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Maricopa school‑board candidates back Prop 488, debate turnout, phones and safety at public forum
Summary
Three candidates for Maricopa Unified School District governing board discussed Proposition 488, low voter turnout, pandemic impacts, cell‑phone rules and school security; the incumbent emphasized special‑education priorities while challengers highlighted experience and student voice.
At a public forum focused on school‑board races and a pending bond, the three candidates present—incumbent Carolyn Lopez and challengers Ben Owens and Nicholas Andreski—addressed Proposition 488 and a range of district concerns including voter engagement, pandemic learning effects, cell‑phone rules and school safety.
Carolyn Lopez, who was appointed to the governing board in December, said it is part of the board’s responsibility to help inform voters about the bond and emphasized her work on special education and behavior health. "It is the job of the governing board to be a public servant...and part of that is to initiate those discussions," Lopez said.
Ben Owens, a former board president who highlighted years of volunteer hours and prior board leadership, said passing the bond…
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