By Elizabeth Troutman |
Paradise Valley School Board candidate Eddy Jackson said he is running to represent stakeholders, not a teachers union.
“I refuse to seek the endorsement or campaign funds from district unions or contractors because I seek to represent all stakeholders, including all teachers, not just those in the union,” Jackson said in an email. “I will vote to give staff members that opted to not be in the union a seat at the table for contract negotiations and district committees.”
As a school board candidate, Jackson said he received an email from a district union Political Action Committee congratulating him for qualifying for the November 2024 ballot and inviting him to participate in their questionnaire to be considered for their endorsement. The PAC is called “Paradise Valley Fund for Children PAC.”
“Is their focus really children?” Jackson asked.
The PAC’s questionnaire focuses on questions about their power and influence in the district and district funding. Jackson noticed a lack of questions about declining enrollment, school closures or raising academic achievement, which he believes are the real issues parents care about.
Candidates funded by the PAC in 2022 elections recently voted to close Desert Springs Prep Elementary, Sunset Canyon Elementary, and Vista Verde Middle School.
The recommendation to close these schools arose out of the School Closure and Boundary Review Committee that violated Open Meeting Law and the public’s trust by holding secret, closed door meetings throughout 2023 and waited to reveal their recommendation until December, after the record $340 million dollar district bond was narrowly approved by voters, according to Jackosn.
Eddy Jackson is a father of four kids who attend school in the district. He is running on the platform of preparing students for success, protecting parental rights, supporting great teachers and staff, advocating for taxpayers, and protecting and putting students first.
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
