Republican Shelley Boggs declared victory in the Maricopa County superintendent race after Democratic challenger Laura Metcalf conceded.
Ms. Boggs, 53, is working to repair parent-teacher relationships, strengthen professional development programs for educators, and de-fund classrooms steeped in divisive ideologies such as gender studies and critical race theory. He bet his election campaign on the promise of politicization. He also pledged to strengthen the department’s budgeting practices after an audit this year revealed more than a dozen financial practice deficiencies.
“Our children deserve better. Our parents deserve better. Our teachers deserve better,” Boggs said in a statement Monday. . “Together, we will create an environment that fosters growth, learning, and opportunity for all. Thank you, everyone in Maricopa County, for believing in this mission and standing with me.”
During the campaign, Mr. Boggs and Mr. Metcalf, both sitting members of the East Valley Technical College Board of Trustees, said they had worked well together despite their political differences. Boggs said she was committed to running a clean race without mud-slinging, a promise she kept despite being the target of attack ads herself.
The county superintendent oversees the Maricopa County Regional School District, which provides education in juvenile detention facilities and operates residential high schools. The Superintendent’s Office also maintains homeschool and private school records and administers school district board elections, guarantee elections, and preference elections.
Students enrolled in the county’s public school districts could be affected by the decisions of the newly elected superintendent, who is tasked with appointing trustees to fill vacancies in Maricopa County’s 58 school districts.
That means Mr. Boggs will play an indirect role in shaping the district’s policy. He said he will seek input from the school board and community members before making appointments to ensure candidates are a good fit for the district.
Metcalf, who previously worked for the county supervisor’s office and the county’s lodging district, said she “doesn’t regret throwing mud” at Boggs, and that Boggs has no responsibility for the county’s finances. I am concerned that he lacks the proper background to rectify the situation.
In a statement released over the summer, Metcalfe cited Boggs’ alignment with “far-right, negative and extremely unprofessional” people, calling Boggs “too extreme” and unfit for public office. said. He said he believes Boggs is considering hiring and appointing MAGA Republicans to the countywide school board, but Boggs has previously said that he would not consider local districts when making such decisions. He also said he would rely on public opinion and that it would be a red flag if the school board applicant significantly deviated from his wishes. on either side of the political spectrum.
“There’s nothing wrong with what I’ve been doing so far,” Metcalf said Monday. “It’s unfortunate that this has happened, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Boggs is an Arizona native who spent the first 10 years of her career as a hairstylist before transitioning into the classroom as a cosmetologist at EVIT from 2002 to 2014. Boggs was elected to the EVIT board in 2018, but plans to step down after becoming county superintendent.
(This story has been updated with new information.)
Here’s where to contact the reporter: nicholas.sullivan@gannett.com.
