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Sandoval: Second term on Peoria Unified school board is another opportunity to serve

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When I sat down with my family to discuss my intention to run for the governing board in 2016 and then run for re-election in 2020, I continued to reflect on the influence that public education has had on me, my wife and our children.

There is never a day that goes by that I am not grateful for the impact that a caring coach, teacher, or staff member continues to have on my life.

I wake up every day with the mindset to serve others and a second term on the Peoria Unified School District governing board is yet another opportunity for me to do so.

I have never wavered from my commitment to listen and be present in order to make informed, relevant and objective decisions. I feel that by leading with others in mind, being authentic and staying true to my just cause to influence safe, supportive and inspiring learning and teaching environments, I have been able to build confident and trusting relationships with the Peoria community. I will continue to stay true to who I am and be a voice for all the stakeholders PUSD serves.

The upcoming calendar year will bring a pandemic and its aftermath, a committee focused on facilities utilization and discussions on a 2021 bond measure, all while operating the fourth largest school district in Arizona.

The Peoria Unified School District has remained steadfast in prioritizing the health and wellness of all who it serves. In addition to the recommended safety protocols, PUSD has added Clorox 360 sprayers, air purifiers, and as a board, we approved the expansion of a maintenance contract with focus on adding another shift to the daily cleaning of its sites.

With that said, my 2021 focus out the gate will be on the wellness of our students and families, our teachers and staff and site and district leadership. We have all been asked to live our lives a little differently, however, this ask has turned the world of some of our families upside down. All the while, the Peoria Unified School District continues to place its students in a position to be successful by offering options, face-to-face and online instructional environments. We must do so, while prioritizing the health, wellness and success of all our stakeholders.

If our students aren’t in a healthy mindset to learn, their ability to be successful is lessened. It is up to us as leaders to be very intentional in our promise to hold safe, supportive and inspiring environments across the district, and be mindful of what the individuals who we are charged with caring for are going through. We must lead with compassion and empathy and continue to work together to get through this.

Editor’s note: David Sandoval is the president of the Peoria Unified School District governing board. He was elected to a second term which begins in January.