Voelkel: School Board leadership must move us forward

The politicization of our schools and the culture wars around them must end. There are too many wild claims which virtually take on a life of their own, and too many people willing to promote narratives harmful to our students, teachers and school communities. Unfortunately, certain current SUSD board members are complicit.

We need positive change. For me, the choice of who to elect to the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board is clear. Mike Sharkey, Donna Lewis and Matt Pittinsky will guide our district with steadfast leadership to ensure it achieves its goal of providing a quality education to all of our students in a safe and welcoming environment. This dynamic trio with experience in entrepreneurship, teaching and leadership will lead us forward and away from the political partisanship and extremism we’ve seen take hold.  

As public school champions, they are dedicated candidates who will focus on issues and outcomes through the lens of data, fiscal responsibility and transparency, not the culture war du jour.  

In a district with 20,000-plus diverse students (in every sense of the word), we cannot allow a few of the loudest voices to dictate what is appropriate for all. We must collectively commit to educational approaches which are best for the most students while also allowing for individual needs and parental wishes to be addressed. This ensures that a minority of parents/guardians do not infringe on the rights of the majority of parents/guardians.

Mike Sharkey, Donna Lewis and Matt Pittinsky will reflect this commitment thereby creating more representative and more effective parent partnerships.

Our children deserve better, and as a community, we will all reap the benefits of a strong SUSD.

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