MUSD candidates talk about the issues

The four candidates for three seats on the Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board answered our questions about current issues faced by the district ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

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MUSD Candidate Town Hall

AnnaMarie Knorr, the board president, and Torri Anderson are running for re-election, Jim Jordan was appointed to the board and is running for election for the first time, and Tracie Armstead-Payton is a newcomer seeking election.

What would you most want to change about how MUSD is run?

Anderson: The only job the governing board has control over is managing our policies, budget and hiring the superintendent. I would not change our superintendent. I am happy with the budget this year, as we are focused on investing in our students’ achievement.

Armstead-Payton: The role of a school board member is to set direction, policy and hire a superintendent to carry out the policies set by the board as well as manage day-to-day operations. The school board is a collective body, therefore no individual board member has authority.

Jordan: The responsibilities of a board member are to hire a superintendent, set policy and approve budgets. After interviewing administration leaders, I am assured that they are continuously looking for ways to improve and streamline MUSD 20 processes and eliminate redundancies.

Knorr: Under the leadership of Dr. Lopeman, backed by our amazing staff, MUSD has made significant changes to improve safety, communication, customer service and transparency, and we are not done. We have a vision and strategic plan to make MUSD the #1 school district in the state. We will continue to make changes and increase opportunities for our students because we know that we can always do more.

What is your evaluation of how MUSD leadership has dealt with COVID-19?

Armstead-Payton: The MUSD superintendent is addressing COVID-19 similarly as other school districts in Arizona and has made great strides to ensure the safety of staff and students. The district is following recommendations from the CDC, Arizona Department of Health and publicly discussed and posted school mitigation plans.

Jordan: They have done everything to protect students, teachers, employees and administrative staff that they can. They have responded to anything that comes up in an entirely professional way.

Knorr: Acknowledging that no one could be completely prepared for what we have experienced in 2020, I am proud of our leadership and staff for being flexible, making changes and supporting one another throughout this crisis. I am extremely thankful that the voters passed the override which allowed MUSD to purchase the additional technology that was necessary to give each student the tools they needed to participate in virtual school. I appreciate that parents and students have options to continue online through the semester and I look forward to discussing the next steps and how we can be better prepared in the future.

Anderson: Unfortunately, COVID has caused our communities to become divided. We did the best we could, with very limited information. Once we received the Department of Health benchmarks, we were finally able to plan vs. the “wait and see” approach.

What is your evaluation of how MUSD leadership planned for the 2019 bond election?

Jordan: I was not on the governing board at that time, so I am not able to offer an assessment.

Knorr: Ultimately, the bond election is the responsibility of the Board. We have the final vote in the amount and timing of the election. During the discussion for the 2019 bond election, I made a motion to advance a limited bond to the voters that would only finance the construction of the high school. My motion did not receive a second and it failed. I felt that a limited bond would have had a better chance of passing last year. However, it is a five-member board, and the majority dictates the outcome.

Anderson: The 2019 Bond Election failed and is over. Lessons are always learned.

Armstead-Payton: I was not on the school board when MUSD leadership planned for the bond and therefore not privy to any discussions about the planning process.

Should MUSD again try for a bond to help finance the second high school?

Knorr: I believe in giving the community the option to vote for resources and facilities for the students of MUSD. Currently, we are moving forward with the building plans for a starter high school because we have to utilize the funds from the School Facilities Board or we will lose them. I look forward to gaining community input as this process continues to help guide the District in the next steps for phase 2 of the high school.

Anderson: We will need to evaluate that when we have more information and the matter is presented to the Board for discussion and consideration.

Armstead-Payton: The MUSD Board will have to decide as a collective body if the district should try for a bond again and when it is to be placed on the ballot.

Jordan: It is entirely probable that sometime in the future a bond will be needed to build phase 2, 3, 4 and the other things that are needed for a fully functioning high school. As a Board, we will evaluate and discuss each option as the issue is presented.

Do you agree with MUSD’s selection of property for the second high school?

Anderson: [Did not respond]

Armstead-Payton: I was not on the Governing Board when property recommendations were being considered and therefore not privy to any discussions on this issue.

Jordan: Yes, I agree.

Knorr: I voted for the property selected for the second high school after spending a considerable amount of time over several months looking at the options available in Maricopa. Because of the floodplain issues, finding a large piece of land that can accommodate a high school campus is not as easy as it sounds. Further, I am thankful that we started the process of land purchase when we did, as the prices of land in Maricopa have increased substantially and we were able to lock in a relatively low price for what we are getting. We are fortunate the Maricopa is a growing community and we will ensure there is space for every student that wants to attend MUSD.

During your campaign, what have been the biggest concerns expressed to you by MUSD taxpayers?

Armstead-Payton: (1) Bonds and increasing taxes; (2) Getting students back in school; (3) Covid-19 safety protocols for students, staff and teachers; (4) Social emotional concerns; (5) Educational learning gaps

Jordan: When and how to return to school safely has been the biggest concern.

Knorr: COVID has really dominated the discussions in the past six months. I had several parents reach out to me asking for the opportunity for their student to go back to school. Specifically, I had an ER nurse and a Fry’s employee ask me to consider opening schools for their children because they were struggling with online learning. These people have been working on the front lines the entire time. I believe education is essential and I am pleased that MUSD has been able to accommodate the students and staff that want to continue online while giving those that want to attend traditional school the opportunity to go back.

Anderson: Our budget continues to be a topic of interest (and) making sure we address the educational inequities within our schools.

What assurance can you give this year’s seniors that they will have a fair opportunity for achievement given the COVID circumstances?

Jordan: We will, of course, do our utmost to give them the best education and graduation possible considering the conditions at the time.

Knorr: As a board member, I will always fight for a fair opportunity for every student and the right to the education they deserve. I voted to allow students to go back to school if they elected that option so that they could get the Senior Year experience. I am pleased to see that the District is allowing a limited number of fans to watch the sporting events so that the parents of seniors also don’t miss out on such a critical year. We have to consider all of the impacts that this pandemic is having on our society and our students. I believe mental health has been negatively impacted during the closures, and I am pleased that MUSD is responding to this crisis by providing services for our students.

Anderson: As a board member, every decision we make is focused on student achievement. Our MUSD goal #1 states: Every student graduates prepared to create, innovate, lead and succeed. Goal #2 states: Every student has access to and equity in excellent educational services, resources and programs. These goals are the driving force behind every decision made for our district.

Armstead-Payton: If elected, my term would not begin until January 2021. However, it is my opinion the superintendent along with school administrators should have seniors assessed to ensure they are meeting academic benchmarks and/or offering help for those who are not.

Do you support an increase in property taxes to help the state fund education?

Knorr: I support transparency in all aspects of education funding. I believe the current system of allowing local control of school funding is effective. It allows the voters who will pay the tax bill to make a determination if they believe the funding is necessary. It also promotes collaboration and communication among the District and the community.

Anderson: We will need to evaluate that when we have more information and the matter is presented to the Board for discussion and consideration.

Armstead-Payton: As a supporter of the public school system and a taxpayer, I would support an increase in property tax to help state fund education.

Jordan: My property tax went up this year and I did not like it. If this question refers to Prop 208, I do not support a Constitutional Amendment to raise taxes on a certain group of taxpayers. This could have the unintended effect of businesses and taxpayers leaving Arizona. I applaud any effort to keep property taxes low.

What must change to lift MUSD’s three C-rated schools to B’s?

Anderson: MUSD has collaborated with our community stakeholders to create our strategic plan. This plan drives the work at each school. As a board member, we can provide the support necessary through our budget decisions. With this strategic plan our schools will achieve their goals to become A-rated schools.

Armstead-Payton: In my estimation, the school board should set a vision and goals in order for the superintendent to create and carry out a strategic plan designed to increase school ratings.

Jordan: In my discussions with administration I understand them to be taking this issue very seriously. While it is not the board’s responsibility to step in to micro-manage individual schools, I strongly support administrative efforts to improve the education provided by each school.

Knorr: We have the most amazing teachers in MUSD. I believe in their ability to help our students grow and gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life. I am optimistic that we can move our school letter grades up. However, if you really look into what makes those grades, it’s based a lot on standardized testing. There is so much more to a child’s experience in school than the grade they get on a test. I want to make sure that our schools are supporting our students in all aspects of their education and that they know that they are valued, capable and important.

What do you see being an important issue for MUSD in the next four years that generally is not being talked about now?

Armstead-Payton: There are many competing interests for Maricopa schools; therefore, the school board should rely on the superintendent to prioritize critical issues they need to take action on.

Jordan: The continued growth of our city dictates consideration of additional classroom space. In general people are aware of this, but the process for determining when and where lower level schools or additions will happen has yet to be determined.

Knorr: Technology has changed our educational system and will continue to challenge traditional classroom models. This is not a bad thing. However, we need to be smart about how we incorporate these new ideas and tools. Career and technical education is growing and MUSD will lead the way in providing opportunities for our students to enhance their skills for the future. Financial literacy, budgeting and life skills need to be a part of our curriculum to give our students the best shot at success.

Anderson: Our MUSD strategic plan is thorough and addresses all the concerns, goals and ideas from our stakeholders. The one area we need to talk about is addressing diversity and inclusion in the Boardroom.

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This story appears in the October issue of InMaricopa magazine.