J. Charles Santa Cruz
J. Charles Santa Cruz was an at-large member of the Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board in Arizona. Cruz assumed office in 2015. Cruz left office on January 1, 2023.
Cruz won re-election for an at-large seat of the Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board in Arizona outright after the general election on November 6, 2018, was canceled.
Biography
Santa Cruz has earned three degrees from Arizona State University: a B.A. in English education in 1974, an M.Ed. in educational administration and leadership in 1981 and a doctorate in educational administration and leadership in 2002. He has worked as an educator and administrator in the Gilbert Public Schools System for 31 years. Santa Cruz's son and daughter both attended Val Vista Lakes Elementary, Greenfield Junior High School, and graduated from Gilbert High School.[1]
Elections
2018
- See also: Gilbert Public Schools elections (2018)
General election
The general election was canceled. J. Charles Santa Cruz (Nonpartisan) and Jill Humpherys (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Shana Murray (Nonpartisan)
2014
- See also: Gilbert Public Schools elections (2014)
While at-large incumbents Staci Burk and Jill Humpherys were up for re-election for Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board, Burk did not file to run in the election. Dawn Brimhall, J. Charles Santa Cruz, Reed Carr and Ron Bellus joined Humphreys on the November 4, 2014, general election ballot.
Humpherys and Santa Cruz won the general election.[2][3]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan |  Jill Humpherys Incumbent |
31% | 17,109 | |
| Nonpartisan | J. Charles Santa Cruz |
28.3% | 15,613 | |
| Nonpartisan | Dawn Brimhall | 15.7% | 8,660 | |
| Nonpartisan | Ron Bellus | 12.8% | 7,073 | |
| Nonpartisan | Reed Carr | 12.3% | 6,765 | |
| Total Votes | 55,220 | |||
| Source: Maricopa County Election Department, "General Election Results," accessed December 20, 2014 | ||||
Funding
Santa Cruz reported reported $8,818.71 in contributions and $3,060.92 expenditures to the Maricopa County Recorder's office, leaving his campaign with $5,757.79 on hand.[4]
Endorsements
Santa Cruz was endorsed by the following:
- Gilbert Chamber Of Commerce
- Gilbert Education Association
- Unite For Education
- G10 Business Leaders Of Gilbert
- Arizona Police Association
- Dr. Brad Barrett, former superintendent
- Dr. Wally Delecki, former superintendent
- John Sentz, former town council member
- Barb Dwyer, former executive director of Gilbert Education Foundation
Campaign themes
2014
Santa Cruz provided the following statement on his campaign website:
| “ | I am J. Charles Santa Cruz, and I am seeking your vote to become a member of the GPS Governing Board. Gilbert Public Schools has had a reputation for and a tradition of providing preeminent educational service to the students, parents, and patrons of the district. During the past four decades the students, faculty, staff, and administrators have distinguished themselves among the best in the East Valley and the state. The parental and community support that the district and its schools have received is the envy of many school systems in the area. In recent years, the change in leadership at the Governing Board level has created an atmosphere that has severely compromised the desire of many of our teachers, staff, and administrators to invest in the organizational culture that is being fostered by the members of the majority who hold a seat on the Governing Board.
I want to become a catalyst for returning to those foundational principles that made Gilbert Public Schools a shining example of an educational system that works for students, teachers, staff, and administrators. I want to become a member of a Governing Board who fosters achievement, academic excellence, cooperation, participation, and educational innovation. I want to be a member of a Governing Board that assists educators and district personnel in preparing our students for College and Career Readiness beyond high school graduation. We must return to a culture that is free of intimidation insecurity. The Governing Board must believe that it has a responsibility to nurture a culture that seeks accountability by embracing consensus and trust. I have been a practicing professional educator since 1974. For nearly four decades, I have devoted my energy to making a contribution to school systems and the education of young people. I have been affiliated with Gilbert Public Schools since 1981. I am married to an educator/policy maker. My son and daughter both attended Val Vista Lakes Elementary, Greenfield Junior High School, and graduated from Gilbert High School. I believe that my credentials and my experience qualify me to become a voice of rational and responsible leadership. I have been and continue to be devoted to Gilbert Public School as an employee, educator, parent, and tax payer. I now seek your vote to become a member of the Governing Board. I would like to, once again, serve the students, teachers, staff, parents, administrators, and the community. Please Vote J. Charles Santa Cruz for the GPS Governing Board.[5] |
” |
| —J. Charles Santa Cruz's campaign website (2014)[1] | ||
See also
- Gilbert Public Schools, Arizona
- Gilbert Public Schools elections (2018)
- Gilbert Public Schools elections (2014)
External links
|
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J. Charles Santa Cruz campaign website, "Biography," accessed September 21, 2014
- ↑ Maricopa County Election Department, "General Election Results," accessed November 4, 2014
- ↑ Maricopa County Education Service Agency, "Filed Candidate Listing," August 6, 2014
- ↑ Maricopa County Recorder, "Campaign Finance Document Search," accessed September 21, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| Gilbert Public Schools elections in 2018 | |
| Maricopa County, Arizona | |
| Election date: | November 6, 2018 |
| Important information: | What was at stake? |
| 2014 Gilbert Public Schools Elections | |
| Maricopa County, Arizona | |
| Election date: | November 4, 2014 |
| Candidates: | At-large:• Incumbent, Jill Humpherys • Dawn Brimhall • J. Charles Santa Cruz • Reed Carr • Ron Bellus |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Key deadlines • Additional elections on the ballot |
