Darland, Grijalva leading in TUSD

Incumbent Michael Hicks was trailing slightly behind Darland while Grijalva, who has served on the board for 12 years, is the front runner, according to early election results.

Others who put their names in the hat to serve Tucson's largest school district include Rene Bernal, Debe Campos-Fleenor, Don Cotton, Miguel Cuevas, Betts Putnam-Hidalgo and Francis Saitta.

Throughout the campaign debates on how best to achieve transparency, fiscal responsibility, improve student achievement and equity in the Tucson Unified School District have been ongoing, with all candidates supporting those goals, but differing on how best to address them.

The Tucson Unified School District has long struggled with academic achievement, declining enrollment, criticism on spending and its ability to offer an equitable education to minority children who over time have become the district’s majority population.

TUSD also asked voters for permission to sell or lease nine schools closed in 2013 as a cost-savings measure. Shortly after 8 p.m., 69 percent of voters supported the proposal.  

Having the authority to sell does not require the district to get rid of the properties, rather it gives the option to do so in the future if needed. Any gains from sales must be used to benefit students with improved school facilities or to benefit taxpayers with reduced district bond debt or lower taxes.