Skvara, Stephen

Meet the Candidate

Running For:
School Board
District:
Dysart Unified School District
Age:
42
Occupation:
Information Technology
Education:
Undergrad Degree in Computer Information Systems, Masters in Human Resource Management, Masters in Leadership and Management
Family:
Wife and 2 children
Religion:
Catholic
Biographical Info:

I was born and raised in Northwest Indiana. I moved to Arizona in 2006. My wife is a retired Air Force veteran and stay at home mom. I have been working in information technology for 10 years now. Both my children attend the Dysart school system. My daughter Chloe has me wrapped around her finger already. My son Ayden is taking after his dad. I have lived in the Dysart school district for 14 years.

Statement:

I am running for Dysart School Board to help every child in our elementary system to be able to receive the same quality education. The Dysart system has far too many differences between elementary schools. This fails to give all students a equal chance on the building blocks of a foundational education. I will work hard to ensure all students at Dysart have access to a quality curriculum. I will push for more parental involvement. I believe a quality education does not stop when the student leaves for the school day. Making sure parents are involved with their child’s curriculum ensures they know what their child is learning and helps them engage with the school staff at a better level. I will push for ensuring that every dollar possible is used for its fullest potential. I will ask questions and challenge the norm. Just because it has always been done that way does not make it the best or proper way. I will help make ensure total transparency and make sure there is trust between public education and the community.

Endorsements:

AZ Women of Action

Survey

Response Legend

  • SSupports
  • OOpposes
  • *Comment
  • −Declined to respond
  • †Declined to respond, Position based on citation

Question Response Comments/Notes
1. Requiring district and charter school officials, including teachers, to inform parents about their child’s social, mental, emotional, or physical health. S
2. Allowing parents to opt their children out of activities or lessons that offend their personal, moral, or religious beliefs. S
3. Increasing state and local taxes to provide more funding for schools and school facility projects. O* I oppose because this is not a yes or no answer. Many factors should be included if the district is asking for funds.
4. Requiring signed permission from a parent before a student may participate in any sexuality related instruction, activities, or clubs. S
5. Allowing all parents to use tax credits and publicly funded empowerment scholarship accounts to enable their children to attend any private, homeschool, or online academy of their choice. S
6. Making available books and instructional materials that include sexually explicit images and themes in school classrooms and libraries. O
7. Acquiring parental consent for school faculty and staff to refer to students by pronouns that do not align with the student’s birth sex. S
8. Allocating teacher pay raises based upon merit rather than providing uniform salary schedule increases based upon years of teaching or additional credentialing (e.g. master’s degrees) S* I support as long as there is a good system in place to properly track metrics for performance.
9. Implementing policies to allow students and faculty to use the restroom, locker room, and shower room based on self-identification rather than biological sex. O
10. Teaching what is known as diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI); social, emotional learning (SEL); or critical race theory (CRT) in public schools. O* When only 40-45% of student can read at their grade level, the District needs to focus on basics.
11. Requiring each district and charter school to post online a list of all curriculum and instructional materials being used in the classroom. S