New ASBA Executive Director emphasizes accountability and collaboration for member districts

The Peoria Unified Governing Board meeting on January 23, 2025, featured a presentation from the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) aimed at enhancing collaboration and transparency within local school districts. The new executive director of ASBA emphasized the importance of accountability, collaboration, and transparency—collectively referred to as the ACT framework—as guiding principles for the organization.

During the meeting, the director shared their personal journey into education, highlighting a background in special education and previous roles within the Arizona Department of Education. This experience, they noted, informs their commitment to serving the diverse needs of school districts, including Peoria, which has been a member of ASBA for many years.

The director outlined ASBA's structure, which includes 207 member districts, and discussed the organization's focus on providing customized training opportunities for school board members. Currently, ASBA offers 18 training sessions, with the potential for further customization to meet the specific needs of individual boards.

Additionally, the director addressed the importance of policy services, which assist districts in developing and maintaining their policy manuals. These manuals are based on model policies that comply with state statutes, ensuring that districts operate within legal frameworks.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for board members to reach out for further discussions, with the director offering personal contact information for follow-up inquiries. This engagement reflects ASBA's commitment to fostering strong relationships with local school boards and enhancing educational governance across Arizona.