Cardella: A wealth of knowledge, leadership, experience

Emmie Cardella

Submitted photo

I’m a Scottsdale native, and my husband and I are fortunate to be raising our three sons here. I attended the local SUSD school in my neighborhood, along with dozens of kids from my block.

Scottsdale’s exceptional quality of life means many residents choose to stay here through retirement, so neighborhoods like the one I grew up in are no longer teeming with children. While Scottsdale’s population is growing at a modest 1% per year, the number of school-aged children is declining by about 2% annually. This trend presents significant challenges for our neighborhood schools, and we need school board members with the professional experience and collaborative skills to effectively address these issues.

 Mike Sharkey, Donna Lewis and Matt Pittinsky are the only candidates qualified to lead. Mike Sharkey is an experienced manager and data engineer whose analytical focus will bring a data-driven approach to addressing the complex issues facing our schools. Donna Lewis has 40 years of experience in education as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and professor. She’s an expert in board governance and has a proven track record of fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Matt Pittinsky is a co-founder of two global education technology companies, one based in Scottsdale that hires SUSD graduates. With his expertise in college admissions and readiness, Matt understands the skills students need to succeed beyond high school.

 Together, Sharkey, Lewis and Pittinsky bring a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and experience to the table, qualities that will be essential in guiding our schools through the challenges ahead.

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