School board bids farewell to Jim Irving

Maricopa Unified School District board member Jim Irving sat in his seat for the last time Tuesday amid high praise from teachers and colleagues.

Butterfield Elementary School Kristin McMullen took to the podium to praise Irving’s efforts as volunteer for the district and as a board member.

McMullen recalled when Irving first told her and other fifth-grade students about the chance to participate in the Society of Automotive Engineers A World in Motion program, designed to teach students about science and engineering. 

“He explained to us that we would be teaching force and motion while experienced engineers looked on,” McMullen said. “I think my exact words to him were, ‘Are you nuts?’”

“But he was right,” McMullen said, adding that the program in which Nissan engineers mentored students also served as “a great opportunity as a teacher to step outside of my comfort zone and challenge myself.”

“It also was the first time I ever saw every single student in my class feel like they made an equal contribution to a school project,” McMullen said. “It was unbelievable as a teacher to see kids who usually feel defeated at school feel accomplished about their final project. Mr. Irving brought that project to them.”

Irving was presented with a plaque by School Board President Scott Bartle.

Bartle praised Irving’s “calmness and his capability.”

“I know the biggest concern when (Irving) was appointed was what the impact going to be on his day job, given the countless hours he spent volunteering at our schools,” Bartle said.

***ADVERTISEMENT***“Fortunately, it did not negatively impact it,” Bartle said.

Irving was appointed to the board in September 2011 to replace Carrie Vargas. He did not run for election. Two other appointees, board Vice President Torri Anderson and Leslie Carlyle-Burnett, along with Veronica Gay were elected to the board in November and will take office in January joining Bartle and board secretary Patti Coutre.