Kirby: A new voice has emerged for school board members, parents
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By Pam Kirby
For too long, school board members in Arizona have been left without a choice.
While each board is all but required to join a school board association, they’ve been forced to rely on the monopoly of one association for policy guidance and training. They do so with memberships, upwards of $10,000 per year, paid by the school districts using your tax dollars.
That association then trains your school board members on topics like Critical Race Theory. It’s time for that to change.
The Arizona Coalition of School Board Members is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to helping school board members put students first.
Other associations have forgotten who is important: our kids. In education, students should always be at the forefront of training and policy considerations, not unions and special interest groups. What works for one student may not work for another, which is why The Coalition will always support school choice.
The Coalition also recognizes the importance of parents in their child’s education. Students belong to their parents, not the board, school or state.
Parental rights have been eroding — sometimes slowly and sometimes right before our eyes. Some organizations even believe that concerned parents should be treated as domestic terrorists for simply asking questions! This is unacceptable.
The Coalition will train school board members with the necessary tools and knowledge to appropriately challenge superintendents and other school administration — not just be a cheerleader for the institution.
We don’t just provide training and services to board members. We also open our membership to parents, caregivers, and school employees. Even if you haven’t had a student in the K-12 system for many years, that’s OK! Join us!
The Coalition welcomes all, including charter, private, and homeschool advocates.
The Arizona Coalition of School Board Members understands that education policy requires an unwavering, laser focus on #StudentsFirst. Support our mission and get involved today. Go to azcoalition.org.
Editor’s Note: Pam Kirby is the board president & founder of the Arizona Coalition of School Board Members; former elected member of the Scottsdale Unified School District governing board; and former Paradise Valley Town Council member.
