John Kriekard

John Kriekard

Kriekard, John (Democrat)

Phone: (480) 473-1176

Email: jkriekard@msn.com

Website: www.electkriekard.com

16467 N. 109th Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Age: 64 (10/26/45, Neenah, WI).

Arizona since: 1977.

Occupation: Educational consultant, K-2 Educational Consultants, since 2009; superintendent, Paradise Valley Unified School Dist, 2003-09; assistant superintendent, Paradise Valley Unified School District, 2002-03; principal, Chaparral H. S., Scottsdale Unified School Dist, 1995-02; school administrator, Scottsdale Unified School Dist, 1979-02.

Marital: Married (Jane E. Kaufmann, academic coach-science).

Children: 3.

Religious preference: Lutheran.

Education: Ed.D., educational administration and supervision, ASU, 1985; M.A. history, Western Michigan University, 1971; B.A., history, Kalamazoo College, 1968.

Political experience: Co-chair, Yes for PV Students PAC.

Memberships have included: Founding president, Kiwanis of Desert Ridge; executive board member, North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce; AZ School Administrators Legislative Council; AZ Business Education Coalition Public Policy Committee; co-chair, Paradise Valley Community College Presidents’ Circle; commissioner, Four Peaks District, Grand Canyon Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Interests: Reading history and political science, golf, travel, grandparenting.

Issues:

Political influence: John F. Kennedy and Barry Goldwater, because they both were strong patriots with a social consciousness and were men of principle.

Budget recommendations: The state should increase revenue by implementing plans to create more jobs and thus create more taxpayers. This should be done through aggressive recruitment of new businesses, large and small, and increased tourism. Current Arizona-based businesses should also have incentives to create and sustain new jobs. Another way to increase state revenue is through an improved investment strategy of state funds that both allows greater flexibility and creativity as well as better supports Arizona financial institutions. Government needs to be as effective and efficient as possible while adhering to a long-term plan that will engender future economic growth for Arizona. Given the cuts the state has already sustained in recent times, I would not recommend further cuts without reviewing efficiency reports from all areas receiving state funding.

Other concerns: Education of our youth is the foundation of America’s current and future success. While I understand that funding for education continues to be the largest fiscal issue we face, I truly view it as the most solid investment in our future that we can make. That means not only having computers in the classrooms now but also providing access to early childhood education, up-to-date instructional strategies, and rigorous coursework for all students in all schools across the state. We must get away from the “one test fits all mentality” as the only measure of student achievement and from thinking that cosmetic changes constitute reform. Sustainability is another area of tremendous importance to Arizona. As a state, we must put plans in place to build renewable energy sources that would include not just solar, but everything from geothermal to wind to biofuels to other sources that are fueled by the science and imagination of our state’s engineers and entrepreneurs. We also must sustain our systems, both political and cultural, to prevent a collapse of our American way of life. To that end, we need a creative, supportive, collaborative government and a strong educational system, and we must continue our history of celebrating Arizona’s cultural diversity.

Fiscal philosophy: We should always invest in the future, demand accountability and transparency, and balance the budget. Investing in the future means that expenditures are part of a long-term plan for economic growth in our state that strengthens our infrastructure and systems, which includes creating a culture of innovation. The goal is to position Arizona as a leader among states in terms of critical economic indices. Our state legislators and departments should be accountable to the taxpayers for efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars. Transparency means budgets should be developed and debated in public and not put together behind closed doors, as has happened continuously in recent years. Not only does balancing the budget mean doing so fiscally, but it also means that our expenditures and liabilities should be balanced in a philosophical sense not just to meet our current needs but to improve our quality of life and support our vision of a better Arizona.

Background & experience: As a superintendent of a large school district, I have been the CEO of a company with a $300 million budget, 50 sites, and thousands of employees, which has given me the experience to work with large-scale budgets and facilities and human resource issues. My first priority on becoming superintendent was to initiate a long-range plan so that decisions would be made in the context of our vision for the organization and its students for the future. Additionally, my professional experience has centered on working with diverse groups of people, forging consensus, working collaboratively, and making tough decisions, all skills necessary to work with colleagues and constituents in moving our state forward.

Prop. 100 sales tax: I voted for the temporary sales tax because it is a necessary stop-gap measure to prevent devastating cuts to education and public safety. We must work to improve the state’s economy so that when the tax increase expires we can maintain the level of service in these areas. The level of support by the voters across the state demonstrated that education and public safety are high priorities and this should be instructional to legislators in the future.

Pro-life/pro-choice: Abortions are terrible events that no family should have to endure. However, I do not challenge the law or a woman’s right to make private medical decisions.

One last thing: Being a legislator is about being a leader. I have served in leadership positions in schools, districts, and civic organizations for more than 30 years. My tenure as a leader has been marked by a vision for the organizations I have led that has helped inspire individuals, departments, and schools to strive to greater achievement. I also have been called pragmatic in that my leadership involved providing practical solutions to daily concerns. I have demonstrated the ability to listen to and work with people of diverse views and backgrounds and having the courage to make tough decisions when necessary. Additionally, I have been a resident of District 8 since 1995 and know the issues and opportunities of the area as well the state.

Campaign Finance: public.