Litchfield school board expects appointments instead of election

The Litchfield Elementary School District has been recommended to appoint three members to its governing board to start in January 2025 by the Office of Maricopa County School Superintendent.

LESD being listed on the recommended cancellations document for school board elections came after only three qualified candidates ran to fill the seats that would be vacant at the end of the year.

Melissa Zuidema and Michele Wallace, current board members who ran for reelection, will be joined by stay-at-home dad Scott Mikes.

Mikes, a retired public-school administrator and teacher, has been involved in community service. His previous roles include board membership at the Southwest Valley YMCA and the Millennium High School Site Council. He currently serves on the board of the Litchfield Elementary School District Educational Foundation.

Zuidema is the governing board president of LESD and has served in various roles on multiple PTA boards within the district.

Returning member Wallace has a degree in education from Western Michigan University and a master’s in educational leadership, as well as a background in teaching and supporting student growth.

School board members are responsible for setting district policies, approving budgets and overseeing the superintendent. The number of board seats varies by district and members serve staggered terms to ensure continuity.

Visit lesd79.org for more information.