Happy January, Secular Fam! We’re almost halfway into the month, and that means school boards all across the state are reorganizing and establishing priorities for the districts they serve.
Both Deer Valley (DVUSD) and Peoria (PUSD) kicked off the school year with study sessions. Four out of five board members in DVUSD participated and acted like grownups, while one board member called it “illegal” and said she only attended the session to “monitor” it. She then went on social media and disparaged the district she’s serving. I think she thinks she’s “based” but all I see is “basic.”
PUSD had a marathon meeting schedule last week where they held an all-day study session that included a review of roles and responsibilities of the board, what the board members’ “North Star” is, and updates about facilities, student achievement, and the budget process.
When members shared their “why,” for the majority of the board, it’s clear that parents in the district are their top priority, while students are an afterthought. As an educator, I was taught by my Republican mentor to lead with my most vulnerable students in mind. From what I can gather, the majority of the PUSD board is leading with their most privileged parents in mind.
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 →
