Article Summary –
In Scottsdale, Arizona, six candidates are running for three open seats on the public school board, divided into two factions running on joint tickets. One faction, “Protect SUSD,” includes accomplished professionals focused on enhancing public school appeal and making data-driven decisions, while the opposing faction, “Just Be Honest,” emphasizes curriculum control and has connections to local conservative advocacy. The election is nonpartisan, but the joint tickets help communicate each group’s shared priorities to voters, with the outcome set to influence the board’s direction for the next four years.
“We believe that we are in a district where the majority of citizens and families want good discourse in problem solving and not mud-slinging and name-calling.”
In Scottsdale, three open seats on the public school board have created an intriguing contest. Six candidates are split into two factions, each running on a “joint ticket.”
One faction includes three parents: a university tech director, the founder of Blackboard, and Arizona’s 2021 Superintendent of the Year. The other faction features a paralegal, a lobbyist, and a former minor league baseball player.
School board races in Arizona are nonpartisan, including the Scottsdale Unified School District’s election. Despite this, the joint tickets help signal shared priorities among the candidates.
School board roles are voluntary; winning candidates won’t get paid.
“Protect SUSD: Building a Stronger Community Together”
Mike Sharkey, Donna Lewis, and Matt Pittinsky are running for the Scottsdale Unified School District governing board. (Photo courtesy of Mike Sharkey)
Joint tickets, like those in presidential elections, allow candidates to campaign together but voters choose candidates individually on Election Day.
Dr. Donna Lewis, Dr. Matt Pittinsky, and Mike Sharkey campaign under the “Protect SUSD” banner. Pittinsky, a Harvard-educated educator and entrepreneur who cofounded Blackboard, wants to attract more students to Scottsdale public schools and counter misinformation.
Mike Sharkey, ASU’s executive director of data and analytics, uses data for objective decision-making. He mentors students at Chaparral High School. Donna Lewis, a PhD in educational leadership, was named Arizona’s National Superintendent of the Year in 2021.
Their ticket is endorsed by former Scottsdale school board members and mayors, showcasing bipartisan support.
“Just Be Honest”
Gretchen Jacobs, Jeanne Beasley, and Drew Hassler run under “Just Be Honest.” Beasley, a paralegal, focuses on core education and teacher training. Hassler, a former minor league baseball player, wants to protect children and support teachers. Jacobs, an attorney and CEO of a lobbying firm, was allegedly involved in a 2020 election fraud scheme, according to Politico.
Scottsdale Unites for Educational Integrity supports their ticket, highlighting culture war topics on their website.
The Scottsdale Unified School District serves 22,000 students across 29 campuses. The governing board hires superintendents, manages bond elections, and decides on supplemental curriculum.
The election on Nov. 5 will determine the board’s direction for the next four years. Check your voter registration and ballot here. For early or mail voting, learn more here.
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