Sandoval: I will ensure all voices are heard, continue to lead with compassion, empathy

When I first ran for the Peoria Unified School District Governing Board, I made a commitment to ensure that all stakeholder voices would have a space to be expressed and be included in the conversations that have an impact on the district and its students.

It has always been important to me, to make well informed decisions that are objective and include the voices of students, families, community members resident experts, teachers and staff.

In an effort to stay connected, I have participated in several parent meetings, continue to visit numerous campuses and welcome the public to leverage our “Call to the Public” line item at all board meetings.

Our students, families and the Peoria Unified School District have been through some very challenging times as we have navigated a national health crisis. My decisions to prioritize the health and wellness of all has never been without the voices of all stakeholders and objectivity. It is this very objectivity and navigating the fluidity of a health crisis that continues to drive me in prioritizing student success, by supporting the opening of this semester with both a virtual and face-to-face option and now making masks optional for summer school — taking the next steps to realizing some level of normalcy.

I have always valued continuous improvement. And, as a board member I would be doing a disservice to the district and its stakeholders if I wasn’t committed to learning every day and being informed in a way that is relevant to the growth of PUSD, its students, teachers, staff, and the industry of education. I am grateful for the opportunities that the district provides all board members to attend many conferences, which builds on the acumen and agency for myself and my fellow board members to ensure the success of all students.

Professional organizations provide connections and continuous learning opportunities. The district’s membership in the Arizona School Board Association is one of those examples. I have attended ASBA’s suite of conferences, its annual conference, law conference and equity conference, over the past few years. ASBAs’ annual conferences take a holistic focus on the needs of all students — gifted students, foster and McKinney Vento (homeless) students, students with special needs, amongst other topics across a multitude of sessions.

I will continue to lead with compassion and empathy with a steadfast commitment to ensuring the success of all students and ensure that the voices of all stakeholders are listened to as input versus feedback. I am proud that I have influenced spaces where all voices matter, all opinions are respected, and all input is welcomed.

Editor’s note: David Sandoval is the president of the Peoria Unified School District governing board. Parents and others are gathering signatures to place his name on the ballot for recall.