Four candidates are running for two seats that have four-year terms on the Higley USD Governing Board.
No incumbents are running for the seats as Amy Kaylor and Jill Wilson have decided not to run for re-election.
The Gilbert Independent asked candidates a series of questions, and their answers will be published in a series. The first question is:
In preparation for your governing-board experience, please describe your past and current involvement with the school district as to how you have influenced past or current district policy related to students and employees. What policies do you propose to change and why?
Brooke Garrett
Education: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University
Occupation: homemaker, volunteer
Previous elected experience: none
I have been heavily involved with the HUSD school district as a volunteer for the past 10 years. I helped create the Higley High Uknighted Kingdom Booster, president of the San Tan Elementary Booster, Boys Soccer Athletic Booster treasurer, and current president of the Higley High Parent Booster. I have been involved with several committees that have helped to focus on where bond money should be spent, parent committees that helped review high school English literature that could be approved and used by the district, and the parent focus group that provided feedback regarding the current Higley Strategic Plan that is to be implemented in the next five years. I have met with the district often over the years to voice concerns, most recently regarding the facilities of Higley High and the attention it needs. The district shortly thereafter approved the Higley High Project, which is a new building consisting of more classrooms that were desperately needed with the growth our high school has seen over these past five years. I have been a resident in this district for over 10 years. I have seen three superintendents go through HUSD. There have been a lot of growing pains, I feel we have made good strides, but one area we can improve upon is our booster/volunteer training and processes. There is a lot of confusion surrounding that. I have felt that frustration firsthand in my experiences as PTO Booster president. We want to see more parent involvement as this creates strong schools, so we need to eliminate the confusion surrounding it.
Roy Morales
Education: Bachelor of Science, Accounting; Master of Business Administration.
Occupation: operations support manager
Previous elected experience: none
I have no prior involvement with the school district. I also don't recall that any past or present involvement with the district is a pre-requisite for running for school board. My understanding is that one has to be a resident of the district for one year and be over the age of 18.
As a board member, my policy is to be the advocate and the voice of the community. Within that community, the pinnacle group are the students and parents of this district. Their voices should be the loudest and be given the special attention that they deserve.
Emphasis should be placed on promoting the importance of academic rigor and excellence to our students. Academic virtue will teach students self-discipline, perseverance and overcoming adversity under the rigors of academia and later into their careers. I will also encourage parents and community members to participate in the shaping of the curriculum and policies by attending school board meetings, volunteerism and congregating in small gatherings to voice their ideas and concerns with the district. Parent participation provides students with examples of the importance and impact of civic involvement has in their community, their lives, and for generations to come.
Together, with parents’ involvement and instilling academic excellence, the bond between parents and their children will fortify their relationship, while elevating Higley Unified School District, as the premier option for families. In addition, it will allow HUSD to be competitive against other institutions for ESA funds. In return, this healthy competition between institutions will strengthen our schools; making the Southeast Valley a more desirable place to raise a family.
Lastly, transparency between the district and the community is paramount to the success of both parties. The district is funded by the taxpayers at both the local and state level. The district is beholden to be transparent in all matters relating to finances and curriculum. Every penny needs to be accounted for and every single textbook, online class, and any and all class materials used, needs to be accessible to ALL members of the community as well as prospective parents and community members. Transparency creates trust and trust creates prosperity.
Anna Van Hoek
Education: Studied Computer Science
Occupation: financial and accounting analyst
Previous elected experience: N/A
I have been a longtime parental right advocate and will do whatever I can to make sure that the main priority is the students. I will also work hard to have school practices and curriculum that will benefit the students and not any political agenda. Last but certainly not least, we need to make sure parental rights are acknowledged in our schools.
The primary focus is the students, and their academic achievement needs to be a priority.
Increasing parental involvement is a priority. Parental involvement is key to a student’s academic achievement.
Creating a districtwide environment of respect to attract and retain great teachers.
Amanda Wade
Education: Master’s in Secondary Education
Occupation: stay-at-home mom, applying to school
Previous elected experience: none
Since 2011 after earning my master’s until 2021 I have worked as a teacher in both the Higley district and in the state of Maryland. I am also a parent of children attending Higley schools. As a teacher in the district, I have helped to work within the curriculum I taught to align it with state standards but also within the Higley district. As an advisor of student council, sources of strength, and a volleyball coach, I have worked within the community to help in areas of volunteer service and outreach. As a parent in the district, I have proudly voted on both board members and policy initiatives to try to help better the Higley district.
Tom Blodgett Senior News Editor | Gilbert @sp_blodgett
Meet Tom Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.
Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.
Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism.
Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.
Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).
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