I’ve been seeing quite a few opinions concerning our upcoming Scottsdale School Board election. I am thankful for the attention it’s getting and couldn’t agree more with the importance.
Here’s the deal. There are two very distinct teams. On one side you have the ultra-MAGA slate of Jacobs, Beasley and Hassler (JBH) versus the Protecting SUSD slate of Sharkey, Lewis and Pittinisky (SLP). It’s MAGA versus our community.
The ultra-MAGA group of JBH could fire the current award-winning superintendent, ban books, pasteurize the curriculum, ostracize our minority students and staff, and serve as a wrecking ball to the property values enjoyed, in part, due to our excelling district. They will rail about the imaginary boogeymen of Critical Race Theory. Quite simply, they will play politics with our schools.
The Protect SUSD slate of Sharkey, Lewis and Pittinsky want a district that supports all students, knows we are in this together and will collaborate with our district leadership, parents and community. The Protect SUSD slate will work to improve our schools, not tear them down. And, Sharkey, Lewis and Pittinsky have the education and professional experience the other slate lacks.
As a life-long Scottsdale teacher and former president of the teachers’ association, I am joining current and former mayors and community leaders in choosing to protect our schools. Our teacher retention rates are the highest they have been in years. Students and staff are safe, happy and learning.
I’m voting for Sharkey, Lewis and Pittinisky because politics don’t belong in our district.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
