Questions surrounding Mesa Public Schools spending go unanswered
By Danielle Lerner
Posted: 6:25 PM, Nov 20, 2019 Updated: 6:57 PM, Nov 20, 2019
". . . Financial leaders for the district directed us to their Chief Strategy and Information Officer Helen Hollands 
"The Governing Board* has voted to place Dr. Conley on administrative leave while it gathers, reviews and evaluates information of concern to the Governing Board. The district has no further comment at this time."
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BLOGGER NOTE:
Scroll down below to see who the five members of the Governing Board are - and where they got their "educational credentials" and degrees. DIVERSITY? Nope.
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http://www.mpsaz.org/communications/staff/
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From Brahm Resnick in an investigative reporting on
Mesa Public Schools takes steps to fire superintendent
The abrupt action to oust Ember Conley came at a special school board meeting Monday morning. A firing could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
MESA, Ariz — Mesa Public Schools said Monday it's taking steps to fire Superintendent Ember Conley, after placing her on a paid leave of absence and starting the search for an interim superintendent
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Mesa Public Schools » Governing Board
www.mpsaz.org › board
Governing BoardThe Mesa Public Schools Governing Board is the elected body that governs the district. The five Board members welcome comments and participation from the community for the support of children.
The Board sets policies for the administration of the district and oversees the superintendent who is responsible for the day-to-day operations.
The five Board members are elected by the voters of the district and serve a four-year term without pay. Each January, the Board selects a president and clerk to serve for the calendar year.
District business is conducted at regular meetings which are generally held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. The Board welcomes your attendance.
Board Responsibilities:
- Select the superintendent
- Establish policies for the district
- Upon the superintendent’s recommendation, approve personnel issues
- Make decisions on district resources
- Adopt the annual district budget
- Request and interpret opinions from the community about education
- Communicate with the community about the needs and progress of the district
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Please note that there is a preponderance of members elected to the Governing Board with degrees from Brigham Young University
1 Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics
1 Master's Degree in Accounting
1 Degree in Elementary Education
President
Elaine Miner began her current term on the board January 2017.
She previously served eight years, including two as president. She also served on the State Superintendent of Public Instruction's AIMS Advisory group and the Arizona Reading Leadership Advisory Board.
Elaine holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education from Brigham Young University.
>Prior to returning to the board, she and her husband, Don, owned and operated the Arizona School of Real Estate & Business.
She has been a Mesa resident since 1986.
Elaine and Don have three sons who graduated from Mountain View High School and nine grandchildren who continue to live in Mesa. Her term expires Dec. 31, 2020.
Clerk
Kiana Maria Sears joined the Governing Board January 2017.
A resident of Mesa for more than 22 years, she is a proud wife and mother of two daughters who graduated from Red Mountain High School and attend Arizona State University. Kiana Maria served as an Art Masterpiece volunteer, a Girl Scout leader and a foreign exchange parent. She holds a master's degree in public administration.
Kiana Maria is an avid ASU Sun Devil, community advocate and experienced public policy creator and implementer.
She has contributed to critical laws, committees and organizations such as Children's Action Alliance, Arizona State Senate, Arizona Corporation Commission, East Valley NAACP, East Valley Martin Luther King Parade and various charities of the United Way. Kiana Maria believes "every single child deserves an opportunity to learn and to access a quality education." Her term expires Dec. 31, 2020.
Member
Member
Marcie Hutchinson joined the Governing Board January 2019.
Marcie and her husband, Mike*, have lived in Mesa for 39 years. They have two daughters who graduated from Red Mountain High School.
Marcie holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in history.
She has 31 years of public high school teaching experience in New York and Arizona. During her 28-year career with Mesa Public Schools, she taught American and European history and advised extracurricular activities at Dobson, Mesa and Red Mountain high schools. Her term expires Dec. 31, 2022.
* "her husband Mike" is Mike Hutchinson, former the Mesa City Manager - he's now the Executive Vice-President of the East Valley Partnership
* "her husband Mike" is Mike Hutchinson, former the Mesa City Manager - he's now the Executive Vice-President of the East Valley Partnership
Member
Steven Peterson became a member of the Governing Board in January 2009.
Steven and his wife, Julie, have eight children. Their children include college graduates, Westwood High graduates and currently enrolled district students. An accountant, Steven earned his master’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University.
Steven has lived in Mesa for 17 years, during which he has been an active volunteer at Westwood High as an assistant cross country coach and a member of the school’s parent group.
Steven has served as a member of a Grand Canyon Council Committee for the Boy Scouts of America and as a youth leader in Venture Scouts. His term expires Dec. 31, 2020.
Member
Jenny Richardson began her Governing Board service January 2015. She and her husband, Randy, grew up in Mesa Public Schools, both graduating from Westwood High School. They are the parents of six children, all of whom are graduates from or current students in the district.
Jenny received her degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University, and taught for several years in grades 1 through 3, before "retiring" to stay home with her children.
Jenny has served in her children's school communities, working on numerous committees and organizations. She has also been involved in educating families and voters about educational issues that appear on their ballots through the Mesa Chamber of Commerce. She believes great schools make great neighborhoods and great cities, and is happy to serve the schools she loves. Her term expires Dec. 31, 2022.
__________________________________________________________________________________Members of the District Cabinet
> Chief Strategy & Information OfficerHelen Hollands
> Chief Strategy & Information OfficerHelen Hollands
< Assistant Superintendent, Business & Support ServicesScott Thompson
Incumbent Jenny Richardson and Marcie Hutchinson defeated incumbent Ben Smith and Rhonda Levenda in the general election for Mesa Public Schools Governing Board At-large on November 6, 2018.
Candidate
|
%
|
Votes
| ||
| ✔ |  | Jenny Richardson (Nonpartisan) |
29.1
| 55,613 |
| ✔ |  | Marcie Hutchinson (Nonpartisan) |
26.1
| 49,986 |
 | Ben Smith (Nonpartisan) |
23.4
| 44,734 | |
| Rhonda Levenda (Nonpartisan) |
21.5
| 41,057 | ||
