Today was the filing deadline for those interested in serving on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board. Nine people filed by the 5 p.m. deadline, so here’s the cast of candidates to choose from in the November 4th general election. This is a nonpartisan race for 2 school board members (unpaid volunteers). The two incumbents are Adelita Grijalva and Michael Hicks, both running for re-election. In alphabetical order from last name:
Rene Bernal , applied software engineer at Honeywell, political newcomer, www.tusdsbernal.com
Debe Campos-Fleenor, owner of financial/ insurance agency, ran before in 2012. www.debefortusd.com
Don Cotton, self-employed businessman, ran before in 2012, father of 2 TuSD students, www.cottontusd.com
Miguel Cuevas, former TUSD board member, elected in 2008, lost in 2012 (came in 4th for 3 seats, out of a pool of 12 candidates), project coach at AFNI, www.votemiguelcuevas.com, https://www.facebook.com/Miguelcuevasfortusd
Jenifer Darland, policical newcomer, community activist, mother of 2 TUSD children, www. darlandfortusd.com, https://www.facebook.com/DarlandforTUSD
Adelita Grijalva, current board member and President, has served since 2004, http://www.adelitafortusd.com/, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adelita-Grijalva-for-TUSD-School-Board/130007817047419, daughter of CD 3 Congressman Raul Grijalva, mother of 2 TUSD students
Michael Hicks, current board member, elected in 2010, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Hicks-for-2014-TUSD-School-Board-Member/112861325429566, father of 2 TUSD students
Betts Putnam-Hidalgo, community activist & part time teacher, ran before in 2012, mother of son at TUSD school, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stand-with-betts-for-TUSD/204287006336384
Francis Saitta, Pima Community College adjunct math/ science teacher, ran unsuccessfully for PCC Governing Bd. in 2012 (District 5)