Like so many of you reading this, I’m kind of dazed. I’m literally and figuratively shuffling around, trying to figure out what to do next. I expected to be disappointed about outcomes from various races, all up and down the ballot, but I didn’t expect for there to be so many races that went sideways.
First, to all of you who stepped up to run for office, from school board to the national level, thank you. Running for office is a huge sacrifice, and I appreciate you and all that you’ve given up over the last election cycle.
I see bright stars of hope in various school districts across the state, and in others, all there is is a very, very dark sky. At least for the next two to four years.
The bad policies, rejection of funds, and frivolous lawsuits in places like Peoria (PUSD), this time without any pushback. I’m considering starting a pool to take bets on how many months into their term the new Superintendent, Dr. KC Somers, will submit his resignation.
That scenario seems like small potatoes when I consider the national hell landscape. All three branches of government are now under Trump control. It’s not even Republican control at this point. Trumpism is an entirely different beast because, well, it’s a cult.
JEANNE CASTEEN has a bachelor’s degree in human communication and history from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at ASU and a master’s in education, also from ASU. Jeanne has over 11 years of experience teaching in Maricopa County’s public schools. In 2011, Jeanne completed the Emerge Arizona program and in 2012 became a school board member of the Creighton School District. She served as Board President from 2016 through 2020. In 2020, Ms. Casteen ran for Maricopa County School Superintendent, and came within 12,000 votes of winning. She has been awarded the Arizona School Public Relations Association Award for Excellence in Advocacy and Political Contributions to Education as well as the Arizona School Board Association’s All-Arizona School Board Member Award.
Author: Jeanne Casteen, Secular AZ Executive Director
JEANNE CASTEEN has a bachelor’s degree in human communication and history from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at ASU and a master’s in education, also from ASU. Jeanne has over 11 years of experience teaching in Maricopa County’s public schools. In 2011, Jeanne completed the Emerge Arizona program and in 2012 became a school board member of the Creighton School District. She served as Board President from 2016 through 2020. In 2020, Ms. Casteen ran for Maricopa County School Superintendent, and came within 12,000 votes of winning. She has been awarded the Arizona School Public Relations Association Award for Excellence in Advocacy and Political Contributions to Education as well as the Arizona School Board Association’s All-Arizona School Board Member Award. View all posts by Jeanne Casteen, Secular AZ Executive Director →
