Page 12 - The Edge - Back to School 2017

BY DON HARRIS

Chuck Essigs Is Among Top Arizonans

to Know in Public Education

Chuck Essigs

Chuck Essigs, AASBO’s Director of Government Relations, His advice to someone who wants to build a career similar to
ranks among the top 20 Arizonans in the eld of education. Essigs his: “Talk to existing school business o cials and you will nd that
is considered one of the go-to-people in education, according to individuals start out in di erent ways. Get to know your local school
the Phoenix Business Journal. district and attend some school board meetings. Getting your rst job
“It’s an honor to be part of that group,” Essigs said. He suggested in the business o ce gets you started.”
that he’s a fan of most of them, but not necessarily all of those on Technology is the coolest trend in education today, Essigs said.
the list. “Technology is rapidly expanding in education. We need to make sure
“To be selected like that, I’m honored and humbled,” Essigs that high-speed internet and online teaching support is available to
said. “It’s just as much of a recognition of the role that AASBO help teachers teach. We need to get teachers better paid and we need
plays in the state as I’d get for me as an individual. It really is a to give them the support that is needed so technology is available in
credit to AASBO because of the role I play and continue to play, all of our schools and all of our classrooms.”
and it demonstrates the respect the Legislature and the press have Essigs identi ed the biggest change in the eld of education in
for the work that AASBO does. I couldn’t do what I do without recent years as a growing involvement of the private sector. “I have
that connection. I don’t think I’d be part of that list.” recently seen the business community realize that to have economic
David Lewis, Executive Director of AASBO, said, “ is is a development in Arizona, we need to invest more in our public schools.
great recognition for what Chuck has done for education in When only two states invest less per pupil (than Arizona does) in
Arizona.” public schools, then many companies do not feel that Arizona’s public
e list was published at random and not in any particular schools will have the resources needed to provide the trained workers.”
order. Essigs’ name showed up third, prompting Lewis to say, e greatest challenge education faces in Arizona is for public
“ ey got it wrong. He is actually the Number One name to know schools to o er the state’s diverse population the education services
in education in Arizona!” needed so that all students can succeed, Essigs said.
Others in the top 20 included Lattie Coor, chairman and CEO, On a personal side, Essigs described his fondest memory from
Center for the Future of Arizona and former ASU president; his educational experience. “I am the rst individual in our family to
Reginald M. Ballantyne III, immediate past president, State Board graduate from college,” he said, “and it was such a good feeling to see
of Education; Kevin McCarthy, president, Arizona Tax Research the pride that my mother and father had when I graduated. ey were
Association; Jaime A. Molera, partner, Molera Alvarez and former there for me when I needed their support and it makes me see what a
state superintendent of public instruction; Eileen B. Sigmund, critical role parents play in the education process.”
president and CEO, Arizona Charter Schools Association; Paul e key component to a quality education system is having skilled
J. Luna, president and CEO, Helios Education Foundation; Lisa teachers and support sta , he said, adding, “Teachers need support
Graham Keegan, e Keegan Co., and former state superintendent and ongoing training. Teachers need respect and to be treated
of public instruction; Timothy Ogle, executive director, Arizona professionally. Arizona needs to do a better job of increasing teacher
School Boards Association; and Eileen Klein, president, Arizona compensation.”
Board of Regents. Essigs was asked to comment on Arizona’s greatest strengths and
Essigs and the others responded to a series of questions posed weakness in education. Regarding strengths, he said, “We have many
by the Business Journal. outstanding leaders and teachers in our public schools. Arizona needs
Asked how he got into this profession, Essigs replied, “I to make sure that we invest in our future and that we invest in our
started out as a special education teacher, and while working at public schools.”
the Arizona Department of Education, I was assigned to work As for weaknesses: “We need to provide additional resources for
with the Legislature to be part of the sta working on revising the our public schools. Twenty- ve years ago, the per-pupil funding in
school nance formula in 1980, and have been working on school Arizona was at 88 percent of the U.S. average. Today, we fund public
nance issues since that time.” schools at 68 percent of the U.S. average. For every $1 spent on the
What he likes best about what he does is, “Helping school average student in the U.S., we are asking our Arizona public schools
districts understand how the school funding formula works and to compete, but are only providing 68 cents.”
keeping school districts informed about changes in the formula. Considering his listing by the Business Journal, Essigs joked:
Also, working with schools to solve problems.” “Maybe they had to get an old guy to ll a slot.”

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