New Team of AJUSD Governing Board Members Prepare for 2023 School Year

APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. - Jan. 2, 2023 - PRLog -- Local optician Gail Ross and reelected board member Dena Kimble will join forces with Bobby Bauders, Gilbert Cancio and Cami Garcia as newly inducted Apache Junction Unified School District Board members.

Ross was elected to fill the role of AJUSD Board President Chelsea Connolly whose term ends Dec. 31, 2022. AJUSD's newest board member has endorsed a return to the basic educational needs of reading, writing and arithmetic with a focus on teaching students self reliance and how to think and reason for themselves.

"I want our students to have the tools needed to make decisions in their future based on their needs and desires," said Ross. "We all question some of our choices, but having no regrets is most important, I think. Making decisions based on careful thought and rational thinking is the best education I believe we can give to any student."

Veteran school board member, Kimble, whose school board term will expire Dec. 31, 2022, opted to run for reelection to continue the work she has done for the past eight years. She said she will approach the new year with a focus on improving academics, recruiting and retaining quality teachers, increasing enrollment and improving the schools' letter grades.

Kimble and her husband, Raymond, have three children who have graduated from AJUSD schools. Prior and throughout her tenure as a board member, Kimble has supported the district by being an active volunteer and fundraiser.

The first governing board meeting of 2023 is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10 in the AJUSD District Office Board Room, 1575 W. Southern. The meeting can also be viewed online. At this meeting the board will elect a president and vice president.

School resumes Jan. 9 and openings for student enrollment are available at all school locations. There are also job openings available. For more information visit www.ajusd.org.