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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 would set education up for the next several decades and stressed community engagement. Owens described his record including site‑council work and prior board roles.
Nicholas Andreski, a recent Maricopa High School graduate active in career and technical education (CTE) programs, framed his candidacy around representing student voices and improving communication. Andreski said CTE participation prepared him for online learning during the pandemic and argued that boosting awareness of resources and programs helps student success.
On voter turnout and engagement, candidates broadly said the district and board should help inform residents, though they described the task as shared with the community. Lopez and Owens stressed outreach and using events to answer questions; Andreski emphasized communication to make students and parents aware of district resources and goals.
When asked about pandemic‑era learning loss, Lopez said she has not personally seen the national reading‑level declines at Maricopa Unified and instead noted behavioral concerns; other candidates described mixed student experiences and urged joint efforts by families, schools and administrators for recovery.
All three candidates expressed support for restricting cell‑phone use during school hours. Owens and Lopez specifically endorsed lockup approaches to reduce distraction; Andreski acknowledged instructional uses for phones in some CTE programs but still supported stricter controls.
On school safety, candidates pointed to visitor‑screening systems, metal detectors at Maricopa High School and vape‑detector technology as tools already used or under discussion. Andreski noted inconsistent implementation and urged more student consultation on security measures; Lopez highlighted town halls and increased behavioral health staffing as parts of the district’s response.
In closing statements, Owens emphasized his prior service and volunteerism, Andreski asked for a chance to be a student voice on the board, and Lopez asked for more time to advance special‑education goals. The moderator reminded the audience ballots are mailed beginning Oct. 9 and the election is Nov. 5.
Why it matters: the forum offered voters direct answers from candidates on the bond and on operational priorities—special education, safety and student supports—that would influence board decisions if they are elected.
