Five candidates are in the running for three seats on the Fountain Hills Unified School District Governing Board, including Karl Gaardsmoe, Wendy Barnard, Edith Stock, Judy Rutkowski and Robert Gomez.

Leading up to the Nov. 4 election, these candidates are taking part in a Times series highlighting questions pertaining to FHUSD and its future.

This being the final week before the election, candidates were given the opportunity to address readers on topics of their own choosing.

Edith Stock

The Board of Education advocates for students, sets district goals, establishes policies, monitors expenditures and provides accountability to the public.

These responsibilities can best be met through a commitment to collegiality and respect with fellow board members. This does not exclude healthy, vigorous discussions of issues and sincere votes cast, win or lose.

The board should be a model of respectful collaboration that builds confidence and sets the tone for their relationship with the community.

An issue all candidates addressed in these forums dealt with how to make the Fountain Hills Unified District so competitively attractive that students and dedicated teachers would be literally knocking on our door to join the district.

Two incidents involving staff have recently caused widespread, even national, negative press and community distrust. A collaborative, trusting relationship among all participants would have gone far to ease the dire results that now must be faced.

Having worked in two large comprehensive high schools, an elementary school, a small alternative school, plus a school for gifted as both a teacher and administrator, I have been involved in fashioning policies that foster the type of relationships that encourage staff to work together to provide a joyous atmosphere of learning for students, teachers and communication with the community.

Contentious atmospheres tend not to thrive where openness and trust exists.

Wendy Barnard

I want to thank many people for their support over the past few months. It was a difficult decision to run for School Board, but I am glad that I did.

I am running for one simple reason -- and that is to put children’s interests first. I am not running for political reasons, I’m not running for a personal agenda, I am running to better our School District.

I am a parent and a volunteer; I walk through the hallways of the schools and know many of the children; I speak with teachers and staff on a regular basis; and I know many of the families with school-age children in this town.

I do not expect to join the School Board and micro-manage the district. However, what I can bring to the board is my knowledge of educational research and policy from my position as an educational researcher and university professor.

I understand data as it relates to test scores, state letter grades and state budgetary requirements. I have first-hand experience teaching in a classroom, managing educational projects and seeking grant funds.

I am humbled and appreciative that the Fountain Hills Education Association has endorsed me. I have worked hard since moving to the community to gain the trust and respect of the School District through my actions.

One must be willing and able to work on behalf of the district and provide solutions that enhance our district, and that is what I plan to do should I be elected.

Karl Gaardsmoe

I made a choice to be a Governing Board member because I felt that I could make a difference and, since my appointment, I have worked diligently on behalf of our students and to support our great teachers and staff as I carry out the responsibilities of the office with integrity.

Once in a while the board is faced with tough decisions. While many of our conclusions are unanimous, it is not uncommon for controversial matters to result in a split vote. I trust that each member votes his/her conscience based on their own diligent, independent review of all of the facts, evidence and information available.

In recent days it was written “the School Board should have considered the consequences of its actions.” That demonstrates a lack of integrity. Someone in a position of public trust should consider only the facts and their responsibility. To imagine living in a town where leadership was worried more about their own personal and political “friends” than truth and justice is simply ethically repulsive.

The Governing Board is non-partisan and I am a registered Independent. Governance is a sacred trust between the elected official and their constituents. I promise that I am not willing to make quid pro quo deals nor will I support or reject votes based on ideology, special interests or for personal and partisan gain.

As your elected Governing Board member I will be collaborative, prepared, impartial and courageously defend ethical standards, my integrity and my duty.

Robert Gomez

A vote for Bob Gomez will bring educational experience, knowledge and problem solving to the Fountain Hills Unified District School Board. My interest in students and their education has been my mission in life. I am open, trustworthy and will work with others to bring an outstanding school system to Fountain Hills.

*Experience as a teacher, coach, high school principal, and Superintendent of Schools.

*Extensive knowledge of school and district budgets and establishing priorities with openness and trust.

*Active listener, consensus builder and in-depth seeker of avenues for improvement.

*Supporter of the arts, music, foreign language, and special needs programs.

*A curriculum innovator and experienced teacher trainer and evaluator.

*Will work to enhance partnership of community members, school faculty, advisory committees and city council.

*Advanced Placement Programs should offer challenging advanced curriculum and application for future expansion at a college or university level.

*Will establish a speakers’ bureau to utilize learned retirees in our district to enhance subjects with technical knowledge and increase application of education in the real world.

Education is not a memorization of facts, but an application of learning that will not be forgotten. When all the shareholders participate, greatness can be achieved.

Judy Rutkowski

As you consider your choice for the Fountain Hills School District Governing Board, I ask for your support and your vote.

I believe a strong education is one of the most important gifts and tools we can give to our children. It allows them to live up to their full potential, can lift them out of poverty, and enables them to become productive citizens. It is the foundation for a successful life.

I want to help the children of Fountain Hills develop strong skills in reading, writing, math, science, our nation’s history, and have the opportunity to participate in music, arts and sports.

As a parent of one current FHHS student and one recent graduate, both of whom attended Fountain Hills Schools since first grade, I have heard the student’s perspective. Being a volunteer in several classrooms has helped me learn part of the teacher’s perspective.

As a volunteer teacher at my church, I’ve seen some of the challenges that teachers can face. As a school nurse (for several years in Fountain Hills), I gained insight into student/parent/staff interactions.

Our district must attract and retain excellent teachers, balancing competitive teacher salaries with administration costs. We need to hold teachers accountable to local standards, making sure that they deliver skilled, consistent instruction to our students. Every tax dollar should be spent wisely, with students’ education being given first priority.

We should improve communication and collaboration with parents and the community. Together, we must build upon our strengths and solve our problems.