Chad Thompson
Gilbert Unified School District
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1. Are you a precinct committeeman? If yes, for how long?
No
2. Tell us a bit about yourself. What made you run for school board?
I entered the race because for the last few years, our school board has made one bad decision after another and ignored parents and stepped on parents' rights. As I've gotten more involved and been exposed to the dangers lurking around the corner for our kids, CRT, SEL, CSE, etc., I am now running to keep our kids safe from these destructive agendas. We can't trust our current board to make any decisions that would be in our kids best interest. I am fighting for our kids.
3. Do you support sexual education of children in the classroom? At what age do you believe this is appropriate, and do you believe that a parent should have the opportunity to opt out?
I do not support what is passing for sexual education these days. A biological sex ed. lesson is appropriate around 6th grade. Parents should have the ability to easily opt out and feel confident their decision will be respected. A sexual education that includes "acceptable" alternative forms of sex to prevent pregnancy, discussions on trans and queer theory, and lessons that include the use of inappropriate "toys" and lesson materials have no place in our schools, at any age.
4. Do you support the idea of parents being the sole stakeholders in their children’s lives.
Parents are a child's first teachers and they will always know what is best and have the child's best interests at heart. Parents are they only ones that should be making educational, medical, mental, emotional, etc. decisions for their kids.
5. What is your position on critical race theory, social-emotional learning, LGBTQ inclusion, and equity issues in the classroom? What do you know of Bloom365 and Corwin Press and what are your opinions?
These theories, curricula and programs have no place in our schools. I am aware of these content providers and I think they are politically charged organizations with the single purpose of creating curricula and materials to indoctrinate our kids and side step parents in an effort to separate children from families and take all decision making away from parents.
6. Based on the limitations and powers of a school board member, what’s your platform?
My primary platform is to listen to parents. After being ignored for years, along with many other parents, our parents, as stakeholders, should have the biggest and most seats at the table when decisions about our kids education are being made. All decisions need to be focused on one thing, restoring traditional education to our classrooms and create an environment where teachers teach and parents parent.
7. What do you believe to be the biggest issue impacting K-12 students in Arizona?
The biggest issue today is learning loss and how our government schools are responding. As a parent the answer is simple. Get back to basics and focus on education. Instead our boards and administrators are spending millions of dollars filling our kids and teachers time with just about everything except actual academics. One example is SEL lessons implemented in every class at every level. Teachers are being asked to practice unlicensed psychology in uncontrolled, non-therapeutic spaces on groups of children. It's over burdening our teachers and it's taking precocious learning time away from our kids.
8. How do you think the state should support public education? Do you believe in expanding school vouchers?
I 100% support the latest ESA expansion law. As a school board member, I will do my best to accommodate everyone and provide an excellent education and resources for students with special needs. But, I understand government schools are not a one size fits all. Parents should be able to make important education decisions for their children and the funds for the student should follow the student and not benefit a system that is not providing anything for the child.
The state should support public education by revising spending formulas to make it easier for school districts to put the proper amount of funds where they are needed most. Schools get adequate funding, but using funds meant for schools should not come with as much red tape.
9. Do you have a plan to fund renovations of schools in your area that are run down?
There are constant renovation plans in the works in almost every school district. But these expenses are not surprises. School boards typically know what renovations are coming up and should plan accordingly. If spent wisely, the amount of federal and state funds given to schools is enough to plan and execute appropriate renovations.
10. Do you have a plan to address the shortage of teachers?
Yes. Typically the first response in regards to the teacher shortage is to pay them more money. Teachers are making more than ever before but are still leaving in record numbers. So the "why" behind the teacher shortage needs to be addressed before we can address it. In my conversations with teachers, their number one reason for work place dissatisfaction, is time. Each year the district implements new programs and curricula that each come with their own version of tracking and reporting. The time teachers use to spend preparing lessons and lesson material is now spent tracking and reporting a mountain of data on students. Teachers want to teach, they need time during the day to prepare lessons and materials and they don't want to take their work home with them. Addressing this will create a better work environment and align teacher expectations with reality.
11. Do you support allowing retired military or police officers, who pass background checks, to work or volunteer in our schools to prevent mass shootings?
Absolutely! Step one is to take down ridiculous "gun free zone" signs. These are a flashing green light to anyone thinking of harming our kids. Individuals that want to protect their students, meet firearm safety and use standards, and comply with continuing firearm education requirements, should be able to carry firearms on campus.
12. Please feel free to add any additional information you would like voters to know about your candidacy.
I want to bring parents and taxpayers back to the front of the line and eject federal, state, and local unions "associations" from our district and classrooms. Our priority needs to be academic achievement. If we are ever to make up the gap in education caused by closures and mandates, we can't spend time on lessons and programs that push a political agenda and cause divisions in our classrooms.
Listen to parents, focus on education, and prepare our kids with education and technical skills to thrive after high school and become the future leaders of our communities.