Davita Solter
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Davita Solter ran for election for an at-large seat of the Peoria Unified School District in Arizona. She lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Solter completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Solter's professional experience includes working as a teacher, coach, advisor, assistant principal, and principal. She earned a master's degree from Northern Arizona University in 1980.[1]
Elections
2020
See also: Peoria Unified School District, Arizona, elections (2020)
General election
General election for Peoria Unified School District, At-large (3 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Peoria Unified School District, At-large on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Rebecca Hill (Nonpartisan) | 14.5 | 35,100 | |
| ✔ |  | David Sandoval (Nonpartisan) | 14.1 | 34,196 |
| ✔ |  | Bill Sorensen (Nonpartisan)  | 13.3 | 32,298 |
 | Linda Busam (Nonpartisan) | 13.2 | 32,008 | |
| Kirk Hobbs (Nonpartisan) | 12.7 | 30,792 | ||
 | Davita Solter (Nonpartisan) | 9.3 | 22,567 | |
| Kacie Franklin (Nonpartisan) | 8.8 | 21,434 | ||
| CJ Williams (Nonpartisan) | 7.3 | 17,687 | ||
| Devon Updegraff-Day (Nonpartisan) | 6.3 | 15,307 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 837 | ||
| Total votes: 242,226 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
To view Solter's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.
2018
General election
General election for Peoria Unified School District, At-large (2 seats)
Incumbent Beverly Pingerelli and Cory Underhill defeated Davita Solter and Michael James Gard in the general election for Peoria Unified School District, At-large on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Beverly Pingerelli (Nonpartisan) | 33.5 | 34,795 |
| ✔ |  | Cory Underhill (Nonpartisan) | 24.9 | 25,878 |
| Davita Solter (Nonpartisan) | 22.2 | 23,045 | |
| Michael James Gard (Nonpartisan) | 19.5 | 20,271 | ||
| Total votes: 103,989 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Davita Solter completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Solter's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am an Arizona native who has lived in the West Valley all my life. I spent 31 years working in the Peoria Unified School District as a teacher and administrator at seven different schools from 1981-2012. Since retiring in 2012, I have worked in the Glendale Elementary School District, first as a Family Service Advocate and now for the last six years as the Wellness Program Specialist. My son is a 2009 graduate of Cactus High School, where he completed the automotive technology program through CTE, went onto Central Arizona College to completed the John Deere certification and has spent the last 8 years working for RDO company. My passion is service to others and my community and education. I volunteer at five different PUSD schools as well as being a member of the Glendale Ambassadors, Glendale Arizona Historical Society, Glendale High School Alumni Association and the City of Glendale Personnel Board Chairperson. I will work diligently to be the best school board member possible, but because of the experience I already have in education and the school district, I can hit the ground running.
- School Safety-We must provide the necessary tools that are needed to each party to feel safe on campus.
- Financial Sustainability-Working toward financial sustainability can be done by making sure that our District is working within its budget; looking for ways to offer more financial assistance to our staff; encouraging parents to keep their children in our schools or return to our schools from charter schools
- Equal Access to Educational Supplies/Needs-We must find ways to assist those who need help by providing the right technology and hot spots for internet access. One size doesn't fit all as there are those who need to be in class, such as our special education students as online/virtual learning is not appropriate
I am personally passionate about providing the best possible education for all students, no matter what that looks like. With the recent pandemic, we learned there is a huge digital divide with our students. We need to make sure all the students have the same tools that will make them successful. With this area comes the way schools are funded. We have to look at a different way to fund salaries, benefits, buildings, transportation and every other part of education. It is difficult for schools to keep going our for bond or override elections for funding. Finally, I am passionate about making sure that educators are held to the highest standards and respect.
My role models have been my parents who worked a great deal and gave of themselves to others. I tend to do the same, working many hours a day and always looking for ways to give back to our community. I grew up in a Jewish home where two concepts were taught to me. One is Tzedakah, which means charitable giving, and the other is Tikun Olam, which mean repair the world. I was taught to give back whenever possible and always to help others. I am very involved in the community, volunteering for many organizations and schools. I find the role of a school board member to align with these principles, and I know my parents would be proud.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and The Disney Way by Bill Capodagli and Lynn Jackson are two book I have used in several organizations. I believe in leaving a place better than I found it. Both of these books have guided me in this philosophy.
An elected official should be held to high standards, representing the organization he/she is elected to. Community members should be able to communicate regularly with feedback from the elected official. An elected official should be honest, a good listener, articulate, and informed. Every official cannot know everything but can learn. And as a school board member, it is important to work as a team member. There are five individuals who are members of PUSD's school board so working with others and valuing their opinions will be crucial. I may not always agree with everything my colleagues say, but they have a right to be heard.
I am dedicated, determined and dependable. I have held leadership positions since high school. My years as an educator will provide a different perspective to this position. I work part time so I will have time to attend meetings, prepare for them and be available to activities and events.
Doing what is best for the 36,000 students in the Peoria Unified School District is first and foremost. Being prepared and attending meetings will be one responsibility that all members must do so the board may run well. Following and abiding to the set code of conduct is critical. Being an advocate for public school education is another responsibility; this can be in the community and at the state legislature. T
I always want to leave a place better than I found it. Doing services for others brings me great joy as this was what was instilled in me from my parents.
The first historical event I can remember was when John F. Kennedy was assassinated, when I was five years old. I vividly remember my mother crying while watching the television. Her pain was palpable and it just made me want to hug her. There was this pall of disbelief for weeks.
Throughout high school and college, I had many part time jobs, helping with expenses and tuition. I have worked as a waitress, server, newspaper delivery person, silk screener, swap meet vendor, jewelry maker, journalist and more. But my first "real" job was as a teacher in the Peoria Unified School District, starting in 1981. I worked in the school district for 31 years, moving into administration after my sixth year of teaching. I retired in 2012 having been at seven different schools, both high school and elementary, being a teacher, assistant principal and principal. The fir
There are many books that I like but when I was the principal at Frontier Elementary School, we had a 5th /6th grade book club. Two of my favorite books we read with the students was Nothing but the Truth by Avi and The Brooklyn Nine by Alan Gratz. I like historical drama. And it was nice to have a conversation with the students about what they read.
I called Mama by Tim McGraw
It makes me think of my mother and how she worked to make sure I had everything I needed.
It makes me think of my mother and how she worked to make sure I had everything I needed.
I struggle with wanting to do everything. I work on balance daily.
The most important role is to support the principles of the school district in providing the best education for all students. This job will be to promote the school district with all constituents and community partners. My main interest in becoming a school board member is to promote respect for educators and the educational process.
The constituents in the Peoria Unified School District are a diverse community consisting of young families to senior living centers. There are over 38,000 students from preschool to seniors in high school; 51.8 % white, 34.7% Hispanic, 2.6 % Asian, .3% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 4.6% mutli-racial, 4.9% Black and .9% American Indian/Alaskan. Of those students, 14.3 % are in special education programs, 3.7 % are English Language Learners and 18% are on the free and reduced lunch program.
I want to be open to all those who are involved in the school district. One of my strengths is visibility and commitment, so I hope to be at various activities to show support. With this, I can be open to what is happening in the school district. My proposal is that we begin looking deeply at school board structure so all constituents are represented. I believe the district needs to be divided into sections so each one has a representative on the board, like most city councils do.
Visibility will be one of the ways to build relationships with all of the community. When constituents see you at activities and events, they know you care. One of the groups we have not utilized enough are our alumni from each of the high schools. I am very active in my high school's alumni association, helping organize an all-class lunch/fundraiser each year. This would be great for all of our schools, too. I also want parents and community members to be more engaged in their schools so I hope to invite them to schools to hear their concerns and comments.
Since so few come to meetings at the District Administrative Center, it will be important to go to them. I would like to have forums at the local high school, inviting parents, staff, and students from the feeder elementary schools to join in. These will be casual where all can learn about different programs, but also share their concerns. We have to become a team ready to educate!
I believe we recruit the best individuals for our positions. It would be nice to have these openings match our diversity, but when I hired individuals at any of the schools, we always looked for the best candidate. We have to develop programs in the school district that encourage students to become educators or see value in working in a school site.
The lack of respect for educators and what they do affects the quality of education. The certification guidelines have been lowered which has brought teachers into the classroom who are not qualified or who have never attended an education preparation course. Not everyone can be an educator. These individuals who do poorly take time away from our students and the administrators and colleagues who have to fill in the gaps. Because of social media, teachers are lambasted daily by those who don't even realize what teachers do. I will be a voice for those who have an education degree, work hard in the classroom or those who assist our teachers or support them in their journey to assist our students. We also must look at the salaries and benefits for staff so people can live without having to find supplemental income.
Good teaching is done by those who engage students, measure what they have learned, and evaluate what they taught to help students be successful. I will put my trust in the administrators and directors to help teachers be successful. I would like to see our teachers pursue National Certification and be compensated for successfully going through the process.
Not only should students be learning the academic competencies set aside by the Arizona Department of Education, but students also need to know soft skills and technology. This has become quite apparent during this pandemic.
A 21st Century diploma should reflect those courses that will help our students be successful after high school. This varies among our learners; one size does not fit all. We must impress upon students the economic value of a diploma and beyond. It has become apparent during this pandemic that technology skills are of the utmost importance. A diploma should be seen as a stepping stone, not an end all!
I believe the Peoria Unified School District does a good job with their curriculum and its offerings for all students. If anything, I would like to see the district continue programming, rather than losing programs. The partnership with West-Mec helps the students with advanced technical training and apprenticeships. Having dual enrollment courses with the community colleges and universities advances students as they prepare for college/university work. Obviously, it would be nice if every program was available at every campus, but financially this is not possible, but every student may go to another campus for courses.
Working with the community to understand school funding must be a role of every school board member and district employee. Advocating with the state legislature for further funding is necessary. We need to work with school staff to determine ways to save money and use resources the best possible way.
As a school administrator, this was first and foremost on my mind every day. We live in such a stressful world that it is difficult to stay on top of the causes and stressors. Using technology and current safety guidelines should drive what we do in our schools. We can never be complacent and schools must constantly practice their safety strategies so all students and staff are prepared for an emergency.
I am happy to see that PUSD has hired more staff in this area to assist students. For several years, elementary intervention specialists were eliminate . Every school should have an intervention specialist or counselor or social worker. Teachers and staff members need training to recognize mental health needs in students. And we must not forget our staff. This is the role I have in Glendale Elementary School District by helping staff with wellness, financially, emotionally and physically.
We learned a great deal with virtual learning as we ended the school year and now began the first semester. I believe that some families will choose to have their students continue online learning. It will play a huge role as many students don't want to be on a campus and would prefer to stay home to learn. If we can financially sustain this learning, rather than count those students who are in seats, it will help students. But, the state legislature needs to consider this after the pandemic and continue to fund schools who are teaching students at home. I also see that more emphasis will be placed on the keyboarding and
computer skills in our younger students so they are more adept at using the computer for learning in the future.
computer skills in our younger students so they are more adept at using the computer for learning in the future.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 30, 2020
