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Meet your School Board candidates

Posted 10/1/14

Five candidates are in the running for three seats on the Fountain Hills Unified School District Governing Board, including incumbent Karl Gaardsmoe, and newcomers Wendy Barnard, Edith Stock, Judy …

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Meet your School Board candidates

Posted

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

The winners of the three board seats will begin their four-year terms on Jan. 1, 2015.

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

This week, however, they were given the opportunity to introduce themselves to voters.

Wendy Barnard

I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey; and a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

I worked at the University of Pittsburgh for five years as an evaluator of educational programs and I worked for five years as an adjunct professor at Buena Vista University.

After moving to Fountain Hills in 2010, I soon began working at Arizona State University as an educational researcher. My evaluation includes issues such as teacher accountability, teacher preparation, and teacher efficacy in educational reforms.

Aside from work, I also volunteer in community activities. I am a board member and the registrar in the Fountain Hills Soccer Club, I coach a soccer team, I help with various school activities and I am an active member of the PTO.

While I have knowledge and experience with educational matters that will serve me well as a governing board member, what makes me uniquely qualified is that I am personally invested in the district. My husband and I have three boys (5th, 3rd, and 2nd grade) whom we want to have great school experiences that provide the foundation for their future endeavors.

This is why I decided to run for governing board. I want to represent my children and all of the children in the district by putting their best interests as top priority.

I have first-hand knowledge of the experiences of families in our district and I want to make sure that the governing board supports our district in making well-informed decisions for our children.

Karl Gaardsmoe

About a year ago I was appointed to the Governing Board and, as the incumbent, I’m asking for your vote to serve another four years. I’m proud of my contributions as a freshman board member and would be honored to serve another term.

I’m 56, married 32 years and have a daughter who, now a junior, has been a student in the district since kindergarten. I graduated from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. with B.A. degrees in philosophy and in religion. I am a small business owner of an investment advisory firm in Fountain Hills since 2008.

After relocating in 1999 I have been very active in our schools serving on the Budget Advisory Team, Superintendent Candidate Interview Panel, Superintendent Financial Advisory Committee and McREL Leadership Committee.

I’m a member of PTO, High School Athletic Booster Club, Four Peaks Rotary and Greater FH Business Alliance. I’ve participated in subcommittees for a number of civic organizations including Strategic Planning Advisory Commission and a graduate of the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute.

I have served as treasurer for PTO and church councils and volunteered for soccer club and youth theater. In suburban Minneapolis, I started a Jaycees chapter and served on that community’s Chamber of Commerce Board including a term as president.

I have the skills, experience and leadership capability. As a parent stakeholder with a business background I am uniquely qualified to make a difference in the lives of our students, staff and the district.

I would be grateful for your vote.

Robert Gomez

My name is Robert Gomez and I am a candidate to serve on the Board of Education of the Fountain Hills Unified School District.

I have enjoyed nearly 40 years in education serving as a teacher, coach, high school principal, assistant superintendent in an elementary school district and as superintendent of schools in K-12 school districts in California, Colorado and New Mexico. My candidacy will offer many experiences in quality education and teamwork.

My past accomplishments include serving as New Mexico State Impact Aid Chairman (authorizes funds for school districts that provide education to students living on federal land or Native American reservations), building and equipping new schools, raising achievement levels in low performing schools to meet state standards, bringing technology to all children and developing core academic standards.

I have been recognized by the State of California for technology improvement, for developing a successful student-led search and rescue program, and for developing a Stay Well Health Benefits Program, which is still being used today.

I have served as president of teachers’ associations, as a state small school district representative, president of athletic leagues, California Interscholastic Federation (C.I.F.) board member, and have led negotiations with a variety of departments at the state level and with tribal councils.

I have knowledge and experience with special needs children, second language learners, evaluation of staff and programs, and budgeting programs that provided the greatest educational benefit per dollar spent.

Judy Rutkowski

My name is Judy Rutkowski and I’m running for one of three openings on the Fountain Hills School District Governing Board.

My family and I have lived in Fountain Hills since 2001. Our two children attended Fountain Hills schools. Our daughter graduated from Fountain Hills High School in 2013 and our son is a senior this year.

I have been a volunteer for the School District in various grades and ways since 2002. My husband and I have attended every open house and parent-teacher conference for our children. I have worked as a school nurse in the Fountain Hills schools. I have over 10 years of experience as a volunteer teacher with children of various ages at my church. This range of experience has given me a broad perspective of how our schools work.

I believe education lifts us out of poverty and enables us to become productive citizens. A strong education is the foundation of that process and is one of the most important tools we can give to our children. This foundation must include strong skills in reading, writing, math, science and our nation’s history.

A well-rounded education also includes the opportunity to participate in music, arts, and sports. K-12 education provides the basis for whatever career or life path the student pursues after graduation. I want to contribute to the achievement of excellence in Fountain Hills Schools.

I welcome the opportunity in the upcoming weeks to share my thoughts on the issues and challenges facing us.

Edith Stock

I am a retired teacher/administrator who enjoyed the profession in California for over 20 years. I continued to work with young people post retirement in various volunteer positions.

I have B.S. in mathematics and Master’s in school administration. I was a teacher/administrator in two comprehensive high schools and summer schools for gifted students; and administrator for an alternative high school and K-5 elementary school.

I owned and managed bookstore during a portion of my working years.

I was a contract employee doing teacher in-service training for IBM following retirement. I served as a CASA volunteer, worked with unwed teenage moms and preschool youngsters, and served as president/treasurer of a food pantry writing grants to insure solvency.

I’ve been a resident of Fountain Hills for six years; three as six-month snowbird and three permanent. I mentored in junior high, have attended board meetings for the past two years, I’m a member of the Booster Club and PTO. I also helped with health screenings at McDowell Mountain Elementary this fall.

I’m married with two grown sons, four grown grandchildren and four great-grandsons; two infants and two in elementary school, second and third grades.