Scottsdale Parent Council is committed to providing parents with information about the candidates who are running for election to the SUSD Governing Board on November 5, 2024. You can find more information about the November general election at https://elections.maricopa.gov/.
There are six candidates running for three open seats on the SUSD Governing Board. SPC invited all candidates to share with SUSD parents their hopes and plans should they be elected. Candidates were invited by email to provide answers to seven questions. The candidates’ exact responses follow each question, in alphabetical order by last name.
1. What makes you qualified to serve on the SUSD Governing Board? What qualifications and experience do you possess for managing the district’s extensive and complex finances?
Jeanne Beasley
As a litigation paralegal, I bring extensive research skills, critical thinking on complex issues, problem-solving abilities, multitasking with attorneys and staff, active listening, and experience in a collaborative team environment. These skills will serve me well as your next SUSD School Board Member. Currently, I serve on the SUSD Audit Committee, which has given me an in-depth understanding of the district’s half-billion dollar budget. Over the past several years, I have attended every SUSD board meeting in person, gaining a firm grasp of the district’s successes, opportunities, and challenges. Most importantly, my role as a mother has taught me invaluable lessons about working with others.
Drew Hassler
I am a father of 2 SUSD students, a graduate of SUSD, a lifelong member of the community and a taxpayer. As a local small business owner, I am intimately familiar with budgeting and what is required to create an efficient, quality product.
Gretchen Jacobs
With over 26 years working at the Arizona Capitol, I have gained extensive knowledge in school district governance, including school finance, taxes, the auditor general’s role, Career and Technical Education Districts, ADM, charter schools, ESAs, public risk pools, and property tax lawsuits like Transwestern Pipeline and Qasimyer. I am also well-versed in the School Facilities Board and more.
With a passion for making a difference, extensive legislative experience, and an understanding of how to navigate government, I will be able to hit the ground running.
I am interested in understanding other points of view and find that incorporating additional perspectives improves public policy. I’ve worked collaboratively, developing respect on both sides of the aisle by finding good in each person with whom I work, seeking to understand. I truly believe that when others have sincerely held beliefs that differ from mine, their points of view have value. At the same time, I am unafraid of conflict, recognizing that it is healthy. While I am unafraid of conflict, recognizing it as a healthy part of the process, I find that the effort and emotional investment in these discussions lead to better outcomes.
Donna Lewis, PhD
I have served as an educational leader for over 40 years at the national, state, and local levels. I have been a teacher and an elementary, middle school, and high school principal. I oversaw the educational accountability system for Arizona’s state testing program and school letter grades. Most recently, I served as the Superintendent in a neighboring district with a $65 million budget and 800 employees, where our schools improved from Cs, Ds, and Fs to As, Bs, and Cs. My Governing Board was recognized by ASBA for Best Boardsmanship and Community Engagement. I fully understand the complexities of educational budgets, the restrictions they present, the compliance boundaries, and the difference between supplementing and supplanting. I was named National Superintendent of the Year for Arizona in 2021 and have trained board members nationally in the budget process.
Matthew Pittinsky, PhD
Along with Mike Sharkey and Donna Lewis, I am running to bring professional experience to the Governing Board during a very complex time for our schools. I am a parent of SUSD students (12 years and counting), with two currently in district schools and one at Brophy. My wife and I have served on the site councils of our SUSD elementary and middle schools. In addition to my experience as a parent, I have a 25-year career in the field of education technology. In 1997, I co-founded and led the global EdTech company Blackboard, while more recently I built Parchment, a Scottsdale-based company that also serves schools and universities, including SUSD. Through building these businesses and serving on education boards, I have gained experience managing large operating budgets ($100M+), and teams of more than 1,000 employees. I earned my Masters degree in Education Policy from Harvard and my Ph.D. in Sociology of Education from Columbia University and Teacher’s College. Finally, I taught as an Assistant Professor at ASU, further adding to my relevant education experience.
Mike Sharkey
My 30 years of professional experience (including over 20 years in the education industry) make me very qualified to serve on the SUSD Governing Board. I have started and sold my own business. I have been a consultant to businesses on multi-million dollar strategic decisions. I currently manage a staff of 30 and a budget of $5 million for ASU. Finally, I have been involved with SUSD as a parent and/or mentor for 17 years, so I can understand the impacts the tradeoffs of financial decisions will have on our schools.
2. What are your top 3 priorities for SUSD?
Jeanne Beasley
Only 34% of SUSD’s 9th graders are proficient in science. In the past three years, more than 2,200 students have left the district, and thus SUSD now serves only about half of the children in Scottsdale. It’s time to ask the hard questions and take meaningful action to ensure that SUSD remains a strong, vibrate public school option for Scottsdale families.
Continuing to do the same things and expecting different outcomes is not an option. If our public schools are to compete in the education marketplace, they must provide an educational product that will attract and retain students. As a governing board member, I will prioritize academics through support of increased funding for classroom instruction, teachers, and reading and math specialists. Academic achievement and teacher support are critical to student success. I will prioritize student safety and support hiring school resource officers for every SUSD campus. I will honor Arizona’s parents’ rights laws, ensuring that parents are treated with respect and that they have the final say in their child’s education.
Drew Hassler
- Academics and curriculum
- Prioritize spending for classroom resources and teacher pay/benefits
- Parental involvement to create a safe and well-rounded education
Gretchen Jacobs
When elected, my first priority is to ensure the safety of our students. Arizona law and board policy requires SUSD to conduct background investigations on those seeking employment to work with children. Without exception, this process must be followed. I also support school resource officers on every SUSD campus.
Second, academic achievement scores are concerning, with, for example, less than 50% of 8th graders proficient in math. To get students caught up, the support of math specialists to enable students increased time and practice is essential. With enrollment in SUSD is declining, with only about half of Scottsdale’s children attending SUSD schools, we must be proactive to strengthen outcomes in order to compete in Arizona’s education landscape.
Third, support for our teachers is critical. We must reduce staff turnover, decrease health insurance costs, increase teacher pay, restaff reading and math specialists, and redirect more funds to the classroom to directly impact student outcomes.
Donna Lewis, PhD
1. LEARNING FOR ALL students with an emphasis in mathematics and assurances that our students will receive meaningful and relevant learning opportunities to better prepare them for the workforce.
2. PARENTS AS PARTNERS. When parents are treated with welcoming respect to collaborate with teachers, the best student outcomes occur.
3. ORGANIZATIONAL EFFICIENCIES. As goals and contexts evolve, and as resources need to be distributed adequately to the top services we wish to initiate, protect, and eliminate, it is up to the Board to review our budget regularly in alignment with our agreed upon top priorities.
Matthew Pittinsky, PhD
My top priorities are strengthening Board governance, increasing enrollments, and improving student outcomes.
First, it is the Board’s role to set policy, ensure good stewardship of taxpayer dollars, support and hold the Superintendent accountable for moving our district forward, and advocating for strong neighborhood schools. It is not our role to insert ourselves into the management of the district based on our personal or political predispositions. This distracts school leaders from classroom learning.
Second, since 2010, the percentage of Scottsdale’s school age children attending district schools has dropped from 70% to 56%. The district has also experienced catastrophic turnover, with 13 superintendents serving in the 14 years preceding our current district leadership. I cannot think of any successful company where the CEO changes with such alarming frequency. Progress on critical issues requires consistent leadership, accountability, and well-earned and deserved community trust.
Third, SUSD faces significant challenges regarding student learning outcomes, particularly in math. We must insist on continuous improvement. Being better than other districts is not enough. What truly matters is the growth and proficiency of every child in our care. This is why allowing our district to stay focused is so important.
Mike Sharkey
- Improve academic outcomes for all students
- Make SUSD the school of choice for Scottsdale families
- Ensure SUSD makes financial decisions that are in the best interest for the long-term viability of the district
3. The programs and classes available at each campus vary considerably. As a governing board member, how will you ensure that students throughout the district have equivalent opportunities?
Jeanne Beasley
Every student deserves quality curriculum, support from our exceptional teachers and a safe environment to learn. We must direct dollars to our classrooms above all else, ensuring that valued teachers are supported, and students have the lessons, reading/math specialists and programs they need to succeed.
Drew Hassler
With test scores and enrollment at a steady decline, a comprehensive evaluation of all programs and curriculum at each school is the first step to ensure all SUSD students are receiving the top tier education they deserve and is expected of the district. An analysis of each school’s budget would be one way to find what is working and what isn’t. The needs and community of each school varies, so resources need to be applied responsibly and effectively. I would also seek input from the administration and teachers from each campus (together and separately), as those individuals would be the most knowledgeable about their respective campuses.
Gretchen Jacobs
Outstanding teachers, equipped with a high-quality curriculum, are essential to enhancing our students’ academic achievement. Equally important is parent involvement and respect for their right to guide their children’s education. Regardless of the campus a student attends, we must uphold the same high standards and ensure consistent, quality education for every student. To that end, I am very receptive to learning of and championing additional measures should your organization have specific suggestions in mind beyond SUSD’s current measures.
Donna Lewis, PhD
There will be basic services we want to consider foundational and provide equally across all schools. As schools customize their offerings to meet the dreams and desires of their student body, parents, and communities, we need to balance both foundational expectations and personalized needs, with budgets, staff, and expertise aligned to the unique needs of each campus. I would regularly assess which schools receive specialized funding and training, and compare that to those that do not. I would ask site administrators to describe their approach to delivering customized services, and central administration to explain how they support and encourage creative opportunities for students at each of our schools.
Matthew Pittinsky, PhD
SUSD is a large and complex district, serving 20,000 students across 30 sites. Our student population includes those from great wealth as well as those from distressing poverty. We have 3,000 employees and cover an expansive geographic area. While programs and classes vary considerably across campuses, it’s important to note that they also vary significantly within schools, depending on IB, honors, gifted programs, etc. The Board must ensure that reporting allows for clear comparisons both within and across schools.
Additionally, Board members have a responsibility to stay active in the community and spend time at various school sites. I recognize that my experience with three SUSD schools (four if you include online) is not necessarily representative of all parents’ experiences. We need to be out in the community to broaden our perspectives. Finally, when developing budgets, it is crucial that we balance the needs of different school communities.
Mike Sharkey
SUSD is fortunate to have first-rate specialty programs throughout the district, such as language immersion, IB, AVID, and STEAM. While it is not practical to offer every program at all campuses, the recent expansion of programs to more schools is promising. As a Governing Board member, I will support the efforts of district leadership to broaden these offerings and will be a positive ambassador for SUSD as we seek to partner with the business community to develop new educational opportunities.
4. As a governing board member, how will you work to ensure all SUSD students feel safe at school?
Jeanne Beasley
Every elementary, middle and high school campus should have a school resource officer. Without student safety, nothing else matters.
Drew Hassler
I believe that there should be an SRO at every single school in the district. In order to achieve this, I will work with state and local law enforcement agencies to make this happen.
Gretchen Jacobs
- As mentioned above, require SUSD to abide by its adopted policy, as required by law, to contact prior employers of those seeking employment at SUSD to confirm the applicants’ suitability to work with children using the cited on the SUSD’s website.
- Draw down funding provided through the Arizona Department of Education for School Resource Officers and more via the School Safety Program established in ARS §15-154 https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2023/10/SSP%20FY24%20%20Manual%20for%20CSWs%20schools.pdf
- Focus on academics over activism.
Donna Lewis, PhD
I would first examine the patterns we have observed regarding where students feel vulnerable and unsafe. I would ask our facilities team to provide regular reports on their collaboration with Scottsdale safety authorities to assess our buildings and implement improvements to our security protocols. From my experience, I understand that the architectural design of each building may require an individualized plan for fire drills, evacuation drills, and lockdown drills. I would seek to understand the timing and execution of these drills, recognizing that different situations, such as lunch periods, arrivals and dismissals, or regular classroom activities, may require alternative plans. I would ask the board to provide input on our safety policies and regulations to identify areas for improvement. We also need to examine our students’ sense of safety, especially concerning social media and during times of reduced supervision.
Matthew Pittinsky, PhD
Ensuring a safe learning environment is the most fundamental responsibility of the Governing Board. As a parent, I think about safety across every aspect of the school experience, from the bus, to the buildings, to the sports fields. The role of the Governing Board is to ensure that school safety is adequately funded and that the district continuously learns from and applies best practices. We must research and secure state and federal funding opportunities related to school safety. Finally, we need to foster good communication and promote a “see something, say something” mindset throughout the community.
Mike Sharkey
I will support the district superintendent, director of safety and security, and other staff members who work daily to ensure our students can learn in a safe environment. As a Governing Board member, I will collaborate with my colleagues to prioritize safety in our budget. Additionally, I will work closely with district leaders to ensure we fully utilize all available state and federal programs that provide funding and resources to enhance school safety.
5. SUSD is a large district. How will you represent all families in the district?
Jeanne Beasley
In my profession, being detail-oriented listener is crucial, and this skill will be invaluable when I am elected to the board. I firmly believe that our district thrives when parents are actively involved. We must honor parents’ rights to guide their children’s education. To facilitate this, we should offer various channels—such as surveys, public comments, communication platforms like Let’s Talk, and community meetings—for parents to voice their opinions. It’s essential that parents are included in any decisions affecting their children. Additionally, school board members must adhere to Arizona laws and SUSD policies concerning parents’ rights, curriculum, and access to both written and online information.
Drew Hassler
I will encourage an open line of communication between the board, district staff members, teachers, parents and community members. In the public school system, there is always room for improvement and one of the best ways to achieve said improvement is opening the door for new ideas and input.
Gretchen Jacobs
With the diversity of interests, populations and needs of the 21,000k students that SUSD serves, representing all families requires a genuine commitment of effort and understanding. Will share thoughts on a couple of areas as examples.
Many successful individuals faced challenges in school, yet their differences ultimately became their strengths. Whether it’s a child who doesn’t speak English at home, a student with dyslexia, a student needing extra help in math, or like my daughter, who is non-verbal with autism but understands far more than she can communicate, supporting these students and their teachers is especially important to me. Sometimes, the difference in outcome is providing a gifted student with relevant academic instruction and support in gifted programs.
For over a decade, I represented the consortium of Career & Technical Education Districts (CTEDs) at the Arizona Capitol. I traveled to every CTED in the state and became familiar with their many facets. Supporting SUSD’s collaboration with EVIT, while incentivizing and removing barriers for students to complete trainings and certifications, is critical.
Donna Lewis, PhD
I have experience working with both highly educated, high-income families, as well as families who struggle economically. I also understand the challenges faced by parents who are dedicated to their children’s educational success but have limited capacity to partner with schools due to time constraints. I will not make broad, generalized statements or assumptions about a one-size-fits-all model. I will advocate for parent representation on our district committees, ensuring diverse viewpoints are heard. During each adoption or agenda approval, I will ask the board, ‘Did we forget anyone?’ I will also work to ensure that all first languages in our community have ample access to district topics through translations. In the past, I have found it helpful to collaborate with nonprofit and faith-based organizations to gain a deeper understanding of community perspectives. Sometimes, our quieter community members are less vocal, making it important to understand their views beyond public comments at the podium. Surveys and family forums can help achieve this.
Matthew Pittinsky, PhD
This upcoming election will determine the majority direction of the SUSD Governing Board. There are five seats on the Governing Board, three of which are up for election to four-year terms. When we vote, we are electing representatives of the community. Our neighborhood schools are the backbone of our community, and who we elect will reflect our community’s values and priorities — not just for parents, but for all homeowners and taxpayers.
Importantly, representing the community does not mean running day-to-day operations. The role of the school board is to set policy, prudently manage taxpayer dollars, and hire and hold the Superintendent accountable.
Given that our community is made up of diverse parents and interests, we should be cautious of any Board member who, under the guise of representing “the community,” begins to ignore policy and engage in micromanagement. That is not representation—it’s the pursuit of personal agendas.
I will attend various school events and visit different sites. I will also utilize mechanisms like the Scottsdale Parents Council, and the school PTOs/APTs to gather feedback on critical issues, alongside survey data gathered by the district.
Mike Sharkey
I will represent all families by leveraging new and existing communication channels that allow us to gather input from families across the district. This includes using my data analysis expertise to help organize the input.
6. What does good board and district communication look like to you?
Jeanne Beasley
All actions taken by a governing board should be transparent. Private discussions often come to light and can undermine trust in the district. The board is made up of five individuals, each potentially holding different opinions, and that diversity is valuable. As board members, our responsibility is to seek common ground when possible and to respectfully disagree when necessary. I advocate for more open board dialogue and enhanced communication with the community.
Drew Hassler
Aside from open and transparent board meetings, proactively seeking input from the schools and district communication is a must. By listening to community input and taking action, the board and district will build trust and maintain a collaborative relationship with parents, students, and other community members.
Gretchen Jacobs
It is my belief that those who make the sacrifices to serve in as an SUSD Board member in this volunteer position do so with an interest to do right by the students, teachers and district and must be treated accordingly.
Developing a trusted relationship with the Superintendent and the executive team is imperative. Advance reading and preparation for board meetings helps board meetings to run smoothly and be productive.
Donna Lewis, PhD
I have never heard anyone claim that communication is perfect—here, there, or anywhere. However, I have often heard people say, ‘You’re always available, and I feel like I can really talk to you.’ For me, approachability and authenticity are the two key ingredients. Effective communication, especially on complicated topics, can be fluid and messy; it requires trust and vulnerability. It’s important to recognize that we’re all learning how to connect and contribute better. That said, I believe in starting with those closest to the issues. For example, if there’s a concern about transportation, I would encourage starting with the driver or the transportation department, where it can best be addressed. If someone wants to speak out on a broader topic, I’d be happy to receive a phone call and help think through the best starting point, ensuring we respect and include those closest to the issue. My goal is to create a safe space where diverse perspectives are honored and to foster community growth through civil discourse.
Matthew Pittinsky, PhD
Good communication happens when families and district employees see their priorities reflected in Board discussions, and when the community understands and appreciates those discussions. The district has invested in modern communication systems like ParentSquare and Let’s Talk to ensure that parent-teacher, parent-school, and parent-district communications are accessible and accountable.
For me, having attended or watched all the recent Board meetings, a key riddle to solve is how the Board can engage in meaningful discussion of topics raised in open comments, or that emerge from discussion of agenda items, while staying within open meeting laws. Maybe current practice is the best we can do, but it would be great if the Board and community could engage in more natural discussions of key concerns and issues.
Mike Sharkey
As a Governing Board member, I will always welcome input from stakeholders. While carefully considering every concern, I will strive to distinguish between issues affecting the broader community and those representing individual interests.
In terms of district communication with stakeholders, it’s important to offer a variety of modes to ensure accessibility to all. The adoption of tools like ParentSquare, Let’s Talk, the updated SUSD website, and increased social media activity are all positive steps forward.
7. As we all know, there are many good things happening in SUSD. How do you plan to leverage the SUSD’s existing strengths to expand on those successes?
Jeanne Beasley
The greatest strength of SUSD lies in our teachers. I will always prioritize allocating funds to the classroom, where it can directly benefit our staff and students. Teachers have expressed their need for reading and math specialists at board meetings, and I am heartened that they feel comfortable seeking the district’s support. When I serve on the board, it will be my honor to vote in favor of their requests. By focusing on our teachers and academics, we can build a stronger SUSD that attracts and retains students. Since funding follows students, this is a crucial step towards ensuring our public schools are fully funded.
Drew Hassler
The many positives and strengths that exist in the district are a result of systems and policies that work. Common sense dictates that similar procedures should be applied to areas that need improvement.
Gretchen Jacobs
So important and my favorite question!
Parents are an incredible resource for inspiration and ideas to leverage SUSD’s existing strengths and expand on those successes. Would love to partner with SUSD support organizations such as the Scottsdale Parent Council to come up with innovative approaches that we can implement. Broadcasting our successes is essential to building momentum to reversing our decline in enrollment – so I am all in!
Donna Lewis, PhD
Success breeds success. By honoring the good things, we will encourage even more of them. Even when we stumble, the positive comes from sharing what we’ve learned together. I love seeing social media posts that celebrate our students, teachers, and staff. I love the Return on Investment study that acknowledges the 5:1 ROI we get from the excellence of our graduates. We lift each other up through both the tough times and the trophies. It is time to assume good intentions from one another and build our community pride in our fantastic SUSD schools!
Matthew Pittinsky, PhD
Thank you for this question! There are indeed many great things happening in our district, starting with our amazing teachers and the tireless work of parent volunteers. Unfortunately, there is a segment of our community that focuses more on criticism and sowing fear and distrust than on celebrating successes and problem-solving. It saddens and frustrates me when I see the integrity of our district being questioned. As a local employer, I’ve worked to recruit families to move to Scottsdale to work for Parchment, only for them to encounter inaccurate portrayals of our schools.
Some of our seniors attend the best colleges in the state and across the country, while others enter the workforce directly, thanks to strong vocational programs. We have students who are recognized nationally for their extraordinary performance in sports, arts, debate, and a wide variety of extracurricular pursuits. It is the Governing Board’s responsibility to highlight and celebrate these successes so that the community understands all that SUSD has to offer and is more likely to choose SUSD—or at least support budget overrides and bonds.
Mike Sharkey
The numerous success stories at SUSD are a key factor in attracting families to the district. They also impact the community’s willingness to support bonds and override. While there is always room for improvement in any organization, I believe it is the responsibility of Governing Board members to celebrate the successes of SUSD and offer solutions for areas needing improvement, rather than only criticize. To build on our successes, we need collaborative efforts from district leadership, staff, families, and community members, working toward our common goals of higher academic achievement and workforce readiness. There is plenty of room for criticism if it is constructive and backed by a genuine willingness to work together for solutions.
Thank you for reading! Should you have any questions, please visit the Contact or Connect section on candidates’ campaign webpages (again listed in alphabetical order).
Jeanne Beasley: https://www.beasleyforsusd.com/
Drew Hassler: https://www.hassler4strongschools.com/
Gretchen Jacobs: https://jacobsforsusd.com/
Donna Lewis, PhD: https://www.lewis4susd.com/
Matthew Pittinsky, PhD: https://www.pittinsky4susd.com/
Mike Sharkey: https://www.sharkey4susd.com/