Steele, Ed

Meet the Candidate

Running For:
School Board
District:
Mesa Unified School District
Age:
65
Occupation:
Retired
Education:
Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering
Religion:
Catholic
Biographical Info:

My wife and I have resided in Mesa since 1988. We raised our children here and they attended Mesa Public Schools. I spent many years of my career working as a process and quality assurance engineer. I understand how to analyze and manage processes to ensure high quality, consistent output. I also owned and operated a successful manufacturing business for over 13 years. Since retiring, I have spent time volunteering for local non-profits as a legislative liaison as well as in a men’s mentoring program where I meet with men one on one to give them instructions and offer strategies on how to become better men, husbands and fathers.

Statement:

I am running because I believe I have a unique and valuable combination of education, skills and experience which will enable me to clearly identify deficiencies and implement effective solutions to the problems that have led to an abysmal 32% proficiency in English Language Arts and Math scores. As an engineer, I spent many years working as a process and quality assurance engineer in manufacturing. I understand everything it takes to create and maintain effective, high yield processes and I will bring those skill sets to the board. I also owned and operated a very successful manufacturing business for over 13 years. I know how to manage people, money and resources to achieve outstanding results. I want to bring accountability back to Mesa Public Schools.

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* I have been fighting this issue in Mesa Public Schools for the past 3 years from the outside.
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* MPS is experiencing declining enrollment while budgets continue to increase. They have money and just need to spend wisely.
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* I fully support school choice. Students should not be trapped in failing schools.
6. Making available books and instructional materials that include sexually explicit images and themes in school classrooms and libraries. O* It is a felony under ARS13-3507 to display such materials, yet MPS persists.
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* This is another issue I've been speaking to for the past 3 years at the board meetings. Parental rights are paramount.
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* A portion of teacher pay should be tied to merit. Mesa Public School's implementation of pay for performance is ineffective.
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* Again, I've been very vocal about this issue. Girls and boys should have their own protected space, period.
10. Teaching what is known as diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI); social, emotional learning (SEL); or critical race theory (CRT) in public schools. O
11. Requiring each district and charter school to post online a list of all curriculum and instructional materials being used in the classroom. S* Transparency is the key to restoring trust in public schools.