School Board
Rich’s need for power supersedes what is best for Fountain Hills’ students
A timeline of Rich’s nefarious behavior related to the FHUSD
Rich’s wife Judy was a school board member who regularly voted for non-conservative items include SEL and other “woke” policies
2021 - conservative candidates stepped up to run for FHUSD Board and went to Rich for guidance since he was Chairman of LD3, and his wife was a current board member. Rich attempted to intimidate them into not running stating- “my wife is running again and if she doesn’t I will. You should not run.” There were three spots open, yet Rich was only concerned with his personal situation and was ok with losing the other seats as long as he or his wife could hold the seat
Despite his threats the candidates ran, and Rich refused to endorse them. Instead he asked other local “leaders” to endorse his wife and no others, which they did
Unfortunately, for Rich, his wife’s poor voting record damaged her popularity, and she was floundering in the race. Rich then went back to the candidates he tried to run out of the race and now attempted to force them onto a “Golden Ticket” with his wife to help carry her across the finish line
Rich’s wife ended up passing away and did not finish the race but even that did not stop Rich; he did not support the conservative candidates even when meetings were called with the sole purpose of drumming up support for the conservative candidates. As Chairman of LD3 at the time, Rich’s sole responsibility was to recruit and promote conservatives and he did the exact opposite. At the meeting Rich never voiced any support for any of the conservative candidates who where there and spoke to the group. After the speakers finished an attendee asked Rich about there being three spots open and only two people spoke, and who should be supported for the final spot. Rich responded by saying- “I know who it should be; I will talk to you later about it.” Why would he not openly endorse the candidates at a meeting solely called to help get the conservative candidates elected?
2022 – two of the candidates were elected and Rich immediately created the “role” of Liaison between the School Board and LD3 and then promptly appointed himself to the role. He never spoke to anyone in LD3, nor did he speak with any of the school board members. He simply made it up, appointed himself, and began meddling in school board business
2022 – Rich approached Superintendent John Horne to hold a meeting about the FHUSD in Fountain Hills. Again, Rich, with no actual affiliation to the School Board scheduled a public meeting with John Horne and did not speak to anyone on the School Board or even alert them to the meeting. Clearly the meeting was solely an attempt to insert himself into School Board business even though he was not elected, nor did he have any official affiliation with the FHUSD
2024 – Fountain Hills School Board members resigned leaving openings on the board. Rich again did not speak to or work with the current board but lobbied Steven Watson with promises he could help him get reelected. Unfortunately, with political wheeling and dealing Rich was appointed to the school board even though he supported a bond that was defeated by 14-points two elections in a row. The town did not want spend happy representatives, yet he coerced his way onto the board
Since his appointment on the School Board Rich has acted exactly as expected – he has voted for every single spending item that has been presented by the superintendent and the board President. So, while Rich claims to be conservative, has sided every single time with the leftist members on spending and has been a rubber stamp for each and every reckless spending item. While schools are failing, losing enrollment, and needing to reign in budgets, he spends like a drunken frat boy on spring break
2024 November – Rich has already put his name in to run for school board. A vote for Rich is a vote for mindless spending and destruction of Fountain Hills schools