Tucson Unified School District teacher Dustin Williams, one of three hopeful candidates for Pima County superintendent of schools, says he has collected more than the required minimum of signatures to get on the ballot.
In an email, Williams, a Democrat, says his campaign has gathered 1,003 signatures thus far. This election, the county asks Democrats seeking a countywide position to collect at least 848. Signatures are due June 1.
The journey is only beginning with our goal of tripling the minimum number required. We are also collecting donations, canvassing, and meeting with several members of the community on a weekly basis. I’m asking for your support.
Williams teaches 6th-grade math at Mansfeld Middle School, and says that if he is elected he will make it his goal to visit every school district, classroom and meet students, teachers and administrators countywide. We talked to him a couple of weeks ago, read.
Pima County Superintendent of Schools Linda Arzoumanian has been in office since 1999. She’s retiring at the end of this term, which would be her fourth.
(We sat down with her at her office and will post the outcome, as well as more information on the position, next week.)
The primary election is Aug. 30, and the general election is Nov. 8.
This article appears in Mar 24-30, 2016.
Why were some of the Pima County legislators so hot on LOWERING the County Superintendent requirements, to just an associate degree in anything? Who is behind this and why?
This is a very good question that Frances Perkins asks.
Who else do you think is behind it? Big Education that’s who is behind it. Once again they are not getting qualified applicants so they have reduced requirements.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS – Pima Accommodation District
The Pima Accommodation District, operated out of the Office of the Pima County Superintendent, is accepting applications for certified K-12 Instructors to join our educational team as substitute teachers at the CAPE School, located at the Pima County Jail, to work with at-risk specia l education students in a Secure Care setting. Substitute teachers are paid $85.00 per day. This recruitment is ongoing and positions will be filled dependent upon need.
Who knew that we were funding education at the County Prison level. What do the results look like?
Associate degrees are good value if you understand math and budgeting why pay CRAZY high tuition rates….
What is compensation package for this elected position
11-419. County salaries
A. In counties having a population of five hundred thousand or more persons, as determined by the latest preceding federal decennial census, the following annual salaries shall be paid to county officers:
Officer
Annual Salary
Through
December 31, 2008
Annual Salary
Beginning
January 1, 2009
Attorney
$109,450
$123,678
Assessor
67,800
76,600
Recorder
67,800
76,600
Sheriff
89,225
100,824
Superintendent of schools
67,800
76,600
Supervisor
67,800
76,600
Treasurer
67,800
76,600
Why so much off topic. The candidates mentioned all have bachelors degrees and teaching certificates. Who wanted much less? Who had a buddy who wanted to be appointed, with no BA to Linda’s job ahead of the election? It seems no one is getting rich in the County Sup job.
The Legislature proposed changing the requirements for this position. Linda has been in the job for many years so I don’t believe not getting appointed to her job when Anita Lohr left it would be a sufficient impetus so much later. $76,600 is a comfortable salary, but not like that of the Sheriff or County Attorney who both earn 6 figures. County Attorney earns the most. Their salaries are set by law and haven’t changed since 2009.
@JonathanK — how else do you think that students under 18 are educated at the County Jail or Juvie? They’re educated by highly qualified teachers. They have the same “credentialing” requirements than a teacher at a traditional school district. If you want to know about accountability & teacher certification at the school, then ask, don’t speculate. Substitute teachers are necessary; teachers get sick or need training…someone has to cover a classroom. The programs are more innovative than you think.
Unrelated to the subject of the post, I can’t help but comment. I worked at the UofA for 16 years and remember planting the the seasonal flowerbeds around the fountain for many of those years analyzing the soil ph, amending as necessary, carefully laying out the planting design and maintaining during each plantings season. . I noticed in the photo supporting this article the beds appear to have been filled and sealed. The fountain that greets people through the main gate now has the appearance of a huge urinal. Unbelievable what government places value on. I’m so glad I left before I had to witness this “Progress” in person. I can only wonder of the fate of Dr Forbes original Olive trees that I helped move to their new home on Speedway south of the so important parking garage. Our connection to nature is what makes us human, we become less human each day…..
He should go to the Board of Supervisors meeting and tell them to stop supporting charter schools through the Industrial Development Authority. Why would Democrats on the BOS support charter schools? They must love Doug Ducey and private prisons too.
Who is this guy?
How long has he been in the classroom and really fought hard in the trenches for public education?
I know Michael Gordy has fought for decades. If you want my vote, you must have had paid some serious dues…both on the picket line and in the classroom.