1. What is your stance on discipline in schools?
Addressing behavior and ensuring a positive, respectful environment for all students and staff is a top priority, and I firmly believe it starts with strong leadership and clear expectations.
Accountability and Clear Standards
We need to reinforce a culture of accountability at all levels. This means setting clear, consistent standards for behavior that apply to everyone—students, teachers, parents, and administrators alike. When issues arise, they must be addressed swiftly and fairly, with appropriate consequences for those who violate these standards.
Professional Development for Teachers
Professional development for teachers is crucial, not just in academic instruction but also in classroom management and fostering positive interactions with students. Teachers should be role models, and we need to support them with the tools and training to handle conflicts constructively, de-escalate situations, and maintain a positive learning environment.
Character Education for Students
We need to emphasize character education that focuses on respect, empathy, and responsibility. This can be integrated into the curriculum and reinforced through school-wide initiatives that celebrate positive behavior and create a sense of community.
Parental and Community Involvement
Involving parents and the broader community is essential. We should create partnerships where parents feel empowered to support positive behavior at home and work with schools to address issues before they escalate.
This isn't about more funding—it's about changing attitudes, setting clear expectations, and ensuring that everyone in our schools is working towards a common goal of respect and professionalism. Together, we can create a safe and supportive environment where every student can thrive.
2. What are the key points of your platform?
Committed to Excellence and Innovation in Education
As a father of three daughters in CCUSD, I am deeply invested in the future of our schools. My candidacy for the School Board is driven by a passion for education and a commitment to ensuring that every student in our community has access to the highest quality learning environment. My professional background in strategic leadership, marketing, and entrepreneurship equips me with the skills necessary to address the challenges our district faces and implement solutions that will benefit all students.
Educational Excellence and Student Achievement
I believe every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and that starts with a strong educational foundation. I will advocate for a curriculum that not only meets state standards but also challenges our students to think critically, solve problems creatively, and prepare for a complex future. I support initiatives that promote STEM education, the arts, advanced coursework, languages, CTE, and vocational training through programs like EVIT, ensuring our students are college and career-ready. I strongly believe in school choice as it gives us the chance to make CCUSD the school of choice, benefiting students, teachers, parents, and our community.
Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency
Managing our district’s budget wisely is crucial to maintaining and improving the quality of education without overburdening our taxpayers. I am committed to ensuring that every dollar is spent efficiently, prioritizing classroom needs and educational outcomes. As a recently appointed Board Member and current candidate, I am actively working with state legislators to help CCUSD financially benefit from adjusting the tax credit to ensure the community isn't burdened by bonds and overrides. I will continue to explore alternative funding mechanisms that allow CCUSD to access more equitable funding for competitive teacher salaries, expanded course offerings, and enhanced extracurricular programs without burdening taxpayers.
Safety and Well-Being of Students and Staff
The safety of our students and staff is non-negotiable. With our existing partnerships with local law enforcement, CCUSD is focused on maintaining a secure environment for all. I will continue to support and promote ongoing training and drills to prepare our staff and students for potential threats. Additionally, we must educate parents and the community on factors like social media that impact our students' emotional and psychological well-being, which is integral to creating a safe and positive school climate.
Community Engagement and Collaboration
I am committed to fostering a strong partnership between our schools and the wider community. I will continue to advocate for greater transparency in how decisions are made and ensure that every voice feels heard.
My campaign is built on transparency, enhancing educational excellence, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and fostering meaningful community engagement. I am running for CCUSD because I believe in the potential of our district. Together, we can create an educational environment where every child has the opportunity to succeed.
3. What is your stance on an override or bond?
Given the community's concerns and pushback on bonds and overrides, I believe we must explore alternative funding mechanisms. A key focus for me is increasing the tax donation credit for public schools, which currently stands at $400—significantly lower than the $1,495 and up that private schools receive. This disparity creates an uneven playing field in school choice, and by leveling this gap, we can provide more equitable opportunities for our students.
I'm committed to investigating how we can make our district exempt from bond and override measures. This could lead to $6.5–$7 million coming back to the district, allowing for competitive teacher salaries, the ability to offer more classes and flexibility to students, and elevating our sports and performing arts programs. My goal is to stay focused on strategically investing in resources that make our schools the top choice for parents and students, ensuring that we provide the best possible educational environment without relying on controversial funding methods.
4. What is your take on behavioral counselors in schools?
I believe that the primary responsibility for behavioral health falls on parents, while the school's role is to educate our children. However, it’s essential for parents and schools to maintain open lines of communication and collaborate to support our students' overall well-being. In my view, the focus of school counselors should be on guiding students toward life after high school, whether that path leads to college, trades, or job placement. By aligning counselors' roles with these goals, we can better prepare our students for their future careers and lives beyond graduation.
5. What are your qualifications for the Cave Creek School Board?
Thank you for the opportunity to share my qualifications and background as a candidate for the Cave Creek School Board. I believe that my extensive experience in business and leadership uniquely positions me to address the challenges our district faces, particularly when it comes to managing large budgets and improving educational outcomes.
Business Leadership
I have a proven track record in business leadership, particularly in marketing and strategic growth. Currently, I serve as the President of Dealer World, where I oversee the company’s strategic direction, operations, and financial health. My role involves managing multi-million-dollar budgets, leading a diverse team, and driving the company’s growth in a competitive industry. Additionally, I am a Board Member at Dealer Funnel, a company dedicated to innovative marketing solutions, where I contribute to high-level decision-making and strategic planning.
Beyond these roles, I run a speaking and consulting company, leveraging my extensive experience in business to help organizations and individuals achieve their strategic goals. Through this venture, I provide tailored consulting services and deliver keynote speeches on topics such as leadership, marketing, business strategy, and self-awareness, sharing actionable insights with audiences ranging from industry professionals to corporate leaders.
Previously, I co-founded Vistadash, a pioneering company in the automotive marketing analytics space, and led it as President. During my tenure, I successfully guided the company through two acquisitions, ensuring a smooth transition and continued growth before departing. This experience has equipped me with the ability to analyze complex financial data, make informed decisions, and implement strategies that drive efficiency and success.
Public Speaking and Thought Leadership
In addition to my business acumen, I am an accomplished speaker and author. I have had the honor of speaking about marketing strategies and tactics at Google, sharing insights with industry leaders on cutting-edge approaches to business growth. I frequently speak on topics such as leadership, marketing, business strategy, and self-awareness. Notably, I have spoken at prestigious events like TEDx Roseville and Gary Vaynerchuk’s Agent 2021, sharing my expertise in business growth, leadership, and innovation. My book, "Do Moore, Get More," reflects my commitment to empowering others with practical strategies for success—a philosophy I intend to bring to the school board.
Commitment to Education
While my professional background is rooted in business, my commitment to education runs deep. As a father of three daughters in the Cave Creek Unified School District, I am deeply invested in the quality of education in our community. My approach to education centers on common-sense policies, putting kids first, and thinking outside the box to solve challenges. I believe that my business skills—particularly in leadership, strategy, problem-solving, managing large budgets, and optimizing resources—are directly transferable to the school board, where we face similar challenges of balancing budgets while striving to enhance the educational experience for all students.
6. What are you most proud of contributing to our schools?
As a candidate for the CCUSD School Board, I’m excited to share my journey and what I’m most proud of contributing to our schools.
For the past six years, my wife and I have been actively involved in the district. We’ve attended school events, donated time, money, and resources to support the schools, sports programs, theater programs, and even hosted gatherings at our home for students and parents.
Since joining the board, I’ve made it a priority to attend as many events as possible, making myself available to listen, learn, and engage with our CCUSD community. I’ve been working on ways to address challenges like overcoming our inability to secure a bond or override, while also finding capital for replacing aging turf and repairing our track.
What makes me most proud is the example I set for my daughters. Many don’t know that my wife and I considered moving two of our girls out of CCUSD, but when the opportunity arose to fill the vacant board seat, I was reminded of a lesson I teach my girls: you can stand on the sidelines and point at the problem, or you can get in the game and use your skills to overcome it.
So, here I am—listening, learning, and working to make a positive impact. While some people and candidates may question my motives, this should sum it up for them: I’m proud not just of what I’m doing, but of the example I set for my girls every day. It’s not just about talking; it’s about taking action and showing up.
7. What is your stance on politics in schools?
I believe that schools should focus on education, not politics. Our primary goal should be creating an environment that prioritizes academic excellence, student well-being, and community values, free from divisive political agendas. I am committed to ensuring that schools remain places where core skills and knowledge are taught, allowing students to think critically and prepare for the future.
Values should come from the home, and while schools play an important role in teaching respect and citizenship, it’s essential that they stay neutral in political matters. My focus is on equipping students with the tools they need to succeed in life—whether in college, careers, or trades—without introducing unnecessary distractions or ideological debates in the classroom.
By keeping politics out of schools, we can ensure that our educators are focused on their primary mission: educating our children and preparing them for success.
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