Candidates for school boards

Five people are running for three Governing Board seats in the Catalina Foothills School District.

Incumbents Mary Lou Richerson and Sherri Silverberg are facing challenges from John R. Bergan, Tammy Caillet-Falbaum and Lucas Minni.

Catalina Foothills schools have all received excelling labels from the state's accountability system, AZ Learns, since the program started in 2002.

Supporting student achievement is a priority shared by all the candidates, but they also want to allocate financial resources wisely as budget challenges have hit the district.

Deep cuts in state funding forced the district to eliminate free full-day kindergarten for the 2010-11 school year, and parents had to pay about $3,000 to enroll their children in the program.

Andrea Rivera

Mary Lou Richerson

• Age: 55.

• Occupation: Registered nurse.

• Education: Master's of Science degree in nursing, University of Texas, Austin.

• Civic activities: Catalina Foothills Governing Board member, president, vice president from 2002 to present; volunteer in K-12 education from 1985 to present; volunteer client advocate/ultrasound nurse at The Crisis Pregnancy Centers of Tucson from 2008 to present.

• Top endorsements: Cliff Altfeld, chairman of the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board Audit Committee and former CFSD Governing Board member; Janell Jellison, Realtor with VP Long Realty and former CFSD Governing Board member; and Carole Siegler; current CFSD Governing Board member.

• Top priority: Continuing excellence through strategic planning, fiscal management and enrollment preservation.

• Web address: reelectmarylou.com

John Bergan

• Age: 45.

• Occupation: Co-owner and vice president of a Tucson-based software company.

• Education: Ph.D. from the University of Arizona.

• Civic activities: Attends nearly every CFSD Governing Board meeting and is active in discussion of issues facing the district.

• Top endorsements: Todd Camenisch, Alice Catallini and Carole Siegler

• Top priority: Opportunity for every child to achieve his/her full potential.

• Web address: johnb4cfsd.com

Lucas Minni

• Age: 24.

• Occupation: Student, clerk at Bashas' and volunteer baseball and softball umpire.

• Education: AGEC from Pima Community College and currently a student through Arizona State University's online program.

• Civic activities: Umpire for Canyon View Little League and Arizona District 5 Little League.

• Top endorsements: None.

• Top priority: Balanced budget, more student involvement and appropriation of state funds.

• Web address: Find Minni on Facebook at "Lucas Minni 4 District #16.

Tammy Caillet-Falbaum

• Age: 39.

• Occupation: Mother and as-needed liaison for the Federal Office of Personnel Management Voter Rights Program.

• Education: Master's degree in educational leadership.

• Civic activities: Board member of the Educational Enrichment Foundation; member of the Salpointe Parent Association; former member of the Associate Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson.

• Top endorsements: Tony Wagner, author of "The Global Achievement Gap;" Mark Ziska.

• Top priority: Ensure fiscal responsibility and recruit, retain and support quality educators.

• Web address: tammy4education.com

Sherri Silverberg

• Age: 50.

• Occupation: Certified public accountant.

• Education: Bachelor of science degree in public administration from the University of Arizona.

• Civic activities: Fifteen years volunteering for Catalina Foothills School District schools, including four years on the Governing Board; treasurer of the Tucson Soccer Academy board of directors; treasurer of the Winding Road Theater Ensemble board of directors.

• Top endorsements: Marc Koepsel, Catalina Foothills School District teacher; Trish McCabe, Esperero Canyon Middle School Parent Leader; Ted Schmidt, attorney and community volunteer.

• Top priority: Prepare students for the future through effective planning and fiscal responsibility.

• Web address: www.Silverberg4CFSD.com

Three people are running for two Governing Board seats in the Amphitheater Public Schools district.

Eight-year incumbent Jeff Grant is facing challenges from Scott Leska and Susan Zibrat.

Amphi has had to cut about $10 million from its budget over the last two years, and board members not only play a local role in addressing budget issues, but also a state leadership role in terms of working with the Legislature to maximize school funding, said Todd Jaeger, the district's associate to the superintendent and legal counsel.

Board members also will have to support the district as it starts the International Baccalaureate program at its schools and see the district's bond program through its completion, Jaeger said.

- Andrea Rivera

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.

- Shelley Shelton

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

Five people are running for two seats on the Sunnyside Unified School District Governing Board.

Incumbent Eva Carrillo Dong is facing challenges from Sherrie L. Burdic, Buck Crouch, Ignacio G. Gomez and Steve R. Olguin.

The district is dealing with declining enrollment, and a bilingual recruitment campaign is under way that is attracting out-of-district students. It has 17,400 students now; two years ago it had 18,000. The district receives about $4,000 per student each year in state funding.

This year's budget of $141 million is $41 million less than last year's budget, resulting in 80 fewer teachers and fiscal belt-tightening including employee furloughs, larger classes, no new furniture or equipment for classrooms and no new or replacement textbooks.

Eva Carrillo Dong

Age: 53

Occupation: Superintendent of Pima Accommodation School District.

Education: 1974 Sunnyside High School graduate; 1978 bachelor of arts degree in secondary education from the University of Arizona; 2004 master's of educational leadership degree from Northern Arizona University; and 2010 superintendent certificate from the University of Phoenix.

Civic activities: Past chairwoman of Child and Family Resources Liberty Partnership Council; member of Elder's Use of Services Council/UA College of Nursing; director of Region 2 Hispanic/Native American Indian Caucus.

Top endorsements: Pima Area Labor Federation, Sunnyside Education Association and Sunnyside Classified Education Association.

Top priority: Strong community through early childhood programs, technology and higher education.

E-mail address: evacarrillo dongforsusd@yahoo.com

Sherrie L. Burdic

Age: 65

Occupation: Retired accounting specialist for the Sunnyside Unified School District.

Education: 1963 graduate of Bellaire High School in Bellaire, Texas; took business classes at Pima Community College in 2000.

Civic activities: Sunnyside Neighborhood Association.

Top endorsements: State Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Tucson.

Top priority: Fiscal accountability and making sure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

E-mail address: azdezrtrat@msn.com or phone 591-7311

Buck Crouch

Age: 61

Occupation: Manufacturing systems consultant

Education: 1966 Sunnyside High School graduate; 1983 bachelor of arts degree in management from the University of Phoenix; 1996 master's of business administration degree from the University of Arizona.

Civic activities: Secretary for the Kino Rotary Club of South Tucson; second vice president of the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association; parliamentarian of the Sunnyside Alumni Association.

Top endorsements: None.

Top priority: Improve the quality of education and educational opportunities for children.

Web address: www.buck crouch.com

Ignacio G. Gomez

Age: 68

Occupation: Retired ironworker.

Education: 1961 Sunnyside High School graduate; 1972 certification for ironworker journeyman from Pima Community College; completed construction courses in the mid-1970s and computer courses in the late 1980s at PCC.

Civic activities: Community chairman for Raytheon Missile Systems Unified Community Advisory Board; former member of the Human Rights Committee for the Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Developmental Disabilities; member of the Cherry Avenue Neighborhood Association

Top endorsements: None

Top priority: Providing children a thorough education from kindergarten to high school.

Web address: www.gomez4sunnyside.com

Steve R. Olguin

Age: 55

Occupation: Apollo Middle School seventh-grade social studies teacher

Education: 1973 Sunnyside High School graduate; 1980 bachelor of arts in education from the University of Arizona; 1991 master of arts in education from the University of Phoenix.

Civic activities: Volunteer teacher at First Southern Baptist Church and volunteer tutor and Student Council sponsor at Apollo Middle School.

Top endorsements: Sunnyside Education Association, Sunnyside American Federation of Teachers Local 1243 and Pima Area Labor Federation.

Top priority: District transparency, engage community in decision-making and prepare students for college.

Web address: www.facebook.com/srolguin

Contact reporter Carmen Duarte at 573-4104 or cduarte@azstarnet.com

The four candidates seeking a seat on TUSD's governing board took time out on Monday evening to let the public know where they stand on various issues.

Incumbent Adelita Grijalva sat down with challengers Michael Hicks, Miguel Ortega and Armand Salese at Catalina Magnet High School, 3645 E. Pima St..

The four are vying for two open seats on the board.

The community forum was presented by the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson and Tucsonans United for a Sound District.

• What aspects of TUSD culture does the new superintendent need to maintain, and what aspects need to change?

Grijalva said she would like to see first-choice schools and site-based decision-making remain a part of TUSD culture. She would like the district to do a better job of communicating the positive things happening in the district..

Hicks said he would like the new superintendent to be flexible and be willing to implement change. He believes there is a need for more professional development for teachers.

Ortega said he would like a superintendent who will commit to the community and who represents a culture of accountability.

Salese said he believes TUSD needs a superintendent who knows how to run the district as a business with the product being a good education. He would like to see the district focus on excellence in terms of management, teachers and instruction to kids.

• Did desegregation succeed in raising academic achievement?

All of the candidates agreed that there is still work to be done to ensure the educational needs of all children are met.

• How can TUSD deal with shrinking enrollment and a decrease in state funding?

The promotion of the positives in the district will help recruit and retain students, according to Grijalva. She also believes it is important to offer good customer service to students and parents, and to expand on early childhood-development programs. In addition to advocating for more funding at the state level, Grijalva would like to see the district apply for more federal grants.

Hicks would also like to see better customer service for families in an effort to show that they are wanted in TUSD, he said. He pointed out the need to rebuild the trust of parents and taxpayers before working on the legislators.

Ortega supports looking at successful programs both within and outside of the district and replicating them to give parents choice. He would also like to see the district form partnerships around the Tucson area.

Salese argued that the district does not have the public's trust because it does not require that children receive a good education. He stated that children tend to be pushed through the system whether they're ready or not and until that changes, the public trust will not be regained. He also said the district needs to be less antagonistic toward lawmakers and the state superintendent in order to get more funding.

• Should Mexican- American studies classes be used to satisfy a history requirement?

Grijalva said the courses have passed the standards that are required by Arizona for history and students should get credit. She added that the courses encourage critical thinking and have been shown to increase the likelihood that students will graduate and seek higher education.

Ortega agreed with Grijalva, saying the program has become far too politicized, which he called unfortunate considering the positive that has come out of it.

Hicks does not believe the courses should satisfy the history requirement and would prefer to see it as an elective.

Salese took the same position, saying he wanted to make certain kids are taking core courses first to ensure they will be able to function in the real world.

Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at ahuicochea@azstarnet.com or 573-4175.

Four people are in the running for two Governing Board seats in the Tucson Unified School District.

Of the four candidates, only one - Adelita S. Grijalva - is an incumbent.

Tucson's largest school district is facing myriad challenges, including declining enrollment, turning around its public perception and improving student achievement.

Last year, the Governing Board voted to close nine schools as a result of state budget cuts and student loss.

The board is in the process of selecting a new superintendent.

Adelita S. Grijalva

Age: 38

Occupation: Director of Pima County Teen Court; countywide diversion program

Education: Pueblo High School graduate; bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Arizona

Civic activities: At-large Democratic National Committee member, member of Las Adelitas, member of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials

Top endorsements: Tucson Education Association, Pima Area Labor Federation, and Educational Leaders Inc. (TUSD administrators)

Top priority: Continue increasing graduation rates, improve curriculum and expand pre-K programs.

Website: www.facebook.com/pages/Adelita-Grijalva-for-TUSD-School-Board/130007817047419

Michael Hicks

Age: 51

Occupation: Intelligent Transportation Systems manager for the city of Tucson

Education: Bachelor of science degree in leadership management, and associate's degree in general studies/computer science

Civic activities: President, Network Professional Association; president, Southern Arizona Network Users Group

Top endorsements: None

Top priority: Increase student learning through accountability. Set attainable rigorous academic standards.

Website: www.hicksis4kids.com

Miguel Ortega

Age: 43

Occupation: City of Tucson council aide

Education: Bachelor's degree in fine arts from the University of Arizona. Completed several graduate courses in history and political science at the UA.

Civic activities: Founding board member of the Tucson steering committee of Local First Arizona (a statewide, local business advocacy group); master of ceremonies in support of several organizations such as The Kinship and Adoption Resource and Education Family Center and the Arizona Heart Gallery (finding homes for foster children).

Top endorsements: Tucson Education Association and the Pima Area Labor Federation

Top priority: Fiscal accountability, support successful programs, local control, community/business collaboration.

Website: www.ortegafortusd.com

Armand Salese

Age: 68

Occupation: Lawyer

Education: Bachelor's degree in economics; juris doctorate (J.D.), law

Civic activities: Pro bono legal work

Top endorsements: Seeking none

Top priority: Require accountability from teachers/administrators. Give kids world-class education.

Website: www.salese4tusd.com

Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at ahuicochea@azstarnet.com or 573-4175.

Four people are running for two seats on the Vail School District Governing Board.

Incumbent Randal S. Kinkade is facing challenges from Claudia E. Anderson, Del Dawley and Suzanne M. Roelike.

The current budget of $70.3 million is $1.9 million less than last year's budget because of cuts and the fact the distirct only grew by 488 students.

The cut led to half-day kindergarten, larger classes, fewer teachers' aides and no new textbooks or computers. Also, maintenance projects have been delayed or canceled.

Vail is asking voters for a 15 percent maintenance and operations budget override on Nov. 2. If voters do not approve the override, the district is expected to lose 135 teachers over three years.

Currently, the district has 650 teachers. A new high school for 700 students is expected to open in 2012, and a new elementary school for 600 students is expected to open in 2013.

Fourteen of the district's schools are excelling in state standards set by the Arizona Department of Education.

Claudia E. Anderson

• Age: 56.

• Occupation: Paralegal with the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation

• Education: 1976 bachelor of arts in history from the University of Arizona; 1978 post-baccalaureate certificate from the University of San Diego Lawyers Assistant Program; took international management courses in 1979 at Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management.

• Civic activities: Chairwoman of the Vail Community Action Board; member of Community of Vail for Education Committee; former member of Vail Visionary Project.

• Top endorsements: None.

• Top priority: Continuing the legacy of excellence in educating our students.

• E-mail address: chloelynn@cox.net

Del Dawley

• Age: 52.

• Occupation: Information technology principal analyst for Pima Community College.

• Education: 1989 associate's degree in applied science in business administration from Pima Community College; also attended classes at the University of Arizona.

• Civic activities: Member of the Association for Institutional Research and Arizona Association for Institutional Research.

• Top endorsements: None

• Top priority: Increase communication with parents, students and businesses.

• Web address: www.del.cc

Randal S. Kinkade

• Age: 50

• Occupation: Manager of outdoor sports at Canyon Ranch.

• Education: 1978 graduate of Amery High School in Amery, Wis.; 1984 state law enforcement training certificate from Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wis.; and 1984 federal law enforcement training certificate from Vermilion Community College in Ely, Minn.

• Civic activities: Former cubmaster for Cub Scouts Pack 770; former member of the Sycamore Elementary School Site Council; volunteer usher at Calvary Chapel.

• Top endorsements: None.

• Top priority: Maintaining "excelling" school labels from the Arizona Department of Education.

Suzanne M. Roelike

• Age: 56.

• Occupation: Business manager for St. Rita in the Desert Catholic Church

• Education: 1989 master's of business administration degree from the University of Minnesota and 1980 bachelor of arts degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota.

• Civic activities: Member of the Vail Community Action Board, former member of the Vail School District Site Council and former member of the Parent Teacher Association at Sycamore and Cottonwood elementary schools.

• Top endorsements: None.

• Top priority: To ensure that our children succeed in life after graduation.

• E-mail address: sroelike@cox.net

Two men are in the running for the District 4 seat on the Pima Community College Governing Board.

The system faces challenges including shrinking state tax support and booming enrollment. The candidates are profiled below:

Kevin Mattocks

Age: 44

Occupation: Police officer

Education: No college degree

Civic activities: President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 53; Oro Valley Optimist Club; Project Graduation.

Endorsements: County Supervisor Ray Carroll, Tucson Firefighters Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Pima Area Labor Federation.

Top priorities: Make sure the college is accountable for our tax dollars, don't raise the property tax, keep tuition affordable, be a voice for college employees.

Website: KevinMattocks.org

Scott Stewart

Age: 55

Occupation: Engineer

Education: Bachelor's degrees in physics, astronomy and Russian, master's degree in optics, all from the University of Arizona.

Incumbent: On the board for 12 years and proud of PCC's high approval rating in the community.

Top priorities: Ensure adult education survives state budget cuts, continue oversight of the college's spending, keep PCC affordable and cost-effective, ensure the college is using data to make policy decisions.

Website: StewartForPima.org

Contact reporter Becky Pallack at bpallack@azstarnet.com or 807-8012.