5 to compete for 2 school board seats; Knorr unopposed

Six candidates, including two incumbents, have filed to run for three Maricopa Unified School District governing board positions. AnnaMarie Knorr is running unopposed for a two-year term, which completes the four-year term to which she was appointed last year.

Patti Coutre’s and Scott Bartle’s terms also expire at the end of the year. Coutre, parish secretary at Our Lady of Grace Church, is running for reelection. Bartle is running for the Arizona Senate.

Competing for the two seats against incumbent Coutre are Gary Miller, Rhonda Melvin, Adam Schrader and Jaysie Sheppard.

Miller is a behavioral health specialist who served on the 2014 MUSD Budget Committee.

“My motivation derives from a desire to measure and improve outcomes for our school system as much as possible by focusing on the ‘A’ solutions while addressing the district's financial problems, to retain quality teachers, and to be involved with the district while I have school aged children,” Miller said.

Melvin is a homemaker and mother of three children. Her husband, Patrick Melvin, is a candidate for Maricopa City Council.

“My main motivation is to work to improve our schools,” Melvin said. “I want to make a positive change. All of my children are grown up now, but I’ve always had a passion to be a part of the school system and this is my opportunity to give back.”

Schrader has worked in higher education for five years with the Princeton Review and University of Phoenix.

“I’m a parent and I want my kids to attend the schools here in Maricopa,” Schrader said. “I have been working in college readiness for three years working with some of the best schools and programs, and I think the high school and the district can become one of the best in the state.”

Sheppard is a former professional basketball player and owner of TPA Hoops, a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching basketball skills and spiritual awareness. Like Melvin, her husband Nicholas is running for City Council.

Knorr, a lobbyist for Western Growers Association, is a shoe-in to continue her service on the volunteer board.

***ADVERTISEMENT***“I’ve enjoyed my last year serving on the board,” Knorr said. “I’ve learned a lot and I love the progress we are making. I hope to be re-elected to the board and continue my focus of getting more money in the schools and improving every child’s experience.”

There is no primary election for the school board. The 2015 board will be decided at the Nov. 4 general election.