Ballotpedia: Donna Lewis

Blog for Arizona: Dr. Donna Lewis Interview

Donna is from Arizona. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University, a master’s degree from the University of Arizona, and a doctorate in educational leadership from George Washington University. She has 3 sons.

Donna has worked as superintendent of the Creighton and Cave Creek Unified School Districts and as assistant superintendent at both districts. Her earlier positions include assistant superintendent at the Arizona Department of Education and director of middle school leadership at Tucson Unified School District.

Donna Lewis’s campaign for school board member is her first run for public office.

Opposes efforts to ban books and impose discriminatory policies affecting LGBTQ+ students.

- Opposes efforts to ban books and impose discriminatory policies affecting LGBTQ+ students.

School Curriculum

Candidate website

Believes in collaborating with fellow board members to protect tax dollars, property values, school assets, and community children.

Opposes proposed cuts to Title One funding, which supports underserved students, arguing that such cuts would worsen educational disparities.

- Believes in collaborating with fellow board members to protect tax dollars, property values, school assets, and community children.
- Opposes proposed cuts to Title One funding, which supports underserved students, arguing that such cuts would worsen educational disparities.

School Facilities & Resources

As of June 25, 2024, Donna Lewis’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Student Wellbeing

Supports expanding Proposition 123 to increase teacher salaries but has concerns about relying on state land trust funds.

- Supports expanding Proposition 123 to increase teacher salaries but has concerns about relying on state land trust funds.

Teachers

Believes in addressing the needs of special needs students, students lacking home support, and high-achieving students when making board decisions.

- Believes in addressing the needs of special needs students, students lacking home support, and high-achieving students when making board decisions.

Access to Education

LinkedIn

Donna Lewis

Donna is originally from Arizona. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University, a master’s degree from the University of Arizona, and a doctorate in educational leadership from George Washington University. She has three sons.

Donna has served as superintendent of Creighton and Cave Creek Unified School Districts, and as assistant superintendent at both districts. Her earlier positions include assistant superintendent at the Arizona Department of Education and director of middle school leadership at Tucson Unified School District.

Donna Lewis’s campaign for the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) Governing Board is her first run for public office.

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

Donna Lewis has served as Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent for Cave Creek Unified School District and Creighton Unified School District. She began her career as a classroom teacher and gifted specialist, followed by roles as a principal for elementary, middle, and high schools.

Believes continuous examination of SUSD’s management structure, organizational practices, and budgetary priorities is essential for making informed decisions about neighborhood schools.

Supports child wellbeing through volunteer work on override and bond committees and fundraising for school foundations.

Supports parental involvement in their children's education.

Believes in maintaining the excellence of SUSD.

Believes parents are "vital" to a successful school district.

Believes parents know their children best and supports their input in educational decisions.

Believes that "through authentic collaboration and a willingness to 'dare' that ALL students can achieve any goal they desire..."

Ballotpedia, Drew Hassler

Drew was born and raised in the Arcadia neighborhood of Arizona. He earned his bachelor's degree from Arizona State University. He lives with his wife Chelsea and their 2 children.

Drew Hassler's campaign for school board member is his first run for public office. 

Candidate Questionnaire: Drew Hassler

Believes in focusing on "classic academic curricula" instead of "activism and political ideologies" to grow student enrollment.

Believes public schools have strayed from the primary goal of educating students.

Opposes allowing cell phones in the classroom.

Supports sex education on the condition that students can opt out.

- Believes in focusing on "classic academic curricula" instead of "activism and political ideologies" to grow student enrollment.
- Believes public schools have strayed from the primary goal of educating students.
- Opposes allowing cell phones in the classroom.
- Supports sex education on the condition that students can opt out.

Supports having school resource offices in K-12 schools.

- Supports having school resource offices in K-12 schools.

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

Believes in retaining teachers by investing in their classrooms and providing more support and higher pay.

- Believes in retaining teachers by investing in their classrooms and providing more support and higher pay.

Believes public schools must offer a high quality education to compete with private and charter schools.

- Believes public schools must offer a high quality education to compete with private and charter schools.

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Drew Hassler

Drew was born and raised in the Arcadia neighborhood of Arizona and attended Arcadia High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Arizona State University. He lives with his wife Chelsea and their 2 children.

Drew Hassler's campaign for school board is his first run for public office. 

Drew was born and raised in the Arcadia neighborhood of Arizona and attended schools within the Scottsdale Unified School District. He earned his bachelor's degree from Arizona State University. He is married to his wife Chelsea, and they have 2 children.

Drew Hassler is a local business owner within the Scottsdale Unified School District boundary.

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

Believes in "transparency and accountability" in SUSD.

Believes every decision, policy, and dollar spent should focus on "students' best interests and protection."

Believes children should be the priority.

Supports parental involvement in school governance.

Believes in creating the best community for all families and residents through local business ownership and community involvement.

Supports strong public schools in Arizona.

Supports parental, employee, and community involvement in educational and administrative decisions.

Believes children deserve "a quality education and a safe environment in which to learn."

Believes in providing a quality educational product to ensure public schools are a top choice for families in a state with robust school choice.

Believes public schools should be "pillars of our community" providing an "excellent education experience."

Ballotpedia, Gretchen Jacobs

Gretchen earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California and her law degree from Santa Clara University. She serves on several boards, including Junior League, First Things First Scottsdale Region, and Autism Care & Treatment Today. She lives with her husband Tom and 2 daughters.

Gretchen is the founder and president of Arizona Governmental Affairs. She has previously worked as an attorney. 

Gretchen Jacobs's campaign for school board member is her first run for public office. 

Advocates for the needs of students who learn differently, including those who are gifted or have special needs.

- Advocates for the needs of students who learn differently, including those who are gifted or have special needs.

Believes in repurposing existing funds to prioritize increasing teacher salaries.

Believes in repurposing existing funds to prioritize increasing teacher salaries to increase retention and recruitment rates. 

Supports prioritizing funding for classrooms and resources that will benefit students and teachers.

- Believes in repurposing existing funds to prioritize increasing teacher salaries to increase retention and recruitment rates. 
- Supports prioritizing funding for classrooms and resources that will benefit students and teachers.

Supports background checks to ensure student safety.

- Supports background checks to ensure student safety.

Supports revising SUSD's policy on teacher seniority to recognize breaks for child care without penalizing educators' pay and status.

Supports higher pay for teachers over administrators.

Believes the highest-paid employees should include teachers instead of just administrators. 

Opposes mandating all Arizona school districts to join the state health insurance plan.

- Supports revising SUSD's policy on teacher seniority to recognize breaks for child care without penalizing educators' pay and status.
- Believes the highest-paid employees should include teachers instead of just administrators. 
- Opposes mandating all Arizona school districts to join the state health insurance plan.

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

Gretchen Jacobs

Gretchen is the Founder and President of Arizona Governmental Affairs. She has previously worked as an attorney. 

Gretchen Jacobs' campaign for school board is her first run for public office. 

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

Believes Arizona universities could obtain better health insurance at a lower cost without state health insurance program mandates.

Believes community connection enhances understanding, support, and collaboration.

Supports Arizona State University and University of Arizona's exit from the state health insurance plan to save $30 million annually.

Believes in community involvement through hosting neighborhood meet-and-greets, word-of-mouth, and donating to support campaign goals.

Believes school districts should have the option to join the state health insurance plan.

Believes the state health insurance trust fund should not be used to cover state budget deficits, as it leads to higher premiums.

Believes teachers are "most critical to a school’s success."

Believes recruiting and retaining teachers is "paramount" and supports various strategies to achieve this goal.

Supports providing "meaningful support for teachers."

Supports access to quality education for all students.

Believes access to education is crucial for children.

Candidate Questionnaire: Jeanne Beasley

Ballotpedia, Jeanne Beasley

Jeanne earned her bachelor's degree in paralegal studies. She volunteers with the district's Audit Committee. She lives with her husband and 3 children. 

Jeanne Beasley's campaign for school board member is her first run for public office.

Believes in removing "unnecessary resources and programs" that do not focus on core education.

Believes cellphone use in schools is harmful but supports working with parents and administrators to come up with a common sense policy.

Supports refocusing on and improving the quality of education to prevent declining student enrollment.

Believes addressing declining reading, writing, and math scores should be the district's top priority.

Supports sex education that is opt in, factually accurate, age appropriate, and in line with state standards.

- Believes in removing "unnecessary resources and programs" that do not focus on core education.
- Believes cellphone use in schools is harmful but supports working with parents and administrators to come up with a common sense policy.
- Supports refocusing on and improving the quality of education to prevent declining student enrollment.
- Believes addressing declining reading, writing, and math scores should be the district's top priority.
- Supports sex education that is opt in, factually accurate, age appropriate, and in line with state standards.

Believes in using budget funds to promote academic achievement.

Believes in improving transparency on district expenses.

Supports providing classrooms with necessary educational equipment.

- Believes in using budget funds to promote academic achievement.
- Believes in improving transparency on district expenses.
- Supports providing classrooms with necessary educational equipment.
- Supports having school resource offices in K-12 schools.

Supports "student discipline when necessary."

Supports student discipline when necessary. 

Supports training teachers and staff to protect students to improve school safety.

Supports strong communication with parents when safety issues occur.

- Supports student discipline when necessary. 
- Supports training teachers and staff to protect students to improve school safety.
- Supports strong communication with parents when safety issues occur.

Supports ensuring teachers and support staff are appropriately compensated.

Plans to retain excellent teachers and staff to ensure academic excellence.

- Supports ensuring teachers and support staff are appropriately compensated.
- Plans to retain excellent teachers and staff to ensure academic excellence.

Believes in providing top educational options to ensure families feel confident in public schools.

Believes in providing top educational options to ensure families feel confident choosing public schools over other options. 

- Believes in providing top educational options to ensure families feel confident choosing public schools over other options. 

Jeanne Beasley

Jeanne earned her bachelor's degree in paralegal studies. She volunteers with the District's Audit Committee. She lives with her husband and 3 children. 

Jeanne Beasley's campaign for school board is her first run for public office.

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

Jeanne Beasley is a litigation paralegal.

Supports approving "appropriate and proven curriculum for all students."

Believes in ensuring safety and security on every campus.

Believes safety and security should be prioritized on every campus in SUSD.

Believes in advocating for strong communication between SUSD and parents when safety issues arise.

Believes in making a "legitimate difference" in child wellbeing through community involvement and educational oversight.

Believes in retaining excellent teachers, staff, and administration.

Supports investing in training for teachers and staff to ensure safety for students and school personnel.

Believes in providing quality education to ensure a strong future employment candidate pool for the business community.

Promises to serve the students, families, employees, and taxpayers of the Scottsdale Unified School District.

Supports policies that enhance educational opportunities and address student needs.

Ballotpedia, Matthew Pittinsky

Matt is from Baldwin, New York. He earned his bachelor's degree from American University, his master's degree in education from Harvard University, and his doctorate in sociology of education from  Columbia University. He lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona, with his wife, Julie, and their 3 children.

Matt co-founded and led two global education technology companies. He has also served as a tenure track professor at Arizona State University and remains a visiting scholar there.

Matthew Pittinsky's campaign for school board member is his first run for public office.

Wants the school board to focus on education, not politics, when designing the curriculum.

- Wants the school board to focus on education, not politics, when designing the curriculum.

Believes in seeking "the most cost effective practices, ever respectful of our tax payers’ investment in our schools."

Believes artificial intelligence, mobile devices, social apps, and virtual reality are fundamentally changing classrooms and school communities, and supports proactive policies to address these changes.

- Believes in seeking "the most cost effective practices, ever respectful of our tax payers’ investment in our schools."
- Believes artificial intelligence, mobile devices, social apps, and virtual reality are fundamentally changing classrooms and school communities, and supports proactive policies to address these changes.

Believes SUSD must balance using technology while prioritizing student safety and privacy.

- Believes SUSD must balance using technology while prioritizing student safety and privacy.

Believes in respecting experienced educators when making decisions.

- Believes in respecting experienced educators when making decisions.

Supports advocating for the shared interests of parents, educators, business leaders, taxpayers, and other community constituencies.

Wants to reverse the decline in Scottsdale public school enrollment by identifying root causes and prioritizing high quality teachers, high student expectations, and a positive school culture.

- Supports advocating for the shared interests of parents, educators, business leaders, taxpayers, and other community constituencies.
- Wants to reverse the decline in Scottsdale public school enrollment by identifying root causes and prioritizing high quality teachers, high student expectations, and a positive school culture.

Matt Pittinsky

Matthew Pittinsky's campaign for Scottsdale school board is his first run for public office.

- Wants the school board to focus on education, not politics, when designing the curriculum.
- Promotes his experience as a local business owner in understanding the skills that employers seek from graduates.

Matt earned his bachelor's degree from American University, his master's degree in education from Harvard University, and his PhD in sociology of education from Teacher’s College at Columbia University. He lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona, with his wife, Julie, and their 3 children.

Matt Pittinsky co-founded and led two global education technology companies, Blackboard and Parchment. He has also served as a tenure track professor at Arizona State University and remains a visiting scholar there.

As of September 24, 2024, Matt Pittinsky’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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

Supports child wellbeing and has served on the boards of various non-profit and corporate organizations.

Supports child wellbeing through community involvement, school site council participation, and Cub Scouts volunteering.

Believes experience in education technology is crucial for understanding technology's impact on K-12 education.

Believes the Governing Board should support district leadership to ensure families choose and succeed in public schools.

Believes focusing on student success, teacher quality and retention, and fiscal accountability will enhance the community and attract future economic investment.

Believes a donation to his campaign is "an investment in our community, our schools, and our children."

Believes SUSD alumni possess the skills and character qualities sought by employers.

Believes understanding the needs of higher learning institutions is crucial for preparing students for future success.

Candidate Questionnaire: Mike Sharkey

Mike grew up in Albany, New York. He earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics from Lafayette College and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Arizona. He has lived in Scottsdale for 24 years. He is married with 2 children.  

Mike previously founded a higher education predictive analytics company that was later sold to a large software company. He currently works full-time at Arizona State University as executive director of data & analysis for ASU Enterprise Technology.

Mike Sharkey’s campaign for school board member is his first run for public office.

Supports the inclusion of sex education in the school curriculum.

- Supports the inclusion of sex education in the school curriculum.

Believes reduced school funding impacts home values.

Believes "voters should have the decision whether to pass an override or not."

- Believes reduced school funding impacts home values.
- Supports district funding overrides.
- Believes "voters should have the decision whether to pass an override or not."

Supports retaining school resource offices on high school and middle school campuses.

- Supports retaining school resource offices on high school and middle school campuses.

As of June 25, 2024, Mike Sharkey’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mike Sharkey

Mike grew up in Albany, New York.  He received his undergraduate degree in mathematics from Lafayette College and a masters in business administration from the University of Arizona.  He has been a homeowner in Scottsdale for 24 years.  He is married with 2 children.  

Mike previously founded a higher education predictive analytics company that was later sold to a large software company.  He currently works full-time at Arizona State University as Executive Director of Data & Analysis for ASU Enterprise Technology.

Mike Sharkey’s campaign for School Board Member in Scottsdale Unified School District in Arizona is his first run for public office.

- Believes reduced school funding impacts home values.
- Supports district funding overrides.
- Believes voters should have the decision whether to pass an override or not.

- Supports retaining school resource offices on high school and middle school campuses

- 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, Scottsdale Unified

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Arizona School Board Member, Scottsdale Unified

Election results

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School Curriculum

School Facilities & Resources

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Teachers

Access to Education

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