Coutré: All local officials should support public education

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MUSD Board President Patti Coutre. Photo by William Lange

By Patti Coutré

I truly believe that public education should be supported by our elected officials on every level, local, state and federal; and I will always vote for those who will best represent my interests.

It was no surprise to see Steve Smith’s opposition for the MUSD Override.  Per his voting record, he never has supported public education in Maricopa and will never get my vote.  It is extremely frustrating to have two local City Council candidates, Nancy Smith and Dan Frank, not take a position either in support or opposition of the MUSD Override.  How much time would it take to get the information that they need in order to take a stand?

Joshua Babb, newcomer to the political arena, was able to attend an Override Committee meeting and with a few follow up emails get the information that he needed to support the Override.  Why can’t Nancy or Dan do the same?  Do they think that education is not important to the City of Maricopa?  Do they think that because they have previously served on the Council that they should be elected to do so again?  Are they worried that they will lose voters if they take a stand one way or the other?

Maricopa does not need wishy-washy elected officials making, or not making, decisions for our City.  My concern is if either of them is elected as council member, what other future issues will come up that they don’t have the time to research or take a position on?  Education is vital to the growth of our community.  We need more businesses and we need an educated, employable workforce.  Improving our schools will help grow our economy and raise our property values.

The MUSD Override will accomplish this by putting more teachers in the classroom and improving instructional technology.  Going to the polls and voting should not be like pulling the lever on a slot machine, hoping for the “jackpot” but end up with a “bust.”


Patti Coutré is president of the Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Yes I am a property owner and yes I do pay taxes. I am also a single mom of four with a very limited income and household budget and I will find a way to make my budget work in order to support our Maricopa School District.