Supports greater accountability from the school board in terms of its resources allocated and decisions made.

Believes that school district must be accountable to the taxpayers.

Supports routine evaluations of school performance using objective measures to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

- Supports greater accountability from the school board in terms of its resources allocated and decisions made.
- Believes that school district must be accountable to the taxpayers.
- Supports routine evaluations of school performance using objective measures to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

School System Budget

Believes school district should be transparent with parents about  discipline against faculty, staff, and students.

- Supports a school dress code.
- Believes school district should be transparent with parents about  discipline against faculty, staff, and students.

School Safety & Discipline

Taylor grew up outside of Portland, Oregon. He earned his bachelor's degree in science from Brigham Young University. He and his wife have 2 children and currently live in the Phoenix Valley area.

Taylor has as an air traffic controller and as a paid tutor to middle and high school students. 

Taylor Francis's campaign for school board member in Higley Unified School District is his first run for public office.

Opposes teachers discussing their own political beliefs in the classroom.

Believes curriculum should focus on math, science, civics, history, literature, and the arts.

Believes that while schools "play a vital role in fostering healthy societal habits," they should not seek to create social reform.

Advocates for school board to provide students greater support and have increased expectations for better performance on standardized testing.

- Opposes teachers discussing their own political beliefs in the classroom.
- Believes curriculum should focus on math, science, civics, history, literature, and the arts.
- Believes that while schools "play a vital role in fostering healthy societal habits," they should not seek to create social reform.
- Advocates for school board to provide students greater support and have increased expectations for better performance on standardized testing.

School Curriculum

As of September 18, 2024, D Taylor Francis’s website did not contain information on this issue.

School Facilities & Resources

Supports creating a culture in the district that leads to communication, cooperation, and trust between parents and teachers.

Supports giving teachers the resources and support they need to provide highest level of instruction.

Believes that supporting administrators is the way to support teachers.

- Supports creating a culture in the district that leads to communication, cooperation, and trust between parents and teachers.
- Supports giving teachers the resources and support they need to provide highest level of instruction.
- Believes that supporting administrators is the way to support teachers.

Teachers

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D Taylor Francis

Taylor grew up outside of Portland, Oregon. He earned his bachelors degree in science from Brigham Young University.  Taylor and his wife have 2 children and currently live in the Phoenix Valley area.

Taylor Francis's run for school board member in Higley Unified School District is his first run for public office.

Taylor grew up outside of Portland, Oregon. He attended Brigham Young University where he studied Biophysics, Logic, Business, and Philosophy.  Taylor and his wife have two children and currently live in the Phoenix Valley area.

Taylor worked for several years as a paid tutor to middle and high school pupils. 

Student Wellbeing

Access to Education

Candidate Questionnaire: Kathleen Richards

Kathleen lives in Gilbert, Arizona, with her husband and 2 children.

Kathleen is an experienced teaching artist and nonprofit administrator. She currently serves as a substitute teacher through ESI and has worked in education for over a decade. Additionally, she has spent several years in professional fundraising from both grants and individuals.

Kathleen Richards’s campaign for school board member is her first run for public office.

Candidate website

Believes in offering curricula that reflect the knowledge and needs of 2024 and beyond, and emphasizes teaching students to be responsible and safe technology users.

Advocates for teaching students to be responsible and safe technology users.

Believes in offering curricula that reflect the knowledge and needs of 2024 and beyond.

Advocates for a clear, and universally enforced policy regarding cell phones on campuses.

Believes students should learn to use AI responsibly and well.

- Advocates for teaching students to be responsible and safe technology users.
- Believes in offering curricula that reflect the knowledge and needs of 2024 and beyond.
- Advocates for a clear, and universally enforced policy regarding cell phones on campuses.
- Believes students should learn to use AI responsibly and well.
- Supports HUSD parental rights policies.

Supports a budget continuation to provide funding for the district.

- Supports a budget continuation to provide funding for the district.

Facebook

Advocates for more parent accountability in the schooling of their children.

- Advocates for more parent accountability in the schooling of their children.

Advocates for teacher retention initiatives.

Advocates for easing the burden for teachers who spend their own money on school supplies.

- Advocates for teacher retention initiatives.
- Advocates for easing the burden for teachers who spend their own money on school supplies.

Supports data-driven student retention initiatives.

Believes Arizona has not figured out how to make voucher systems work for students and families.

- Supports data-driven student retention initiatives.
- Believes Arizona has not figured out how to make voucher systems work for students and families.

Kathleen Richards

Kathleen Richards lives in Gilbert, Arizona, with her husband and 2 children.

Kathleen Richards is an experienced teaching artist and nonprofit administrator. She currently serves as a substitute teacher through ESI and has worked in education for over a decade. Additionally, she has spent several years in professional fundraising from both grants and individuals.

Kathleen Richard’s campaign for School Board Member in Higly Unified School District is her first run for public office.

- Supports budget overrides and bonds to provide funding for the district.

As of September 23, 2024, Kathleen Richards’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes protecting schools is a community effort and encourages public involvement in safety measures.

Believes in supporting child well-being through community involvement, and as a volunteer with the HTA Drama Club, has been recognized for service at HTA and Cooley ECDC.

Believes retaining the best teachers is a top priority.

Believes teachers should feel "respected and valued" and supports understanding reasons for teacher attrition to improve retention.

Believes in the enduring role of teachers in education.

Endorsed by the Higley Education Association, the professional organization representing Higley Unified School District teachers and staff.

Believes their experience as a teacher and nonprofit administrator makes them "the most qualified" to guide schools into the future.

Believes in the importance of experienced educators, saying, "I currently serve as a substitute teacher through ESI and have worked in education for over a decade."

Believes maintaining academic excellence requires intention.

Believes "our students deserve the best possible education."

Believes quality academics are crucial for student success.

Believes in prioritizing funding for public schools over tax breaks for private school vouchers.

Supports access to public schools and accepts donations to fund campaign materials.

Believes Arizona's diverse educational options, including district, charter, and private schools, require understanding family preferences and reasons for student transfers to maintain competitiveness and improve district success.

Supports public education and opposes school vouchers.

Higley Unified School District Governing Board Candidates

Supports budget overrides and bonds if all current resources are being managed efficiently.

- Supports budget overrides and bonds if all current resources are being managed efficiently.

Supports retaining school resource officers on campuses.

Supports a balanced cell phone usage policy that allows for limited use during instructional time while ensuring that phones are used responsibly.

- Supports retaining school resource officers on campuses.
- Supports a balanced cell phone usage policy that allows for limited use during instructional time while ensuring that phones are used responsibly.

Marc has 3 children. He has previously volunteered for the Higley Unified School District. 

Marc is a financial literacy specialist.  He previously served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. 

Marc Garcia’s campaign for school board member is his first run for public office.

Supports a transparent review process for school reading materials, where materials are evaluated for their educational value, appropriateness, and compliance with Arizona statutes such as A.R.S. 13-3506 and A.R.S. 15-120.03, outline specific guidelines for what constitutes objectionable or explicit content in school settings.

- Supports a transparent review process for school reading materials, where materials are evaluated for their educational value, appropriateness, and compliance with Arizona statutes such as A.R.S. 13-3506 and A.R.S. 15-120.03, outline specific guidelines for what constitutes objectionable or explicit content in school settings.

Supports school vouchers, school choice, and the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program.

- Supports school vouchers, school choice, and the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program.

Supports allocating more district funds directly toward classroom supplies to reduce the financial burden on teachers.

- Supports allocating more district funds directly toward classroom supplies to reduce the financial burden on teachers.

Marc Garcia

Marc is a Financial Literacy Specialist.  He previously served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. 

Marc Garcia’s campaign for school board member in Higley Unified School District is his first run for public office.

Ballotpedia, Sara Jarman

Sara earned her bachelor's degree in applied science from Utah Tech University. She is married and has 5 children. 

Sara currently works as a holistic healthcare practitioner. 

Sara Jarman's campaign for school board member is her first run for public office. 

Opposes "pornographic material" in classrooms.

Believes in safeguarding students’ innocence and vulnerability through age-appropriate curriculum.

Believes in safeguarding students’ innocence and vulnerability through an age-appropriate curriculum.

Believes in increasing parental involvement in education.

Believes in promoting rigorous curriculum development, enhancing teacher training, and refining student assessment methods to ensure every student is challenged and well-prepared with critical skills for college and careers.

Believes in promoting rigorous curriculum development and refining student assessment methods to prepare students for success. 

- Opposes "pornographic material" in classrooms.
- Believes in safeguarding students’ innocence and vulnerability through an age-appropriate curriculum.
- Believes in increasing parental involvement in education.
- Believes in promoting rigorous curriculum development and refining student assessment methods to prepare students for success. 

Supports reducing unnecessary spending and prioritizing funding for classroom resources, student programs, and support staff.

Plans to make school board operations more accessible through regular reports on spending, performance metrics, and decision-making processes.

- Supports reducing unnecessary spending and prioritizing funding for classroom resources, student programs, and support staff.
- Plans to make school board operations more accessible through regular reports on spending, performance metrics, and decision-making processes.

As of September 18, 2024, Sara Jarman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Sara Jarman

Sara currently works as a Holistic Healthcare Practitioner. 

Sara Jarman's campaign for school board is her first run for public office. 

- Opposes "pornographic material" in classrooms.
- Believes in safeguarding students’ innocence and vulnerability through an age-appropriate curriculum.
- Believes in increasing parental involvement in education.
- Believes in promoting rigorous curriculum development and refining student assessment methods to prepare students for success. 
- Believes in prioritizing core subjects to ensure academic excellence.

Sara is married and has 5 children. She earned an applied science degree from Utah Tech.

Sara Jarman is a Holistic Healthcare Practitioner since 2014 and has experience in property management from 2018. She has also worked as a Special Education Teacher Assistant in 2001.

As of September 23, 2024, Sara Jarman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to prioritize funding for classroom resources, support staff, and programs that benefit students' education.

Believes it is important to ensure taxpayer dollars are managed responsibly and that schools are responsive to the needs of students, parents, and the community.

Believes fiscal responsibility is crucial for the sustainable and efficient operation of schools, and is committed to ensuring every dollar is spent wisely and effectively.

Supports submitting arguments for and against the bond.

Has experience with Quickbooks and budgeting.

Supports the Higley School Board's decision to approve both a bond and override for the November 2024 ballot, indicating a commitment to enhancing school facilities and funding.

Believes Common Core has contributed to a significant increase in youth mental health issues.

Volunteered for youth church programs in 2006.

Believes in ensuring child safety and well-being, as demonstrated by the arrest of a Higley High teacher.

Believes in fostering a secure learning environment for children by being vigilant, proactive, and transparent, ensuring parents feel confident in their child's safety.

Served as Secretary for a neighborhood co-op in 2019.

Believes in protecting child wellbeing and ensuring safe environments, as evidenced by the candidate's website, which features a section titled "Teacher Grooming Multiple Students," highlighting concerns about inappropriate behavior in educational settings.

Believes academic excellence and rigor are fundamental to a thriving education system and supports prioritizing core academic subjects while upholding high learning standards.

Believes in making Higley Unified School District the top choice for families by ensuring excellence in education.

Believes in making a "meaningful difference in the education and well-being of our students and families" through community support and shared goals.

Supports increased parental involvement, academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability within the district.

Wants to create an environment where "academic achievement is celebrated, and students are equipped in practical wisdom to thrive in the future."

Believes in using "proven methods" for student well-being, opposing "modern unproven theories" in education.

Believes in the importance of parental involvement in education.

As of June 25, 2024, Scott Glover did not have a website or any information online.

Ballotpedia, Scott Glover

Scott holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond and a graduate degree from The Ohio State University. 

Scott Glover previously served as a Higley Unified School District board member. He was elected to this position in 2017 and served for 1 term. Scott ran for State Senate for District 12 in 2014, but did not win. 

GILBERT SUN NEWS, Mascot statue riles some Higley board members

Voted in support of the Higley High School mascot, motivated by the booster club's plans to cover associated costs, not "Higley Unified tax money..."

- Voted in support of the Higley High School mascot, motivated by the booster club's plans to cover associated costs, not "Higley Unified tax money..."

Scott Glover

Scott Glover previously served as a Higley Unified School District Board Member. He was elected to this position in 2017 and served for 1 term. Scott ran for State Senate for District 12 in 2014, but did not win. 

As of June 25, 2024, Scott Glover did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

- Voted in support of the Higley High School mascot, saying his vote was shaped by the booster club's plans to cover associated costs, not "Higley Unified tax money..."

As of September 18, 2024, Tiffany Shultz did not have a website.

Tiffany Shultz

Tiffany earned her bachelor's degree from Arizona State University.  She is married and has 2 children.  

Tiffany Shultz is a current governing board member of the Higley Unified School District (HUSD).

Shultz received her B.A. from Arizona State University.  She is married and has two children.  

Tiffany Shultz is a current Governing Board Member of HUSD.

- School board members set district policy, encourage parent involvement, establish budgets, and determine educational goals for your local school district.
- This position is voluntary. School board members are not paid a salary.

Arizona School Board Member, Higley Unified

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Arizona School Board Member, Higley Unified

Election results

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