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Dysart Unified School District elections (2016)
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Three of the five seats on the Dysart Unified School District school board were up for at-large general election on November 8, 2016. Jennifer Tanner was the only incumbent to file for re-election. She was joined on the ballot by four newcomers: William Swinney, Christine Pritchard, William Coniam, and Jay Leonard. Tanner, Pritchard, and Leonard won the election.[1][2]
Since only one incumbent filed for re-election, two newcomers were guaranteed to join the board. There was no primary.
Elections
Voter and candidate information
The Dysart school board is composed of five nonpartisan members who are elected at large to four-year terms. There was no primary election, and a general election was held November 8, 2016. Unopposed elections were canceled and did not appear on the ballot. Arizona law required an automatic recount in the case of a tie. If a tie was confirmed, the winner would have been chosen by drawing lots in the presence of the candidates.[3]
Candidates were required to submit nominating petitions signed by qualified electors totaling 0.5 percent of the total voter registration in the school district to the county school superintendent by August 10, 2016. The last day to file as a write-in candidate was September 29, 2016. Voters had to register to vote by October 10, 2016, in order to vote in the general election.[4]
Candidates and results
At-large
Results
| Dysart Unified School District, At-Large General Election, 4-year terms, 2016 |
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| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Jennifer Tanner Incumbent |
28.02% | 28,848 |
| Christine Pritchard |
22.65% | 23,322 |
| Jay Leonard |
18.75% | 19,305 |
| William Swinney | 16.63% | 17,123 |
| William Coniam | 13.95% | 14,364 |
| Total Votes | 102,962 | |
| Source: Maricopa County Recorder, "Final Results," accessed December 7, 2016 | ||
Candidates
Jennifer Tanner 
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William Swinney | Christine Pritchard
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| William Coniam | Jay Leonard
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Additional elections on the ballot
- See also: Arizona elections, 2016
The following offices shared the general election date with this Arizona school board election:
- President
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. House
- Corporation Commission
- State Senate
- State House
- State judges
- Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
- Maricopa County assessor
- Maricopa County attorney
- Maricopa County recorder
- Maricopa County treasurer
- Maricopa County sheriff
- Justices of the Peace
- Constables
- Maricopa Integrated Health System board
- Central Arizona Water Conservation District board
- Maricopa County Community College District board
Two state ballot measures were also scheduled to appear on the general election ballot: Proposition 205 (Arizona Marijuana Legalization and Proposition 206 (Arizona Minimum Wage and Paid Time Off.
Key deadlines
The following dates were key deadlines for this Arizona school board election in 2016:[5]
| Deadline | Event |
|---|---|
| August 10, 2016 | Last day to file nominating petitions |
| October 10, 2016 | Voter registration deadline for the general election |
| October 12, 2016 | Early voting begins for the general election |
| November 4, 2016 | Pre-general campaign finance deadline |
| November 8, 2016 | General election day |
| December 8, 2016 | Post-general campaign finance deadline |
Endorsements
William Coniam was endorsed in the race by Arizona State Sen. Steve Farley (D-9), Stand for Children Arizona, and the Dysart Education Association.[6][7]
Jennifer Tanner and William Swinney also were endorsed by the Dysart Education Association.[7]
Do you know of an official or organization that endorsed a candidate in this race? Let Ballotpedia know by email at editor@ballotpedia.org.
Campaign finance
School board candidates in Arizona were not required to file a campaign finance report if they did not raise or spend more than $500. If they plan to stay under this threshold, they are permitted to file an exemption statement. This rendered them exempt from all other campaign finance reporting, provided they did not exceed the $500 threshold. Otherwise, candidates were not required to file any report until they raised or spent more than the threshold limit. At that point, they had to file a Statement of Organization within five business days from when the threshold was reached. The pre-general campaign finance report was due November 4, 2016. All campaign finance filing was handled by the Arizona Secretary of State.[8]
What was at stake?
2016
Issues in the election
Candidate survey
Your West Valley published a candidate survey taken by all candidates running for the Dysart school board. The following are the questions and answers as they appeared on the website:[9]
Last November’s election was a watershed moment for the district with community voters passing the override. Were you in support of the override and in its aftermath, how would you like to reach out to those who did not support it?
William Coniam: I consider myself a fiscal conservative and I was initially opposed to the override (pre-2014 election). I had some of the same misconceptions of the situation that a lot of other residents had. My city council representative posted something to social media that had me reconsidering. I continually rely on facts not opinions. I also enjoy researching so I spent a great deal of time researching the issue in depth and attending various meetings. I subsequently switched to being an active supporter of the override. When the override wasn’t renewed in 2014, I worked diligently throughout 2015 to ensure it passed that time, to avoid further cuts and to restore the lost funding. In regards to reaching out to those who did not support it previously, I think most are similar to my prior opinion. There are misconceptions out there of what the situation is, for instance: ideas of “government waste” and “bloated administrative spending.” I believe by sharing with them the facts of the budget situation and how Dysart spends their money (and continuing to be good stewards with taxpayer money), we can win more voters over to supporting the Dysart School District.
Jay Leonard: I did support the override. Cuts in funding would result in higher class sizes, fewer band and music classes, cuts to athletic budgets and a return to half-day kindergarten. Also, the loss of teaching positions would not benefit our students. I would continue to reach out to those who did not support the override and help them understand the impact.
Christine Pritchard: I was very much in support of the Dysart Override, and voted yes. Arizona does not properly fund education, and therefore passing overrides and bonds are critical in order to secure the necessary resources, programs and staffing that ensures student success. School districts owe it to their students and community to reach out to those who opposed the override and take the time to listen to their concerns, address any misconceptions that exist, and educate them with facts; specifically those facts that illustrate that tax payer money is yielding promising profits via academic achievement and student growth. For example, with the passage of the override, all day kindergarten was restored, and our band programs are being rebuilt. The community outreach efforts should focus on illustrating, through current data, how student achievement is positively impacted by programs that are linked to the override, proving to the voters that the value override funding brings is more than just financial in nature.
William Swinney: With the passing of the override, it seems imperative that we respond to this tenuous support by providing results--more teachers with better pay and benefits equals better student life equals better test results equals measurable outcomes. Providing positive improvement will validate the override for both sides.
Jennifer Tanner: I was supportive of the district override. In the aftermath I feel it is important to show complete transparency in how the funds are being used along with the results gained from those resources. Some will never be in favor of an override, but they deserve to feel confident that their tax dollars are going where they were promised.
Through Prop 123 money, returning Dysart teachers received their first raise and bonus in many years. Salaries offered to incoming teachers were higher. But teachers have left the profession for several years. What steps would you like to see Dysart take to retain teachers and attract new teachers?
Coniam: Most would agree that the No. 1 reason that it is so difficult to attract and retain high quality teachers is salary. Sadly, this is largely out of our control and relies on additional funding from the legislature. The second key issue, I believe, is respect. Teachers do not feel appreciated and respected. We need to show 360 degree appreciation and recognition for our teachers (from parents to students to administrators) encouraging community involvement in the same. Additionally we should commit to building the best possible work environment for educators, develop and fund high quality structured induction (sustained, multi-year mentoring) programs for new educators, arrange budget priorities to provide job-embedded, on-going, focused, relevant professional development for both teachers and principals and provide opportunities for teacher leadership without leaving teaching.
Leonard: Dysart offers an amazing community and continues to see improvements in our schools. I would continue to work on showing the incoming teachers our continued progress and improvements as well as the positive impact Prop 123 offers.
Pritchard: The recent salary increases provided to teachers/staff as a result of Prop 123 was a huge step in the right direction. However, much of that added income will go toward the cost of rising insurance premiums. Finding ways to reduce insurance costs for dependent coverage would likely increase staff retention. I also believe the district should consider raising the salary cap every time the salary base is increased. However, staff retention goes beyond increasing incomes. The district must always be cognizant of how staff working conditions are impacting their quality of life, and we need to ensure that employees have the resources/support they need to be successful and feel valued.
Swinney: As a former educator, I know that new teachers come with high expectations. The reality all too frequently doesn’t match these expectations; if we want to acquire and keep teachers, then the reality of the classroom must equal the expectations as much as is possible. In short, we cannot make promises we are unable to fulfill and expect to keep quality teachers. We spend money on programs, facilities and novelty gimmicks but forget that the key element of student success is the teacher.
Tanner: I don’t believe any teacher took up the profession for the salary but rather to make a difference in a child’s life. That said, over time, teachers can become exhausted with mounting pressures and demands placed on their shoulders with limited pay. I believe strong leadership in each of our school sites who promote a culture of high morale, support, and encouragement would relieve much of the stress our teachers endure. Our teachers also need continued peer support and choices with their own professional development.
In spite of its windfall for districts, Arizona voters were very much split on Prop 123. Do you support Prop 123 and do you believe it is sustainable in the long term?
Coniam: This was the toughest decision I’ve faced as a voter in memory. I wholeheartedly believe that our schools need additional funding, especially when going directly to teacher pay. The vast majority of voters agree: a poll done shortly after the Prop 123 election showed that seventy-six percent of voters in the May Special Election say state funding for public schools should be increased. That was both “yes” and “no” voters. Most that voted “no” did not vote that way because they don’t feel schools need additional funding, they just didn’t like the deal that was struck. Since 2008, the legislature has cut $1.5 billion from public education every year. The funding from Proposition 123 restores only 18 percent of the funding that has been cut since 2008. It also included a great deal of additional requirements that may prove detrimental to education spending as well. Then when the Arizona State Treasurer gave a press conference showing that the legislature could pay for it entirely out of the current budget surplus, that made it very clear that we were getting a “raw deal.” It is a sad state of affairs that teachers had to settle for just 18 percent of the money that was already owed to them, just so they could see any funding at all.
Leonard: I support 123 because we needed the funding. I would like to see the information regarding the long-term impact.
Pritchard: I voted yes on Prop 123 because I support teachers. Prop 123 ensured pay increases that were warranted, and extremely overdue. The teaching profession is losing too many quality teachers each year because despite their love for teaching, they cannot support themselves or their families based on current salaries. With Arizona being at the bottom of the list for per-student spending, the voters needed to take action to increase and stabilize funding for public education in an effort to secure a means of providing students with a quality education that will enable students to graduate “future ready.” Sadly, based on what we know about how inadequate the state of Arizona is on funding education, I have no way of knowing how sustainable Prop 123 will be in the long term. However, in the spirit of taking care of our teachers and students, it had to be done.
Swinney: I’ve been quoted as saying I don’t have an agenda. And I don’t have an agenda: I have goals and one of those goals is to commit the district to sustainable and ever-increasing excellence. An election/override is based on the good intent to provide and improve basic needs. Is the proposition sustainable? Absolutely, if we, as a community body, commit ourselves to achieving that goal.
Tanner: I did support Prop 123 as a settlement to a lawsuit to ensure our staff receive the back-filled funds they were entitled to. I cannot say whether or not this solution will be sustainable long term, but it was the right thing to do for our employees at the time. The Governor’s office is currently working toward a sustainable solution.
What is the greatest strength of the district and how would you like to see it touted in an area with many charter schools “competing” for students?
Coniam: I think our greatest strength is something currently in development but that we are starting to see recognition for: being an innovative district. We were recently accepted into the League of Innovative Schools (a national coalition of forward-thinking school districts organized by Digital Promise, an independent, bipartisan nonprofit organization) and we were invited to participate in the White House summit on Computer Science for All, an event marking the progress on expanding computer science education for all students.
Leonard: Our district has great schools that continue to progress. We are offering many things that charter schools can’t or won’t. Our education and student to teacher ratio continue to improve and we will be very competitive in all areas.
Pritchard: Perhaps one of Dysart’s greatest strengths is its innovative and “forward thinking” mindset, as well as Dysart’s proven track record for being leaders in technology and 21st century skills. Over the years, I have attended both in-state and out-of-state educational conferences. While attending, it is abundantly clear that many programs that are being showcased as cutting edge are programs or polices that Dysart has already successfully had in place. Innovation, technology, and 21st century skills are what is required in a competitive, global economy, and Dysart students will leave prepared to successfully meet the demands of tomorrow.
Swinney: Dysart has many strengths, none the least of which is its desire to be innovative. Dysart is still a “young,” meaning an emerging, district. It is transitioning. I feel that Dysart is continually discovering methods and programs which will help students achieve their goals while they measure the cultural shift of the district. New innovative programs, signature programs for various campuses and technological innovation — all provide a level playing ground for all students, no matter their level of ability.
Tanner: The greatest strength of the district is opportunities. Opportunities in personalized learning whether it be in classrooms with highly effective teachers, various academies and signature programs district wide, programs such as AVID, West-MEC, Grand Canyon Diploma, online school, etc. Extended opportunities are available in arts/music whether it be through band, choir, dance, etc; as well as opportunities in athletics, clubs, and various campus activities. These are just as essential to a well rounded education as a classroom setting.
If elected, what is one aspect of the district you would like to improve during your term?
Coniam: The key item that gets me excited about the future of Dysart is personalizing education. This is something I’ve discussed previously, but seemed to be a key consensus from the recent 3R Summit I participated in. “3R” standing for “Redefine, Redesign, and Re-imagine” education. The purpose of the event was to get feedback from students, parents, business, community, and government stakeholders as we work on our new strategic plan, and Google “Education Evangelist” Jaime Casap presented about how education is evolving.
Leonard: I would like to work on the financial accountability of the district as well as learn the issues the district is facing.
Pritchard: As an advocate at heart, and having had recent experience working in special education classrooms, I look forward to committing much focus to improving how Special Education services are delivered to our students, as well as examine the need for adding additional supports to our Special Education teachers to ensure they have the tools they need, and the administrative support that the job requires, in order to ensure that each student’s unique and individualized needs are met. I also plan to continue my advocacy attempts at devising a program to address the social/emotional needs of students. Dysart no longer employs counselors or social workers to address the psychosocial issues that are facing our youth today. Academic performance and behavior is impacted when students are struggling with life stressors or are in the midst of crisis. As a district, we must acknowledge that this need exists, and find a way to ensure our students are being connected with the resources they need so they can heal emotionally, which positively impacts their ability to learn.
Swinney: If elected, I would like to improve communication between the board, the district office, the on-site administrators, the teachers and thereby, students and parents. It would benefit everyone to have a program in place which encouraged mentoring from the district office down to the beginning teacher. This would encourage individual accountability from the top management positions down through the classroom. Teachers then become mentors of their students, just as they are mentored by the administrators, no matter their level of experience. I have recently toured the K-8 and High schools in our district and have discovered each school has its own “personality.” Luke Elementary, for example, is known for Global Innovation; Valley Vista is known for Culinary Arts and the Fine and Performing Arts; Canyon Ridge is a STEM integrated concept school while West Point has the Arts Academy. Clearly Dysart USD is broadening the scope of opportunities for its students. There are not prerequisites for entering these programs but students’ academics determine whether or not they can remain eligible to stay in the program. One of my goals is to maintain and expand these opportunities for all Dysart students.
Tanner: There isn’t one specific area. The district as a whole needs to evolve on a daily basis. I believe that evolution is one of the things I enjoy most about being a board member; continually having conversations of how we can improve our processes.
What in your background makes you an ideal candidate to serve on the board?
Coniam: I strive to look at things critically, focusing on facts and not opinions; making evidence-based decisions. I enjoy researching so I have spent a great deal of time researching issues and attending meetings. While I consider myself a fiscal conservative, my decisions are guided by the well being of the community. I have developed a reputation for my willingness to objectively analyze situations and make educated decisions. It is my belief that the governing board is not a place for political grandstanding. I am not a single-issue candidate, who provides little benefit to the district during day-to-day operations. If elected, I promise to bring a fresh perspective to the board, examining the issues rationally, critically, and listening to all sides. I will make educated policy decisions based on sound educational philosophy and logical reasoning. I will do my best to make decisions that are in the best interest of our children and community, while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The Dysart School District will always have room for improvement, and I will always seek to improve Dysart. I’d like to encourage voters to read the endorsements that I have received (www.Coniam.com or www.facebook.com/VoteConiam). My endorsements include: teachers, Stand For Children Arizona, former City Manager, City Council Member, Arizona State Senator, parents, and retirees.
Leonard: I have a master’s degree in organizational management and have started several successful businesses from the ground up.
Pritchard: As a licensed clinical social worker, advocacy and improving social policy/programs within the community is ingrained in my profession and has given me the experience to engage in the critical thinking that drives change. I am also a parent of two children who have been enrolled in Dysart schools for 13 years, and have been an actively involved parent at both the district level and school/classroom level. However, I also bring the previous experience of serving seven years on the Dysart governing board prior to spending the last three years in the Dysart classrooms as an employee. I therefore have an intricate working knowledge of the Dysart systems that are in place, and have proven leadership ability. That very experience will prove beneficial if elected, as I not only have had the experience of seeing Dysart through the eyes of a board member, but now also through the eyes of an employee which brings new perspective, and is something that I believe is valuable when making decisions that impact our district as a whole. I have experienced the “other side” of seeing how polices effect teachers/staff in real time, and how policies impact students first-hand and up close.
Swinney: I have been an educator for 35 years. Plus I have spent 10 years in the public sector working in the corporate business world. How can I sit on the board and tell a classroom teacher how to do their job, if I don’t have a comparable background? How can I tell an administrator how to do their job if I’ve not been in that same position myself? How can I understand the frustrations of a parent unless I’ve been in the same position as a parent myself? I have two adult children. I have been a teacher. I have been an administrator. I have been there.
Tanner: Overall, it would be my eight-year tenure on the board. I have a sound understanding of the policies/procedures of the district and education laws of Arizona. I have had years of professional development and evaluations to hone my skills and develop into an effective board member. I have lived in El Mirage for 15 years and am invested in my community. My children are products of a Dysart education and serving on the board is a small way I can give back in showing my appreciation to the district as well as my community.
Issues in the district
Drastic teacher shortage
A report released by the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association revealed that four weeks into the 2016-2017 school year, Arizona still had over 2,000 teacher vacancies. According to 12 News, that was 25 percent of all positions in the state. Dr. Doug Wilson, superintendent of Marana Unified School District, said the issue is "that the pool of teachers is very narrow. It really is, so this is going to be a problem for school districts all over Arizona for several years."[10][11]
Adam Sharp, a principal of Espiritu Charter School, said he was not surprised by the teacher shortage. “There's a lack of respect for the teachers some people view this as a lesser profession," he explained. Although the report looked at a variety of factors to explain the shortage, Sharp thought it came down to one issue: teacher pay. 12 News reported that Arizona's average starting salary was $31,874, while the national average was $36,141. Teachers were leaving for other states whose starting pay was $8,000-$10,000 more. Meanwhile, the open spots in Arizona were being filled by long-term substitutes. But that didn't cut it when it came to special education, which required a more particular skill set. Some district superintendents, such as Kristi Sandvik of Buckeye Elementary School District and Dr. Andrew Rogers of Liberty Elementary School District, were turning to contract agencies to find special education teachers. However, Dr. Rogers added that doing so was “significantly more expensive than if we hired people directly.”[10][11]
About the district
- See also: Dysart Unified School District, Arizona
Dysart Unified School District is located in the city of Surprise, which lies in southwestern Arizona in Maricopa County. Phoenix is its county seat and the state capital. Phoenix is also the largest city in Arizona. Maricopa County was home to 4,167,947 residents between 2010 and 2015, according to United States Census Bureau.[12] The district was the ninth-largest school district in the state in the 2013–2014 school year and served 26,121 students.[13]
Demographics
Maricopa County outperformed Arizona as a whole in terms of higher education achievement between 2010 and 2014. The United States Census Bureau found that 30.0 percent of county residents aged 25 years and older had attained a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to 27.1 percent for state residents. The median household income for the county was $53,689, compared to $49,928 statewide. County residents lived below the poverty level at a rate of 17.1 percent, while that rate was 17.4 percent for state residents.[12]
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Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Dysart Unified School District' 'Arizona'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
| Dysart Unified School District | Arizona | School Boards |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Maricopa County Education Service Agency, "Current Governing Board Candidates," accessed August 11, 2016
- ↑ Maricopa County Recorder, "Unofficial results," accessed November 9, 2016
- ↑ onecl, "Arizona Revised Statutes - Title 15 Education - Section 15-424 Election of governing board members; terms; statement of contributions and expenditures," accessed September 19, 2016
- ↑ Arizona Secretary of State, "Elections Calendar & Upcoming Events," accessed September 19, 2016
- ↑ Arizona Secretary of State, "Elections Calendar & Upcoming Events," accessed September 1, 2016
- ↑ Vote Coniam, "Endorsements," accessed October 3, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Facebook, "Dysart Education Association," November 4, 2016
- ↑ Arizona Campaign Finance Guide, "Questions & Answers," accessed October 6, 2016
- ↑ Your West Valley, "Dysart board candidates share their views in Q&A," October 11, 2016
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 AZEdNews, "Shortage has school leaders attracting teachers in new ways," September 14, 2016
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 12 News, "Study: Arizona least attractive state for teachers; teacher shortage at crisis level," September 27, 2016
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 United States Census Bureau, "Maricopa County, Arizona, Quick Facts," accessed September 19, 2016
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "ELSI Table Generator," accessed November 16, 2015
- ↑ Maricopa County Recorder, "Maricopa County Election Results Archives," accessed August 18, 2014
- ↑ Arizona Secretary of State, "Official Canvas of Votes for 2000 General Election," November 27, 2000
| 2016 Dysart Unified School District Elections | |
| Election date: | November 8, 2016 |
| Candidates: | At-large: Incumbent, Jennifer Tanner • William Swinney • Christine Pritchard • William Coniam • Jay Leonard |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Key deadlines • Additional elections on the ballot |
