using Career Ladder as an excuse. The only district really close to us that participates in CL is Chandler. Gilbert District doesn’t do it, nor do any of the Charter schools around here. We are losing many students and teachers to the Gilbert district and these Charter schools. What is your excuse for them leaving?
2. You keep telling us all that we don’t look at the “positive” things that are going on in the district…the changes that Mrs. Lutrey has made. Keep in mind that many of us, if not most, were not here before she was. We can only compare what is going on in our district with surrounding districts. We still fall below.
3. Though there are great things going on, WE WANT MORE. We want to be out of the newspaper every week! We want EXCELLING schools! We want better middle-school test scores! We want National Merit Scholars! These seem like basics to most parents. Look at it from our point of view!
4. Although it is your free choice, many people do not understand how you can tell us how great this district is when you didn’t even educate your own children here. That is basic politics.
5. The reason that your competition, running for the board, is so attractive to many parents is because we are ready for MORE, MORE, MORE. We are ready for less excuses. There is NO REASON why our district is not better.
Good luck to you three men…you have my vote! (Welcome back Greg Land!)
September 24, 2008, 10:36 amGeoff Johnston:
Thanks for the comment and encouragement Monica. I’m glad you were able to make it last night.
September 24, 2008, 2:08 pm