School Board MemberSchool board members are elected for a four-year term by voters within the school district during the general election in even-numbered years. Qualifications include living in the district for at least one year, being a registered voter, and a candidate may not be an employee of the district when assuming office or have a spouse or dependent employed by the district.School board members are nonpartisan and are responsible for broad, forward-thinking, and decisive action in all areas that affect students and staff in their schools. School board members have no individual authority, but their authority rests in casting a vote at required governing board meetings.Responsibilities of the board include hiring and evaluating the superintendent, providing input in budget development to ensure funding is provided to meet goals and monitoring and approving the budget, setting salaries for employees, approving purchases, establishing and approving policies, approving curriculum materials, adopting the school calendar, reviewing regulations for compliance with policy, approving personnel actions based on superintendent recommendations, closing or constructing schools; assessing board effectiveness, monitoring progress toward goals.Why you should care:The school board’s role is to advocate for public education in the community and ensure the school district is well run. The board, as a whole, monitors performance to meet academic, financial, and operational goals. The collaborative decisions made by school board members will affect children and their parents, the livelihood of school district employees, and the economic well-being of an entire community. This position is unpaid and requires time, a willingness to learn about issues affecting the school district, and a passion for a positive culture and public education system committed to providing the best and most appropriate education for all children.For additional information:https://www.azk12.org/media/yjvlpkfo/district-school-board-duties.pdfMiembro de la junta escolarLos miembros de la junta escolar son elegidos por un período de cuatro años por los votantes del distrito escolar durante las elecciones generales en años pares. Los requisitos incluyen haber vivido en el distrito durante al menos un año, estar registrado para votar y un candidato no puede ser un empleado del distrito al asumir el cargo o tener un cónyuge o dependiente empleado por el distrito.Los miembros de la junta escolar no son partidistas. Estos son responsables de acciones amplias, progresistas y decisivas en todas las áreas que afectan a los estudiantes y al personal de sus escuelas. Los miembros de la junta escolar no tienen autoridad individual, mas bien, su autoridad se basa en emitir un voto en las reuniones requeridas de la junta directiva.Las responsabilidades de la junta incluyen contratar y evaluar al superintendente, brindar aportes en el desarrollo del presupuesto para garantizar que se proporcionen fondos para cumplir con las metas y monitorear y aprobar el presupuesto, establecer salarios para los empleados, aprobar compras, establecer y aprobar reglamentos, aprobar materiales curriculares, adoptar el calendario escolar, revisar los reglamentos para el cumplimiento de las políticas existentes, aprobar acciones de personal basadas en las recomendaciones del superintendente, cerrar o construir escuelas; evaluar la efectividad de la junta, monitorear el progreso en función de las metas.Por qué debería importarle:El papel de la junta escolar es interceder por la educación pública en la comunidad y garantizar que el distrito escolar esté bien administrado. La junta, como un todo, supervisa el desempeño para cumplir con las metas académicas, financieras y operativas. Las decisiones colaborativas tomadas por los miembros de la junta escolar afectarán a los niños y sus padres, el sustento de los empleados del distrito escolar y el bienestar económico de toda una comunidad. Este puesto no es remunerado y requiere tiempo, disposición para aprender acerca de los problemas que afectan al distrito escolar y pasión por una cultura positiva y un sistema de educación público comprometido con brindar la mejor educación posible y la más adecuada para todos los niños.Para información adicional:https://www.azk12.org/media/yjvlpkfo/district-school-board-duties.pdf
Public Policy Priorities
Student safety, quality education, teacher development and retention, teacher and staff support, community outreach and inclusion
Qualifications and Experience
I am a mother to 5 children ages 3-13, and 4 of my kids are in the Laveen school district. When my youngest goes to school in 2 years, I’ll have kids in the district for nearly 2 decades by the time he finishes. I clearly have a vested interest in what’s happening in our schools and district because it directly affects my kids, my home, my family, my friends, and my community. I have a Master’s degree in Education and began teaching in 2006. I taught high school English and ESL and have taught in many diverse schools (ie. Juvenile detention, residential treatment facilities, a school for refugees, and night classes), so I have a diverse viewpoint and am able to understand the needs of different populations and care deeply about all students
Endorsements
Arizona List, Save Our Schools Arizona, Good Party
Community Service
Youth activity leader and teacher for my church for 16 years, volunteer coach for the Jr. Suns organization for 10 different teams, volunteer coach softball coach at my kids’ school, volunteer basketball and soccer coach at CCV
Occupation
Former teacher
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Master’s degree in Education
I hope to create a community where the school board is respected and seen as a place where all people and views are welcomed and heard, where there is discussion and not discord, and where everyone’s main goal is the best interest of our students. I think we create this vision by treating others how we would like to be treated, and that includes our students and teachers, as we show them respect by listening to their concerns and feelings and implementing their ideas. We are so fortunate to live in a diverse community in Laveen where we have so many talented and amazing people from all backgrounds that make our district rich and full of positive energy and ideas. As we recognize everyone’s strengths and do our best to focus on them while giving everyone a voice to be heard, we create an environment that values all types of students and people and welcomes diversity with open arms.
I think the best type of leader is one who listens to understand and who values everyone’s experiences and is able to collaborate with others in a leadership type that isn’t authoritarian but is respectful and collaborative. Having been a teacher myself, I know how critical good leadership is with a district superintendent and how they can set the tone for the entire district, so I would also prioritize a positive attitude and someone who helps teachers, staff, and students feel safe to be themselves and share their ideas and who values constructive criticism and new ideas and welcomes diversity.
The costs of special education evaluations, services for ESA students, and policies and pricing regarding these students is something that, not unlike other issues, is complicated and nuanced and should be addressed together in collaboration with the school board, district administration and teachers, while listening to the views and experiences of parents, in order to make the best decisions for the district, schools, and each individual family and student.
I feel the three most pressing issues our school board faces is student safety, quality curriculum, and acquiring and retaining highly qualified, skilled teachers. As a school board, with these as our three most pressing issues, we would collaborate with the district staff, parents, and community to make sure every issue to be addressed falls under these three categories so that we have direction and purpose in our planning and implementation and don’t lose focus of what our goals are. If the issue falls under one of these core categories, then we will give it precedence and funding based on that and the needs of our students and the district and community we serve.
I think the school board should work together with the school administrators, teachers, and parents on most, if not all, issues, including curriculum development. When the school board, district employees, and community have synergy as they work together, that is guaranteed to be a successful district with positive outcomes and high achievement. This can only be achieved through listening and collaboration and coming to conclusions together that best meet the needs of our district’s students because, after all, they are who we serve and the most important reason we do what we do.
Endorsements
Save Our Schools Arizona
Occupation
Deputy Chief of HR
My primary focus is ensuring the safety of our students, teachers, and staff is a top priority, and I will work to enhance communications, safety measures and create safe environments for all.
I believe that ensuring all students have a school learning environment that fits their interests is crucial to their success and readiness for high school.
My name is Jen Goetzke, and I am running for the Laveen ESD 59 School Board as an Independent, non-partisan candidate. With my professional experience in public service and my current role as an incumbent Governing Board Member, I bring a wealth of knowledge and dedication to this position.
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Safety
Providing safe environments for teachers, staff, and students is paramount. This includes campus police, communication, and education for parents and staff.
Enhance campus police presence
Improve communication channels
Educate parents and staff on safety protocols
Education
I firmly believe that strong communities build strong youth. Our youth are the key to a successful future for not only Laveen but our entire country. By leveraging technology, building and maintaining a high-quality curriculum, we can ensure our students have the necessary tools to achieve their dreams. With signature programs at each of the Laveen Elementary Schools, every child has a place in the community to express their interests and explore their talents. Recruiting and retaining top talent in our schools and support staff is critical to the mission of LESD.
Leverage technology to enhance learning
Maintain a high-quality curriculum
Recruit and retain top talent
Fiscal Responsibility
Review and assessment
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