Korte: Voting for Sharkey, Lewis and Pittinsky for SUSD Governing Board

This November, I am voting for Mike Sharkey, Donna Lewis and Matt Pittinsky for the Scottsdale Unified School District governing board.

Throughout my life, I have centered what time, talent and energy I have serving our Scottsdale community. Whether advocating for local businesses as President of the Chamber of Commerce, as chair of Yes to Children supporting children in our neighborhood schools, on the Scottsdale City Council shepherding municipal projects that made our roads safer, or on the Board of Directors for the Central Arizona Water Conservation District ensuring future water resources, my focus has centered on what is best for Scottsdale, its residents and our economic future.

Boards and councils, like any other organization, are comprised of members with competing opinions, varying influences and, often, discordant political backgrounds. But I have learned that if all members strive to serve with good intentions and a desire for good governance, much can be accomplished. Compromises can be made and consensus can be reached if all parties come to the table with a desire to work together and solve problems.

Good intentions and diplomacy, however, are only half the battle. We should also require our community leaders and elected officials to have the professional experience necessary to craft good policy, implement and enforce those decisions, be responsive to their constituents and manage funding responsibly.

I believe that our public schools lie at the very heart of our community. They serve close to 20,000 of our children and are one of the top employers in Scottsdale making them vital to maintaining our property values. The Scottsdale Unified School District and our community deserve a governing board that seeks to protect and improve our schools. Our citizens deserve a governing board with the requisite education and experience to safeguard our tax dollars. Our children need a governing board focused on giving them the best education possible.

Please join me this November in electing the slate of candidates that exemplify the very best of intentions toward service, experience and good governance: Mike Sharkey, Donna Lewis and Matt Pittinsky.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.