Laveen DO: Governing Board

Our Governing Board consists of five elected community members who volunteer their time and talents to help assure that our district delivers the best possible educational opportunities to our students. This includes helping district administrators set policy, hire and retain quality staff, and encourage parent involvement.

Anita Sakkas, Governing Board President Anita Sakkas currently serves as the Laveen Governing Board President and has served as a Board member since 2009. She has lived in Laveen for eight years and has a child attending Laveen Elementary School and one at Betty Fairfax High School. She is a Registered Nurse, an active member of the Laveen Parent/Teacher Organization, and a Youth Leader at the Laveen Baptist Church. Her term will expire December 2016.

Shari Gustafson, Clerk Shari Gustafson is currently serving the Laveen Governing Board as a Board Clerk. She has lived in Laveen for eleven years and has a child attending Trailside Point School. Ms. Gustafson has worked in higher education administration for the past 12 years and also serves on the Miss Arizona Scholarship Board of Directors. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Her term will expire December 2014.

Heather Farmer, Member Heather Farmer currently serves on the Laveen Governing Board as a member. She has lived in Laveen since 2006 and has two sons that previously attended Trailside Point School and now attend Betty Fairfax High School and Arizona State University. Ms. Farmer served as Trailside Point PTA President for four years and was a board member of the Trailside Point Homeowners Association. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology and a Master’s degree in Education. She is a Medical Technologist. Her term will expire December 2016.

Susan Sanborn, Member Susan Sanborn is currently serving the Laveen Governing Board as a member and has served since 2006. She has lived in Laveen for eight years and was a teacher in California for 32 years. She is currently a bookstore manager and an artist. Ms. Sanborn has served as the State Treasurer and Publication editor for the California Art Education Association, Board member of her neighborhood HOA, Vice President of the Laveen Art League, member of the Arizona Clay Association, member of the Arizona Art Education Association, and member of the Laveen Village Planning Committee. Ms. Sanborn's many years of being in the business of education have made her want to continue to help children get a quality education. Her term will expire December 2016.

Isaac Serna, Member Isaac Serna is currently serving the Laveen Governing Board as a member. He has served as Board Clerk and Board President. He has lived in Laveen for 43 years and attended M.C. Cash Elementary School. He is currently serving as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, Arizona Diamondback Ambassadors Club, Centro Adelante Campesina, and he is the founder and President of the Cash Community Sports Organization. Mr. Serna honorably served 10 years in the U.S. Navy. He has served on the Citizens Transportation Oversight Committee (ADOT), Maricopa County Parks Commission, Citizens Transit Commission, Southwest Phoenix Community Center, and South Mountain YMCA Youth Sports Commission. Mr. Serna has coached youth sports in soccer, softball, and baseball and has membership in the National Association of Latino Appointed and Elected Officials (NALEO) and Disabled American Veterans. His term will expire December 2014.

2008 South Mountain-Laveen Chamber of Commerce Spirit of South Mountain Award

On Saturday, February 23, 2008, the South Mountain-Laveen Chamber of Commerce recognized 14 local leaders and organizations whose community efforts have contributed to the growth, prosperity, and positive economic development throughout the South Mountain and Laveen villages. These groups were recognized at the group’s 3rd Annual Spirit of South Mountain Awards ceremony.

The Laveen Governing Board and Vista del Sur Traditional School were both nominated for the group’s award in the category of Education. We would like to congratulate Vista del Sur Traditional School for being chosen as a finalist for this award. A special congratulations goes to the Governing Board for being selected as the recipient of the 2008 South Mountain-Laveen Chamber of Commerce Spirit of South Mountain Award.

Highest Honor Award Photo

The Laveen District Governing Board was presented with the Lou Ella Kleinz Award of Excellence from the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) at their awards banquet on December 13, 2007. This prestigious award is presented annually by the ASBA to recognize the school district governing board that has demonstrated the most outstanding educational leadership in Arizona. The award is named in honor of former ASBA Executive Director Lou Ella Kleinz, who said, “As we pursue excellence in boardsmanship, our higher moral duty is to provide effective leadership in shaping the life-long attitudes of the young people in our communities.”

The Board received this honor for their initiative, action, and leadership in the following areas: a focus on students; a demonstrated progress in achieving goals; fostering of increased parental involvement; developing collaboration with social agencies and/or community groups, including other Governing Board bodies; and creation of a school community that fosters performance and innovation.

Congratulations to the Laveen District Governing Board for earning the highest honor the Arizona School Boards Association bestows on a governing board!

Governing Board Meeting information for all meetings (unless otherwise posted) is:

Time: 5:30 p.m.

When: Once a month

Where:
Laveen Education Center
5001 W. Dobbins Road
Laveen, AZ 85339

2012-2013 Meeting Schedule
2013-2014 Meeting Schedule

Board agendas are posted below and at all school sites. Board minutes are available at your local school office after the meeting. You can also visit our archives to view the minutes and agendas from past meetings.

Agenda

May 9, 2013

Minutes

Statement of Location Where All Notices of the Meetings of the Laveen Elementary School District No. 59 Governing Board Will Be Posted

Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02, the Laveen Elementary School District No. 59 Governing Board hereby states that all notices of the meetings of the Laveen Elementary School District Governing Board and any of its committees and subcommittees will be posted at the Laveen Elementary School District No. 59 District Office located at 5001 W. Dobbins Road, Laveen, Arizona 85339.

This location is open to the public Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., with the exception of legal holidays. Such notices will indicate the date, time, and place of the meetings and will include an agenda or information concerning the manner in which the public may obtain an agenda for the meeting.