Meet the Higley school board candidates
Four candidates will square off on Election Day for two seats on the Higley Unified School District governing board.
The board president is seeking re-election, but the rest of the field is composed of newcomers.
The five members of the school board serve an unpaid four-year term, work with administrators to set policy, adopt spending plans and create a vision for the district that enrolls about 11,000 students across Gilbert and Queen Creek.
The election is Tuesday, Nov. 4, and early voting begins Tuesday, Oct. 9.
The candidates spoke with The Republic about their objectives for one of the state's most academically successful districts. Despite financial challenges, Higley was the top-performing large school district in Arizona, largely based on how well students performed on state tests last school year.
Michelle Anderson
Occupation: Database manager at Rock Point Church.
Children in the district? Yes.
On why she's running: "I played school as far back as I can remember. One of the best gifts that I got was an old school desk that I had in my room. ... I like teaching, I like to explain things and I love to see people learn." Her past experiences includes teaching high-school math and working as Higley's school-board secretary and substitute coordinator.
On her top issue: "My Number 1 focus is teacher retention. We have very high turnover, and I want to modify some policies to keep our teachers happy and trained and keep that relationship." She would not support an override, saying funds should come from other areas.
On her plan to award student achievement: "We are fighting against charter schools and we're losing families left and right. ... Let's have fun, let's celebrate and cheer for your team."
On maintaining Higley's success: "You don't make any huge, major changes right away. I'm all for sustaining, so whatever you're doing is working, let's sustain it, let's assess it, let's do some data on it."
Rebecca Jarman
Occupation: Homemaker, substitute teacher.
Children in the district? No.
On why she's running: "My Number 1 focus is on the youth and teachers of our district. Funding the classrooms first. I will be a trusted advocate, staying in touch with concerns of parents, students, teachers and the community, valuing their opinions and their input," Jarman said via e-mail. She received a bachelor's degree and master's degree in physical education from Brigham Young University.
On what needs to change: "Districts have a systemic lack of transparency. There is a responsibility to insuring (sic) communication with the parents, students, teachers, and taxpayers are clear and easily understood." She strongly favors conservative values in classrooms. At a recent forum, she said there should be no sexual education in schools, and she commented that students are choosing charter schools because district schools have too much swearing in the hallways and "immodestly dressed people."
On the budget: "Tax dollars are distributed to school districts for student education, which develops in the classrooms, and should be our main concern. When handling any district budget, the classrooms should be funded first and cut last. I am confident as we get deeper into the numbers, we will have the ability to accomplish this adequately."
Venessa Whitener
Occupation: Incumbent board president, homemaker.
Children in the district? Yes.
On why she's running: "I'm Gilbert born and raised. I'm a native. There's nothing more important to me than my community." She is a former teacher who graduated from Highland High School and Arizona State University.
On communication: "Something I work a lot on is education funding, trying to inform parents of the restrictions and how hand-tied we are." She said parents often do not understand that state and federal funding for schools often can only be used in specific ways.
On the budget: "We don't always have to cut budget. How else can you increase revenue?" She was in support of the past overrides, but she said the district is utilizing other revenue streams such as public-private partnerships, funding from foundations, increased community programming and athletics to bring in more capital.
On her goals: "I want to make sure my kids receive an adequate year's progress if not more, and there's so much more we can do with technology. There are programs that need to be supported and increased." She wants a focus on clustering models, gifted programs, and programs for children with autism or other special needs.
Greg Wojtovich
Occupation: Chandler-Gilbert Community College career adviser.
Children in the district? No.
On why he is running: "I'm not of any political party. I'm running nonpartisan. I don't want to be the next city councilperson ... I just feel there's a need for me to step in, bring my expertise, and continue to bring the district forward. That's all." He spent 12 years on the school board for Utica Community Schools, one of the largest districts in Michigan, near Detroit.
On the need for standards: "My world at the college is global. When our students have to be competitive, it's on a global basis. It's not about 'I'm going to compete with the kids from Mesa.'... You better have the skills to compete with those kids on the other side of the world." He works with area high-school students in partnerships with the community college. He has also won several awards for his work and actively volunteers with groups such as Relay for Life.
On charter schools: "What I would like to see is equality." He said there is an "uneven playing field" stacked in favor of charter schools.
On running a positive campaign: "Businesses won't come to a community if they see discord and things like that taking place. ... You want a positive environment to bring businesses to your community. You want families to move to your community."