Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Heidi Thompson graduated with her Bachelor of Science in psychology at Liberty University before earning her Master of Education in counseling from Washington State University and her J.D. in Law from Liberty University [1]. She worked as a counselor and educational consultant at various high schools for many years before opening her own planning attorney practice in 2018 [1, 2]. Thompson also owns a retail shopping company geared towards entertainment for women [1].
Key Issues
No key issues could be found.
Endorsements
No endorsements could be found.
Sources
1 LinkedIn
2 Lifeguarding Legacies
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Susan Winder graduated with her Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the University of Maryland before going on to earn her Master of Education in guidance and counseling from Bowie State College and her PhD in K-12 curriculum and instruction from Wayne State University [1, 2]. Winder worked as an elementary school principal in Michigan for 18 years where she developed parent volunteer programs and various other committees [1, 2, 3]. During her time as a principal, Winder won awards from PTA and other community organizations within the school district [1]. She then went on to work as an instructor and assessment liaison at the University of Phoenix Online [1, 2, 3]. Winder serves as a volunteer teacher at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital School [2].
Key Issues
Communication
Winder would like to prioritize transparent communication between the PVUSD school board, parents, and the community by providing comprehensive updates and clear information on school policies, curriculum changes, and budget decisions [1].
Curriculum
Winder would like to return to traditional educational principles by focusing on subjects like math, science, and language arts and reducing the emphasis on social-emotional learning [1]. She would also like to prioritize educational excellence by raising academic standards and test scores to empower students [1].
Endorsements
Shawnna Bolick, Arizona State Senator; Walt Blackman, former Arizona State Representative [1]
Sources
1 Winder for PVUSD
2 LinkedIn
3 Facebook
4 Board Meeting Comments
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Nichole Klootwyk earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northern Arizona University. Klootwyk then worked as the senior auditor at KPMG for three years before working in various accounting leadership roles at The Dial Corporation [1, 2].
Key Issues
Budget
Klootywk would like to identify areas of savings to redirect funds towards teachers and classrooms to enhance academic excellence [1].
Curriculum
Klootwyk would like to address the issue of declining academic achievement in PVUSD by refocusing expectations to prioritize academics [1].
Parental Involvement
Klootwyk would like to prioritize parent engagement in their children’s education through transparent communication and open dialogue about school affairs [1].
Endorsements
Parents for PV [4]
Sources
1 Klootwyk for PVUSD
2 LinkedIn
3 Facebook
4 Parents for PV
5 Instagram
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Amanda Courtright-Lim graduated cum laude with her Bachelors of Science in Molecular Bioscience from Arizona State University before going on to earn her Master of Arts in Biomedical Health Ethics. She then completed her PhD in bioethics/medical ethics at Cardiff University [1, 2, 3]. Courtright-Lim has worked for T-Gen as a research associate for seven years before becoming their education and outreach specialist. She currently works as the senior program coordinator in bioethics and disparities at Mayo Clinic [2]. She has also completed research regarding medical ethics [2, 3].
Key Issues
Equity
Courtright-Lim would like to emphasize the importance of prioritizing an environment where every student feels valued and supported in order to promote a brighter future [1].
Miscellaneous
Courtright-Lim wants to address key enrollment challenges in the school district by proposing strategies and collaboration with parents, teachers, and the community [1].
Endorsements
No endorsements could be found
Sources
1 Courtright-Lim for PVUSD
2 LinkedIn
3 Cardiff University
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Itzimba Figueroa graduated with a Bachelors of Science in justice studies from Arizona State University before going on to earn her Paralegal Certification from Phoenix Community College [1, 2]. Prior to earning her undergraduate degree, Figueroa worked as a data management coordinator for five years at CASE (Central Arizonans for a Sustainable Economy). Figueroa then worked as a bilingual civil litigation paralegal for Tiffany and Bosco, P.A. for a year [1]. Figueroa serves as a part of many different community service boards like Cultural Coalition, the Council on American Islamic Relations Arizona, and the Young Professional Child Help Chapter [1, 3, 4].
Endorsements
No endorsements could be found.
Sources
1 Monzon Fellowship
2 LinkedIn
3 Cultural Coalition
4 CAIR Arizona
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Mike Pineda earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix in 2004. In 2006, he earned his Master of Education degree from Grand Canyon University [4]. Pineda served on the Littleton Elementary School Governing Board as a member, Vice President, and President. He also taught and coached the youth community football and baseball for over ten years [1, 2]. Mike Pineda serves at Estrella Mountain Community College as the Business Program Director. Mike Pineda was elected into the Avondale City Council in 2016 and has remained a member since then. In 2023, he was elected as the Vice Mayor of Avondale [1].
Key Issues
Community
Pineda wants to continue investments in amenities, resources, and recreational opportunities to create a local center for Avondale residents [2].
Education
Pineda wants to emphasize educational opportunities and work closely with partners to create a platform for academic growth [2].
Economy
Pineda wants to prioritize the growth and support of small businesses in Avondale [2].
Endorsements
Kenn Weise, Mayor of Avondale; Joe Pizzillo, Mayor of Goodyear; Juan Rodriguez, Mayor of Tolleson;Wally Campbell, Goodyear Councilwoman; Mark Gonzales, Avondale Elementary School District Governing Board President; Adolfo Gamez, Tolleson Council Member and Former Mayor [2].
Sources
1 Avondale Gov
2 Mike Pineda for Mayor
3 Facebook
4 LinkedIn
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Veronica Malone attended Rio Salado College and studied Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance. Malone is also a graduate of the Avondale Citizens Leadership Academy, the West Hispanic Leadership Institute, and the Avondale Citizens Police Academy [1, 6]. She previously worked as a Coordinator of Student Information and Enrollment for Tolleson Elementary School District. She later worked at Arizona State University as a database analyst [4]. Malone is currently employed as a Special Project Technician with the Littleton Elementary School District [1]. Malone has served on the city council since 2017, and has previously served as Avondale’s Vice Mayor. Currently, Council Member Malone serves on the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Avondale Contributions Assistance Review Committee, Women in Municipal Government and is a member of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials [1].
Key Issues
Public Safety
Malone wants to support first responders to ensure the safety of the community [6].
Education
Malone wants to provide the youth of Avondale with many opportunities within education [6].
Endorsements
Arizona List; Western States Regional Council of Carpenters; Arizona Police Association; Avondale Professional Firefighter Association [2, 5, 6].
Sources
1 Avondale Gov
2 Facebook
3 AZCentral
4 LinkedIn
5 Instagram
6 Malone4Mayor
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Melissa England was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, graduating from Salem High School in 1993 and studied at Radford University [1].
Key Issues
No key issues could be found.
Endorsements
No endorsements could be found.
Sources
1 Facebook
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Incumbent
Background
Kristen Acton is a Registered Nurse and a small business owner [3, 4]. She has been an at-large Agua Fria Union High School District School Board member since 2021 and a member of the Maricopa County Board of Health representing District 2 since 2019 [3, 4]. Acton won the election for an at-large seat for the district after the 2020 general election was canceled [1].
Key Issues
Accessibility
Acton wants the district to continue in their pursuit of providing the most effective educational services and opportunities possible for students, believing that they must be prepared to meet the expected needs of the growing valley [3].
Equity
Acton supports the modernization of the Arizona open enrollment system through HB2427, which requires schools to make the enrollment process simpler and more transparent for parents looking to enroll their children in Arizona public schools [4]. The bill also limits the amount of information schools can request about students before they choose to enroll [4].
Endorsements
No endorsements could be found.
Sources
1 Ballotpedia
2 Facebook
3 Agua Fria High School District
4 Great Leaders Strong Schools
5 Facebook
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Jessica Wani received her BA in Psychology from Boston University and her JD from the Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center [1]. Wani is a public volunteer and attorney for Gravis Law, PPLC [1, 2, 6]. She was previously a Program Director at Arizona State University, the Co-Founder of Manifest West LLC, and an Attorney at the Valley Law Group [1, 2]. Wani also briefly conducted research at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law School, where she wrote a community innovation regulation-based paper in the Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics [6].
Wani co-founded Right2SafeSchoolsAZ.org, a nonpartisan group supporting safe schools for students in Arizona [3, 5]. As part of a team at ASU, she was awarded the Arizona State University’s President’s Award in Innovation for her work to bring cleaner indoor air to K-12 schools statewide [6].
Key Issues
Accessibility
Wani supports establishing safe and conducive physical environments for students. Additionally, she believes that the upkeep of school buildings should comply with environmental standards that prioritize children’s health [6].
Equity
Wani wants to ensure the district provides Paradise Valley students the resources and support they need to succeed through various pathways. She supports transparent school and district policies and practices [6].
Mental Health
Wani supports voluntary registries to assist in improved interactions between police officers and individuals living with dementia [6].
Endorsements
No endorsements could be found.
Sources
1 Linkedin
2 Voyage Phoenix
3 Public Voices for Public Schools
4 Gravis Law
5 Right2SafeSchoolsAZ
6 Jessica Wani 4 PV Students
