This is a big election year. Thus far, the media has focused primarily on the presidential and congressional races, but before you know it, state-level campaign materials will fill our mailboxes, and our phones will ring with information about the propositions that affect all of us as Arizonans.
Although this year’s ballot is longer than most, I encourage you to persevere to the very end. There you will find the nonpartisan race that significantly impacts the Mesa community more than most others. This year, we will elect three people to serve on the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board.
Typically, school board elections receive little attention, and that’s unfortunate. The decisions made by this elected body have profound, long-term effects not only on our children, but on our community as a whole. The education provided our young people affects Mesa’s quality of life, economic health, future workforce, and even our property values.
Great schools are the foundation of strong neighborhoods; electing the right school board members is critically important to all of us.
Most of us have only a vague understanding of the responsibilities of our school board. We see them at school celebrations, speaking at graduation ceremonies, and attending student performances. However, as is the case for Mesa City Councilmembers, participation in community events is a fun, but small part of the job. Board members’ less visible, but critically important, responsibilities fall within three broad categories: 1) hire and evaluate the superintendent; 2) approve and monitor the district budget; 3) establish the district’s vision, goals and policies. The Board provides oversight, not management. But ultimately, the buck stops with them.
This November, I will cast my vote for Dr. Joe O’Reilly. His expertise in student achievement, educational research, school finance, and planning and zoning will make a significant contribution to the work of the Mesa Governing Board.
I know Joe O’Reilly to be an ethical servant leader, and I am certain he will be a responsible steward of our public funds. With the many controversial issues our school board has and will continue to face, Joe’s calm, caring, analytical approach will help guide sound decisions on behalf of the children and community he has long served. I hope you will join me in voting for Joe O’Reilly; he is precisely who we need.