With no other challengers stepping forward, it looks like Fountain Hills Unified School District Governing Board incumbents Dr. C.T. Wright and Jill Reed are set to continue their service within the local district for another four years.

Both Wright and Reed’s terms on the School Board expire at the end of this year. The deadline to apply for the two seats passed on Sept. 15 and, with only Wright and Reed submitting petitions, there will be no need to have the seats up for grabs during the upcoming general election. Both incumbents are expected to be sworn in for their new four-year terms at the start of 2017.

Reed is currently wrapping up her first term on the School Board and is serving as president for 2016.

Reed said she believes a successful school district has involved community members, parents and “people who want to put kids first.” She said she wanted to make sure she was an integral part of her own kids’ education and felt she had a strong background, having served on the PTO board, to bring her knowledge and a “parental aspect” to the board.

“My goal is always to make our district the district of choice,” Reed said. “That means being the best academically, offering programs and electives that make people want to come here whether they are part of our district or not.”

Reed said open enrollment is great, but it can also be a detriment to districts.

“So I want to make sure that our kids want to stay here and that those who are surrounding us want to come here,” she continued.

As for Wright, he began serving back in 2006. Currently serving as a Board member, he has also held positions as vice president and president of the local School Board.

“I’m interested in serving again because we have a great board and we have a great district,” Wright said. “However, there are still some things that we must achieve in the future. I feel with my experience on the board and my experience in education over five decades, I can help move our district forward.”

Wright said he believes FHUSD is small but great, but there’s always room for improvement.

Looking ahead, Wright said he’s excited to be involved in the completion of FHUSD’s articulation plan, connecting pre-kindergarten through 12th grade with common goals, procedures, practices, etc.

“All of the dots will connect and we will be one unified district, rather than each school standing independent,” Wright said.

He said he is also eager to see the local district’s partnership with EVIT move forward, something that could bring additional vocational training opportunities to students right here in Fountain Hills.

“That’s something that is needed and could be a dream come true for the district,” Wright added. “Things like that will help keep Fountain Hills Unified on the map.”