7 candidates are running for 3 seats in this race for Governing Board at Tucson Unified School District (TUSD). 3 incumbents are running for re-election: Kirstel Foster, Cam Juarez, Dr. Mark Stegeman. Challengers are Betts Putnam-Hidalgo (ran before for a seat on this board in 2012 and 2014), Lori Riegel, Brett Rustand, Rachael Sedgwick.
List of upcoming forums in September:
September 8 — sponsored by Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 6 to 8 p.m. at CareMore, 4821 N. Stone Ave.
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
200 protesters of all ages, ethnicities were at Ronstadt Transit Center tonight to exercise their freedoms of speech and assembly, against the failure of the Ferguson Missouri grand jury to indict Police Officer Darren Wilson in the August 9, 2014 killing of 18 year old Michael Brown.
All photos taken by and courtesy of freelancer Henry Barajas, former reporter with Tucson Weekly.
From the Star editorial about Jen:
Jen Darland is running for the first time after years of involvement at her children’s school and co-founding the advocacy group Arizona Education Network.
She participated in two state efforts to increase education funding, including the successful Proposition 100 in 2010, which provided a temporary 1-cent sales tax for public education and other services.
The Star says this about Betts:
Putnam-Hidalgo ran for the board two years ago, as did three other 2014 candidates. Despite her loss, she still kept up her regular attendance at board meetings. She’s also been actively involved in school site councils, served as a community representative and taught English as a second language to parents.
She speaks with enthusiasm of participating in parent leadership training through Voices for Education as a starting point for her advocacy. She describes herself as a “bulldog” when it comes the education.
Betts is a community activist and P/T teacher (“parent, volunteer and advocate for public schools”), and Darland calls herself a “volunteer parent education advocate” at TUSD. Both candidates have children attending TUSD schools.
Democrats of Greater Tucson – DGT (www.tucsondemocrats.org) is hosting a forum for Democrats running for the TUSD Governing Board in the General Election of Nov. 2014. 9 candidates are seeking two seats on the board, currently held by incumbents President Adelita Grijalva and Michael Hicks.
Speaking on Monday September 15, at 12 noon at Dragon’s View restaurant, 400 N. Bonita Ave. are registered Democrats: Rene Bernal, Don Cotton, Jen Darland, Adelita Grijalva, and Betts Putnam-Hidalgo. Also invited but not attending: Miguel Cuevas (former TUSD school board member) and Francis Saitta.
Although this is a non-partisan race, the 9 candidates’ political party registration is known in the community. Candidates Michael Hicks and Debe Campos-Fleenor have been speaking at the Pima County Republican Club, and are listed on the candidate page of the Pima County Republican Party, www.pimagop.org.
Bd. member and President Adelita Grijalva has been endorsed by the Tucson Education Assn. and the Tucson Metro Chamber. Political newcomer Jen Darland was also endorsed by the latter group. AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) is also supporting Grijalva and Darland.
Current TUSD Board member Mark Stegeman (now registered as an Independent, formerly a Democrat) is supporting fellow board member Michael Hicks and candidate Debe Campos-Fleenor, an insurance agent.