Mattachione: Support Apache Junction school district change to traditional academic model

There is a growing irrational emotional danger at Apache Junction Unified School District schools from a few agitators that interrupted a confidentially required official school board executive session discussing a mutually agreed end to an employment contract for the school superintendent.

As reported by State Superintendent Tom Horne, there is a change to a “traditional academic model.” However, two school board members — Bobby Bauders and Cami Garcia — violated the confidentiality law of this executive session, in my opinion.

Bauders brags on LinkedIn that he is a “Political Advocate in Arizona” and lists his August 2021-January 2022 employment record as “acting regional representative, Pinal County Democratic Party: serves as liaison and spokesperson for District 5 between elected office holders, precincts and the party executive committee. Assists with regional field organization as well as maintenance and development of the Democratic Party in Pinal County and District 5.”

Bauders and Garcia both shared on video on April 10 at the public school board meeting their opinions of the confidential discussions, in my opinion violating the law by alluding to the termination of the superintendent as not being mutually agreed upon and placing AJUSD in litigation peril.

The real reason, in my opinion, for their violating the confidentiality law is common sense which is their lack in supporting a “traditional academic model” of education.

What followed was a coordinated physical and verbal assault using students during school hours physically banging on the windows, yelling obscene words and menacing the school board members and attendees, which raises serious concerns for student safety and a violation of law regarding interference with an educational institution and the AJUSD student code of conduct. The violent plan was supported and coordinated by calling in the news media and attempting to turn a meeting into chaos.

The irrational emotional chaos continued with an insane argument to recall three school board members for advancing a new traditional academic vision. The recall would add an additional $170K cost for two recall elections to the school district struggling budget. This recall is motivated by those supporting indoctrination, sexualization of children, social emotional learning and critical race theory concepts, and their opposition to traditional academic education for children.

We have a choice. I choose “traditional academic education” and peace. Time to remove these two school board members through the election process in 2024 or request they resign for the benefit of AJUSD. Let’s teach children traditional academic concepts like math, reading and writing.