Chandler Unified School District Parent and Educator Zeyna Pruzhanovsky has a background in business finance, elementary education, raising a family, and community involvement.
She would like to bring that background experience to the Chandler Unified School District Governing Board in 2025 on a platform of “students, families, educators, and community at the top of the list.”
If elected, she will focus on helping these stakeholders by:
- Promoting relevant curriculum.
- Support ways to improve student achievement.
- Maintaining the Chandler Unified School District’s commitment to excellence.
- Working to graduate students into the community who are a “well-educated, world-class workforce, where we all succeed together.”
Ms. Pruzhanovsky graciously took the time to interview and discuss her candidacy for the Chandler School Governing Board.
The questions and her responses are below.
- What are at least two reasons you would like to run for election to the Chandler Unified School District Governing Board?
“Well, I have an undergraduate degree in Business Administration. So, I’d like to bring my fiscal experience to one of the largest districts in our state. I also believe that being fiscally responsible is an important component especially when you have such a large pool of money with being responsible for all of the tax holders, the employer base, and anyone that has a say in our education. I did work on grants administration at the University of Kansas Medical Center with my business degree. I managed Grant budgets over a few million dollars so I’m pretty adept at learning quickly. So that’s one of the things they want to showcase that I am very responsible in that area. I think the community wants a candidate or board members who are fiscally responsible. I have our CSD community in mind and you know as board members we serve on a volunteer and unpaid basis, board members should have those in mind, and I have the heart of the parents and I am a parent of a student. My daughter graduated last year. I’ve been a teacher for ten years. So, with this community mindset in the heart of the community. I hope to bring this to as a governing board member to think of the community as a whole and I think I’m sure that the community wants to be heard. I’ve listened to all these board meetings since April. I’ve been in every board meeting since April. I’ve spoken at every board meeting since May. We started talking about student mental health. That was what I first started with. Then about supporting budget overrides or giving the board an idea how they can remind voters that the tax dollars are going to good use to share that information to educate our voters on how the money is being spent.”
- If elected, what are at least two education related issues you would champion as a member of the Chandler School Governing Board?
“I have the heart of a teacher. I currently work in the Gila River Indian Community. I’ve been there and I do want to support more science, technology, and math in our schools. The achievement was flat. I mean it didn’t go down, but I think that we the families want our district to really be cutting edge and that’s not just for those top-tier students, but for all students that we need to have their capabilities in mind as we go forward to support student achievement. So, I believe that supporting those education Issues in science, technology, and math so we can always be cognizant of student achievement, but that’s just pushing a lot on a teacher’s plate. So, we need to support the teachers who are delivering the course content. I want to make sure that our teachers and our support staff are supported so they can deliver the content to the students.”
- Please describe your views on the Republican legislature’s attempts to expand Prop 123 when compared to the Governors, ban certain types of books, mandate a distorted version of history education, and discrimination against children in the LGBTQ community.
“Prop 123 is an attempt by the Republican legislature to undermine funding of public education in the event of an economic downturn, which will be currently in-play with the current state of the unchecked ESA Voucher program. Gov. Hobbs plan safe-guards funding public education by using the interest from the State Land Trust, before funding becomes critical.”
“Banning certain types of books will not effectively keep students away from books. If you tell a child not to do something, the last thing they hear is what they are supposed to do. There is a much better use of time, than finding literature not to read. As an educator, we should be able to offer choices for students to become critical thinkers. An educated society does not look to ban books, instead, we should look for more ways to encourage students to read.”
“Philosophical and religious views should not have a place in developing historical contexts in educational curriculum. All districts provide opportunities to present new curriculum for review and comments. Curriculum committees are also formed for curriculum adoption. The public has an opportunity to make comments before final adoption of the curriculum.”
“Any form of discrimination in education should not be tolerated. Children should be able to develop and use their voices without condemnation. All children, regardless of race, ethnic origin, gender, physical ability, or religion should learn without discrimination, condemnation, and trepidation.
From: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/tix_dis.html
“Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX states:
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
“The Supreme Court has upheld the right for LGBTQ+ people to live and work without fear of harassment, exclusion, and discrimination – and our LGBTQ+ students have the same rights and deserve the same protections. I’m proud to have directed the Office for Civil Rights to enforce Title IX to protect all students from all forms of sex discrimination,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Today, the Department makes clear that all students—including LGBTQ+ students—deserve the opportunity to learn and thrive in schools that are free from discrimination.”
- Is there anything not covered in the first four questions that you would like the readers to know about you and your candidacy for the Chandler Unified School District? Please explain.
“Teacher satisfaction and retention should be important for any district that wants to improve student achievement. CUSD can listen to teacher input and create a list of actionable items for improvement. Teachers who are satisfied are happier to deliver a curriculum that is well received by their students.”
Please visit the below social media site to find out more information about Zeyna Pruzhanovsky and her candidacy for the Chandler Unified School District Governing Board.
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