Agua Fria, Buckeye Union high schools face board decisions in coming election

Voters will decide highly competitive school board races and funding measures this November, according to election filings released by the Office of the Maricopa County School Superintendent.

The non-partisan positions on the Nov. 3 ballot carry a four-year term. According to the Arizona School Board Association, board members are responsible for governance duties, including hiring and evaluating the district superintendent, approving budgets and setting curriculum policies. 

To qualify for the ballot, candidates must be registered voters, have resided within their district's boundaries for at least one year, and cannot be employed by the district or have a spouse employed there.

In addition to choosing new leadership, voters in four of the five districts will decide on Maintenance and Operations overrides. According to the Arizona Education Association, overrides allow local districts to generate additional funding beyond state levels for vital day-to-day operations, including teacher salaries, benefits, and classroom supplies. While overrides last for seven years, districts frequently seek renewals early to prevent steep funding drops that could force cuts to staffing and student programs.

Here is a look at the local high school district's candidates and measures on the ballot:

Agua Fria Union High School District

Six candidates are vying for two open seats in the district's most crowded race. The candidate field includes:

• Eric Cultum, an icumbent candidate 

• Vickie Landis, an incumbent candidate 

• Brian Murphy

• Erick Pena

• Elizabeth Zuidema

• Ethan Canny, a registered write-in candidate

Agua Fria voters will also vote on an M&O override measure.

Buckeye Union High School District

Four candidates, including one write-in, are pursuing two available seats:

• Heather Barron-Galvan

• Margarita Flores

• Nathan Madden, a registered write-in candidate

• Kanishia Thomas

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