I am truly thankful for the great privilege of working with extraordinary Fountain Hills citizens on a topic that is important to our community, education.
I volunteered to help facilitate support of the 2023 school bond election for building improvements and Four Peaks school building/land sale initiatives. I spent over 36 years working for one of the best technology companies, Motorola (turned 95 years old as a corporation this year). Lifelong education and learning are critical to successful corporations like Motorola, to incredible communities like ours, and to the state of Arizona. It begins with educating our younger citizens.
During this election cycle of supporting these two non-partisan initiatives I learned new things about our community. It had been 16 years since I was part of the school bond education committees. I became reacquainted with and learned from over 50 of my past education supporter friends and new community friends. These people are Republicans, Democrats, Independents, educators, people of faith, empty-nesters, retired, business owners, young families, grandparents, golfers, hikers, tennis and pickleball players, theatre and music lovers, and most importantly, “people who love Fountain Hills.” Fountain Hills is a beautiful hometown by nature, a community for all ages and interests.
I am thankful that the voters passed the sale of Four Peaks land and buildings, but disappointed voters turned down the school bond facilities improvements and investments. The disappointment is that our school board and school leadership team do not have the school bond option as part of their toolbox to improve facilities that are over 20 years old.
I have started reaching out to voters to look for next options to update our facilities. I know Fountain Hills residents love this community for many reasons including excellent, well maintained, public schools.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
