Montero for Tempe Union School Board

As a successful graduate of Tempe Union and someone who has experienced the classroom in recent years, I know firsthand what issues our students are facing and have a fresh perspective on how to solve them.

What We Have Accomplished!

Mental Health

Passed the most comprehensive mental health policy in AZ encompassing suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention
Reduced the student-to-counselor ratio to around 1:400 across the district
Doubled the amount of Care 7 Youth Specialists at every school in the district
Established critical support teams and community partnerships to connect schools with outside resources for students and staff in need, such as Care Solace
Included vital ESSER-funded mental health resources into the budget to ensure continuity at all schools
Passed resolutions to prioritize mental health across departments and officially recognize Septemeber as "Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month"

Transparency and Accountability

Led a governance restructure for the Governing Board focused on student outcomes, including the establishment and alignment of Board and District goals, data-monitoring calendar, and policy to focus discussions during meetings
Revamped the Superintendent and Board self-evaluation tools to be more measurable and accountable to student outcomes and aligned across the district
Reporting regular updates and information to staff and the community on Governing Board activity to increase transparency and accountability for the Board
Revamped communications protocol to be more responsive and aligned with community and district needs
Facilitated a transparent, robust, and fiscally responsible search process to identify and appoint Tempe Union's next Superintendent, Dr. Stacia Wilson

Budget and Fiscal Responsibility

Annually raised all staff salaries, with a focus on classified staff, making Tempe Union one of the highest-paying districts in the state to ensure recruitment and retention of qualified staff
Continuously passed fiscally sound annual budgets that included stakeholder input along the way and set Tempe Union up for short and long-term success
Successfully passed Bond, Maintenence and Operations, and District Additional Assistance overrides, providing necessary funding to address facility issues that include health and safety, preventative maintenance, fixture and equipment replacement, building additions and modifications, and energy savings
Established critical partnerships and relationships with local businesses, organizations, and municipalities to provide opportunities and resources to students at all campuses

Student Representation and Equity

Increased offerings of dual enrollment and AP to ensure equitable access for all students and school sites
Established the first Yaqui 1 and Yaqui 2 language courses at Marcos De Niza High School in collaboration with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe
Passed resolutions officially recognizing key dates such as Juneteenth, LGBTQ Pride Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, and more
Included student representation on key committees to integrate students in the decision-making process of the Board and District

Awards and Recognitions

Lou Ella Kleinz Excellence in Governance Award: The highest award given to an Arizona school board that demonstrates outstanding education leadership and effective governance (2022)
Total Boardsmenship Award: Awarded to the Board for our commitment to board development and continuing-education attainment (2023)

Endorsed by National and Local Leaders

As someone who has experienced the classroom in the past several years and has direct ties to our educational system, I know the impact the board has on our students, teachers, staff, and families and have firsthand knowledge of the issues they are facing. A school board is a team and I firmly believe that
a board with the most diverse perspectives that reflect all parts of our community is a stronger board. I am ready to bring a unique and fresh perspective to our district. It's time to put partisan politics aside and elect someone who understands our students and will bring a voice that has been missing for far too long.

Tempe Union Priorities

Student Representation

I will work to ensure students' interests and concerns are properly heard and considered at the board level. As a part of a generation that is going through a unique set of challenges, I am ready to bring a fresh perspective to the board. A board with more diverse perspectives from all parts of our community is a stronger board.

Mental Health

I will establish proper resources are available to students with a balance between social needs and career/college readiness and work closely with counseling departments to make sure their needs are met. After working with the district the past two years, it's time we continue to fight for our students.

Teacher Retention

As a graduate of our schools, I know that our teachers are the backbone to our schools. They are on the frontlines, investing in the future. I will create strong incentive programs to increase teacher retention, offer competitive compensation and benefits, and create transparency around our compensation system.

Transparency

For too long, our schools have been systematically underfunded so it is important that every dollar is going to our students, teachers, and staff. I will work to create transparency around our financial activity as well as increase community involvement with our decisions.

School Equity

I will fight for equity within our school system to ensure every student has access to learn and be successful inside and outside of the classroom. I will create equal access to the AP and dual enrollment program to all seven schools in the district. Currently, these courses are disproportionally offered in better off areas.

Fully Funded Public Education

I will support allocations to fully fund our classrooms and provide adequate pay to our teachers and support staff. Our teachers and staff have spoken - I will stand up for them on the board.