The Rotary Club of Tucson invited TUSD District board members running for re-election and new candidates to participate in a forum at the May 18th meeting.  The forum will focus on the future of the Tucson Unified School District.  Each candidate was asked to give a brief statement and bio.  See their information below in alphabetical order:
 
 
Kristel Ann Foster
Governing Board Member, Tucson Unified School District
 
Kristel is a public education advocate currently serving on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board. As a first time candidate in a pool of twelve, she came in first place in the 2012 election. She has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Northern Arizona University in Elementary/Multicultural Education and Educational Leadership and another master’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Arizona. She has over twenty years of teaching experience and is currently an instructional coach in neighboring Sunnyside School District. Kristel is an engaged community member focused on bettering public education for all children in Arizona. She aspires to higher elected office and to serve on statewide boards and committees to further her cause for Arizona students and teachers.
 
I am a teacher and public education advocate completing my first term on the Tucson Unified Governing Board. I am proud of my work with our superintendent Dr. HT Sanchez and my fellow Board members, Adelita Grijalva and Cam Juarez. Together, we focus on the goals outlined in our community-created Five Year Strategic Plan. Even with extreme budget cuts from the state, we have shifted resources and priorities to increase classroom spending by 4% and re-opened two closed schools as early childhood centers. We’ve given three employee raises so far and I am working every day to do even more for teacher salaries. I continue to advocate for teacher centered, site based professional development to bring more autonomy to the educators who know how to improve student achievement.
 
I am honored to be endorsed by the following community leaders: Mayor Rothschild and all five City Council Members, Supervisor Richard Elias, Senator Steve Farley and Senator Dave Bradley, Representatives Randy Friese, Matt Kopec, Bruce Wheeler, Stefanie Mach and Andrea Dalessandro, Congressman Raul Grijalva and Ron Barber.  We are on track to achieving every goal in our strategic plan. This collaboration, continuity, stability and articulated vision is the key to transforming TUSD.
 
Betts Putnam-Hidalgo
Candidate, TUSD Governing Board
 
Betts Putnam-Hidalgo is a TUSD parent and active volunteer in the schools. She was a Community Representative at Holladay Fine Arts Elementary for two years.  She has attended Board meetings for approximately 6 years and often speaks during Call to the Audience. She has a B.S. in Resource Mgmt and an M.A. in Latin American Studies with a focus in political science, both from the University of Arizona.
 
I'm Betts Putnam-Hidalgo and I'm running for TUSD Governing Board. My son, Danilo, is a student in TUSD. I volunteered in every school he attended from primary school to high school. When the district began closing schools about 6 years ago, I began attending Board meetings. I still go, often speaking during the Call to the Audience.
 
I advocate for more engaging curricula, smaller class sizes and less standardized testing. After discovering the shell game of district financing while investigating desegregation funds, I pushed for accountability and transparency in the budget process. The approval of contracts without review and the disparity of raises also concerns me. The Board's primary role is to make sure the Superintendent implements Board policy. We have yet to see a full Board majority do that.
 
Too often Board meetings hinge on politics and personalities instead of sound decision-making on issues important to students and teachers. A more open policy process with greater public input will increase enrollment as parents and other concerned citizens realize they have a voice. When I am on the Board, you will be too. And when we are on the Board, we can change the actions of the District.
 
Lori Riegel, MJEd
Candidate, TUSD Governing Board
 
Lori Riegel had been involved in education for 25 years.  She is a PhD candidate in Educational Leadership at Lesley University, and holds a Masters in Jewish Education with a Certificate in Special Education from Hebrew College.  Lori is the proud parent of a University High School graduate, and she herself graduated from UHS almost 25 years to the day from her daughter’s graduation.  She is the Youth in Philanthropy Chair for the Association of Fundraising Professionals and chairs the Tucson Unified School District Technology Oversight Committee.  Lori is also an Educational Champion with FosterEd, working to close achievement gaps for students living in foster care.  She is serving on the board of the Educational Enrichment Foundation and is working on a special project to expand Family University, a program that helps students and families navigate the college admissions process.  Lori is the Development Director at Arizona’s Children Association.
 
As a candidate for TUSD Governing Board, Lori Riegel is focused on engaging the community in addressing the district’s needs.  Listening to stakeholders, and truly hearing what they have to say about issues such as school safety and optimal learning environments, are crucial to being responsive as a governing board member.  Reducing kindergarten and first grade class sizes are a priority, as the first years of school set critical foundations for literacy and success in learning.  Reducing the large number of teacher vacancies and setting aggressive classroom spending targets are both key goals for achieving stability in the district.  Lori has 25 years of experience in education and child welfare issues.
 
 
Mark Stegeman
Governing Board Member, Tucson Unified School District
 
Mark Stegeman grew up in northern California and graduated from Pomona College, where he graduated Magna cum Laude with a double major in mathematics and economics. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and taught at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and at Virginia Tech before accepting a tenured position at the Eller College of Business.
 
Mark worked as a management consultant for Hughes Space and Communications, before it was acquired by Boeing. He is a longtime owner of commercial property and apartments.
 
Mark connected with the Tucson Unified School District when the board appointed him as a charter member of the district’s audit committee. He attended scores of board meetings before running for the board in 2008. He was reelected in 2012 by a wide margin.
 
 
 
 
 
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