Alexander: SUSD school board election offers clear choices
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Jason Alexander
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Jason Alexander | Scottsdale
Scottsdale Unified School District is Scottsdale’s fifth largest employer. It has a $250 million dollar budget, 20,000 customers, 3,000 employees – many who live in Scottsdale. SUSD’s Governing Board impacts our city’s traffic, development, economy, home values and quality of life.
The voters of Scottsdale – shareholders in SUSD – have clear choices in November.
*A director of data analytics at America’s #1 University for innovation, or a bartender?
*An Arizona Superintendent of the Year or a paralegal?
*An entrepreneur who built two global companies or a lobbyist who promoted the Arizona “Fake Electors” Scheme?
Mike Sharkey manages 30 people and a $5 million dollar budget at ASU. Sharkey is a parent and volunteers with the Chaparral Robotics Club. Donna Lewis was superintendent of the year and is a national expert on teacher education. Matthew Pittinsky is an SUSD parent who built two global technology companies, one headquartered in Scottsdale. I worked for Matt, he was a caring and tactical CEO, with exceptional aptitude and an open door. Sharkey, Lewis and Pittinsky have decades of experience evaluating complex budgets, setting strategic goals and managing large organizations.
Their opponents – the bartender, paralegal, lobbyist – have avoided interviews. They have marketed themselves strictly to Republicans, refusing to engage outside partisan circles. They have aligned with Mom’s for Liberty and charter school owners. Their platform is book bans, bathrooms and leasing schools to charter operators.
We have a chance to infuse nearly a century of leadership and expertise into our School Board. Mike Sharkey, Donna Lewis and Matt Pittinsky will focus on academics and professional management of the district, not culture wars. They will maintain our home values and improve the future for our children.
*Director of data analytics, or bartender?
*Arizona Superintendent of the Year, or paralegal?
*Tech entrepreneur, or lobbyist?
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
