Marana Unified School District voters on Nov. 2 will choose from five people running for two school board seats, currently occupied by Eric Brandriff and John Lewandowski, both of whom are running for re-election.
Money, accountability, student success and education quality are top priorities listed by the candidates. Since spring 2008, the district of nearly 13,000 students has seen a budget shift totaling $14.2 million, which includes state funding cuts as well as increases in fixed costs for items such as fuel and insurance, district spokeswoman Tamara Crawley said.
Voters in the district also will decide whether to approve a bond proposition.
Proposition 403 would raise money through the sale of $43 million worth of general-obligation bonds for the district to maintain and improve athletic and school facilities, replace buses, improve school security and purchase land for a future school site.
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Graham Glauser
Age: 31
Occupation: Real estate agent
Education: Bachelor of science degree in business administration and marketing from the University of Arizona
Civic activities: Boy Scouts of America troop committee member; Northwest Adult Soccer League
Top endorsements: None
Top priority: Getting the children the best education possible by providing excellent teachers and giving the teachers the resources they need to effectively teach the kids. Safety in the schools and communication also are important.
Contact: E-mail GGlauser@gmail.com or call 616-4663
Eric Brandriff
Age: 46
Occupation: Engineer at Raytheon Missile Systems
Education: Bachelor of science in business management from the University of Phoenix
Civic activities: Current president of the MUSD board, which he has been on since 2006; Girl Scout volunteer; volunteer at his children's schools
Top endorsements: None
Top priority: "As always, money," he said. "The funding situation in the state of Arizona for the school districts is poor, to say the least."
Brandriff also wants to see Proposition 403 pass, and he plans a continued focus on accountability across the district, from the Governing Board down to the student level. Communication also is important, he said.
Contact: Search for "Re-elect Eric Brandriff to the MUSD Governing Board" on www.facebook.com
Tom Carlson
Age: 46
Occupation: Engineer at Raytheon Missile Systems
Education: Bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Arizona; master of science in industrial engineering from Texas A&M University; master of business administration in finance from the University of Maryland
Civic activities: President of his homeowners association for two years; officer in the U.S. Army Reserve; member of Canyon Del Oro Baptist Church
Top endorsements: None
Top priority: "The top priority is to re-establish and maintain communication with the community," he said. "Right now the board is sort of detached from the community at large."
He also would like to track how well district students are prepared for life after high school, and to see all district schools earn at least a "B" grade in the state's new ratings system.
Contact: www.tom4musd .com or search on www.facebook.com for "Tom Carlson for MUSD"
John Lewandowski
Age: 65
Occupation: Retired public-school teacher
Education: Bachelor of science in social studies from Kent State University; master of arts in educational administration from the UA; and education specialist from the UA in educational administration
Civic activities: Current vice president of the Marana school board, on which he has served 12 years - the last four years and eight years in the 1980s
Top endorsements: None
Top priority: "Improving student success. With that comes accountability of everyone involved. When I say accountability, I can't just say teachers," he said. "The whole gamut. We're all working together to improve student success."
Contact: J.W.Lewandowski@ maranausd.org
Dean Spencer
Age: 21
Occupation: Student at Pima Community College and the UA
Education: Associate of arts degree in political science and working on a bachelor of arts in political science, with plans to attend law school
Civic activities: Member of PAC for a Better Marana, a political action committee. Also ran for the school board two years ago.
Top endorsements: None
Top priority: He'd like to see resource officers back on the middle school and high school campuses and would like to see Proposition 403 pass.
"I would like to be able to see us actually get textbooks for every kid again," he said.
"I believe our district has done a fairly decent job at keeping money in the classrooms."
Contact: E-mail DeanSSpencer@comcast.net, search for "Elect Dean Spencer" on www.facebook.com or call 240-3681
