Today was the filing deadline for those interested in serving on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board. 7 people filed by the 5 p.m. deadline, so here’s the cast of candidates to choose from in the November 8th general election.
This is a nonpartisan race for 3 school board members (unpaid volunteers). The three incumbents are Kristel Foster, Cam Juarez and Mark Stegeman, all running for re-election.
In alphabetical order from last name:
–Kristel Foster,current incumbent, elected in Nov. 2012, Program specialist – Language Acquisition Dept. at SUSD, www.fosterfortusd.com
–Cam Juarez, current incumbent, elected in Nov. 2012, Community Engagement Coordinator at Saguaro National Park, as well as their Public Information Officer, parent of son at TUSD school, https://www.facebook.cTUSDGovernigBoardMemberJuarezom/
–Betts Putnam-Hidalgo, community activist & part time teacher, ran before in 2012 and 2014, parent of son at TUSD school, https://www.facebook.com/standwithbetts/,http://www.betts4tusd.net/
–Lori Riegel, political newcomer, Development Director for Arizona Children’s Association, Ph.D candidate in Educational leadership, daughter is graduate of University HS (TUSD school), www.lorifortusd com
–Brett Rustand, political newcomer, insurance company broker & executive, 3 children at TUSD schools, www.rustandfortusd.com
–Rachael Sedgwick, political newcomer, former teacher, 3rd year law student at UA School of law, https://www.facebook.com/sedgwickforschoolboard2016/?fref=nf, http://www.sedgwick4tusd.com/
–Dr. Mark Stegeman, current incumbent, elected Nov. 2008, re-elected 2012, Associate Professor of Economics at UA, www.stegeman4tusd.com
Stay tuned for upcoming forums to meet these candidates, and vote wisely on or before Nov. 8. This is a nonpartisan race, but here’s the breakdown of who belongs to which political party. Most are Democrats except for Stegeman and Sedgwick (Independents/PNDs) and Rustand, a Republican.
And if you want to know who’s running for the other school board districts, go to:
http://www.schools.pima.gov/elections/2016-school-board-candidate-listing
Another TUSD candidate forum in September: on the 29th at YWCA of Southern AZ. See our calendar for details.
Upcoming forums for these TUSD candidates: Sept. 14 at Temple Emanu El (see our Calendar for details); Sept. 29 at PCC Downtown, details tba. Stay tuned for more.
So if it’s a non partisan race, then why mention each candidate’s affiliation?
Because many voters/readers ask me what the political party affiliations are, so that’s why I mention it.