Comments on: Hey, look who the Arizona Republic recommended for the Higley School board

By: Geoff Johnston

Geoff Johnston — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:03:13 +0000

Thanks for the votes Cheryl. Hopefully word will get out sufficiently on this important election decision. Most voters spend all sorts of mental energy on presidential choices but the votes that make the biggest impact in our lives (and home values) are usually near the bottom of the ballot on things like the school board candidates and the school budget increase.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:38:05 +0000

Just voted for all of you men!!! Go get em! We need change and we need it now! I am tired of the superiority of the board and Dr. Lutrey. (wait, can we call her that now?) It is time to put our kids, teachers and parents first. Thank you so much for caring enough to run for office and you have our full support!

By: Monica

Monica — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:31:51 +0000

The most frustrating thing to me is that I started out supportive of them. The public WANTS to support them. Unfortunately, THEY have created an “us and them” feeling in this district. People are simply tired of it. We want our teachers to be happy to come to work each day because that, in turn, helps our children. Good luck! My ballot goes in the mail today!

By: Geoff Johnston

Geoff Johnston — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:23:25 +0000

I get the feeling that the District doesn’t want to hear it. But the public schools belong to the public and the way the public can change things is by voting in board members that create the needed changes. I very much appreciate your support Monica and I know Greg and Paul appreciate the support they are receiving too.

By: Monica

Monica — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:13:43 +0000

Whether the “District” wants to hear it or not, many, many people are waiting with held breath for new board members to be voted in. Those in the community that I live in know who is running and they are voting.

A raise for the current Superintendant would be such a bad idea.

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:48:40 +0000

I also wanted to recall a situation I witnessed at the infamous “Mob” board meeting last spring. There were many upset teachers there simply voicing concerns. I also saw members of the upper district office approaching district office staff members asking what they were doing there. It didn’t dawn on me at the time but at the following meeting I saw it again. It seemed funny that these staff members were treated as though they should not be there. When asking if that was normal, I was told they had every right to attend as residence of the district, however lately, I have seen less and less district employees in attendance. It makes me wonder if they were reprimanded.

By: Geoff Johnston

Geoff Johnston — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:09:15 +0000

The choice of Standage by the Republic was surprising to me as well Peggy. I agree with your general take on the subject. Thanks for your support.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:23:57 +0000

I find it strange that the Republic backs Standage as a candidate for school board. Since Standage chooses to homeschool her children, why should I vote for her to make educational decisions for my public school students when she doesn’t trust the public school enough for her own children?

Standage has been given 4 years to make a positive difference in HUSD, but from the board meetings I’ve attended, she appears to lack the knowledge and understanding of how a school district runs/or should run.

As a community member and parent, I have not seen nearly enough emphasis put toward our children or our teachers. Standage is not the only board member who has failed to meet my expectations for holding the current administration accountable.
However, my hope is that a new board will be voted in, and my support is for Land, Howell, and Johnston.