Florence Unified School District School Board Past-President Denise Guenther has announced her resignation.

She made her announcement during the Governing School Board meeting on Tuesday, April 12.

With more than 12 years of service to the students, families and stakeholders of Florence Unified School District No. 1, Guenther tearfully stated her reasons for the decision.

She said that school boards had become too politicized and constantly having to battle the state Legislature.

Her full statement follows:

“I became a board member to be a part of a team that worked respectfully together toward improving education for the student in our community. In the recent years, board members in my opinion are now having to become politicians and fight constant political fires. That is not a position I ran for. Throughout the United States, boards are not able to focus on local governance because the state chooses to not believe in public education. As board members, we are in a constant battle for education as a whole and the result is again, we are losing focus of our local schools.

"A few years ago, when I joined a protest at the capitol for funding, one of the signs I carried stated ‘Our schools are being starved into failure to justify mass privatization.’ We are allowing this to happen. We can stop it by focusing on kids first and when election time comes, we can vote for the right people that believe in true public education. Not only can we vote in the right people and state leaders, but also the right local leaders that will serve on your school board.

"Being a school board member is a huge undertaking. I attended every meeting for a year prior to running to have a better understanding of my role. It still did not completely prepare me. To the candidates that are thinking of running, do not run because you are upset over a subject. If you want to improve an issue join a committee. Reach out to the district administration who are great at working with parents and community members to make decisions for us.

"Becoming a board member and especially during these times is not an easy task and it can be a full-time position. Committee members please ask hard questions of state and local leaders before Election Day. Politics do not belong in schools and board members should be true to their nonpartisan position. Elect the right state politicians that will put bills in place to improve public education and not continue to starve into failure.”

She then thanked her fellow board members, FUSD administration and community for electing her to serve on the board.

FUSD Superintendent Chris Knutsen and Governing Board President Steve Johnson thanked Guenther for her exceptional leadership, coupled with her years of service.

“Although I was saddened to receive news of her resignation, I am truly grateful for Mrs. Guenther’s advocacy for FUSD and public education in the state of Arizona for the past 12 years,” Knutsen said in the press release. Her steadfast leadership has won recognition from the Arizona School Boards Association and has successfully guided the district through challenging times. We wish Mrs. Guenther all the best in the future. Lastly, I encourage anyone who qualifies to submit their application to the Pinal County School Superintendent’s Office for review and consideration.”

Guenther’s resignation was effective Wednesday, April 13. The Pinal County School Superintendent’s Office will be accepting applications from interested candidates who reside within the Florence Unified School District No. 1.

Candidates interested in being appointed will be able to apply with the Pinal County School Superintendents’ office, or online at www.pinalcso.org. The deadline for applying for the vacant Governing Board seat will be Friday, April 29. The successful candidate will be seated until Dec. 31, 2022.