Redefinition is Key for Schools Leader

Yvonne Wingett
The Arizona Republic
Sunday, November 16, 2008

Superintendent-elect focuses on challenges.

The county's regional school district faces many challenges. Teachers and staff haven't been paid. Insurance and benefits have lapsed. And morale is at an all-time low, with the acrimonious departure of Sandra Dowling, and the closure of the Thomas J. Pappas schools for the homeless this summer.

For 20 years, Dowling ruled over Maricopa County Regional School District No. 509 and redefined the superintendent's position by expanding the role of non-traditional schools with the three Pappas schools. But those schools, the darlings of many local philanthropists, were closed after a long battle with the Board of Supervisors. After a long legal battle that Dowling mostly won, she decided not to run for re-election.

The new superintendent, Don Covey, will redefine the role again. His job will be mostly administrative, overseeing payroll, the home-school program, the school boards within county boundaries, and programs in juvenile-detention centers. A former superintendent of the Creighton Elementary District and assistant superintendent for educational services in the Phoenix High School District, Covey says he has the experience needed to get the district back on track.

Republic county reporter Yvonne Wingett talked with Covey, a Peoria Republican, to hear how he will approach the job when he assumes the role Jan. 1.

Question: Why did you want this job?

Answer: I've been in the great Valley of the Sun since 1962. I've been through all our K-12 operations as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, superintendent, assistant superintendent. You gain a lot of knowledge and experience, and . . . I believe it's incumbent upon the current generation to help future generations. This is an opportunity for me at my age and experience to give back to a community that's been so gracious to me in terms of great opportunities and successes.

Q: What are your plans for the first 100 days?

A: Get (the district) at fiscal sovereignty, where there's a cash flow so we meet our financial obligations for the staff, and the ancillary services the district provides. Second is educational support services . . . (such as) staff development types of programs.
The third is looking over our fiscal accountability. We have two districts that are in receivership currently, the Union Elementary School District and Saddle Mountain Unified School District. Those two school districts are under the county superintendent's watch. We want to be sure that they get cleared and are moving in a positive direction.

Q: What do you see as the fundamental problems or challenges of the county regional school district?

A: Right now there is a cash-flow issue, and they've not made payroll on a couple of occasions, as well as sometimes having their benefits suspended because of the premiums not being paid. Currently, that seems to be working well, but I'm not sure it is totally resolved.
There's a cash-flow (problem), there's question about the money being available to pay the staff and provide education for the young people who are temporarily incarcerated in detention centers.

Q: What is your plan to resolve these issues?

A: First is to have an audit to see where we are . . . We have to be sure we're solvent. I also would do a program audit to see that we are providing . . . the best educational programs for these young people so they're successful when they get back to their home schools.

Q: How do you improve morale?

A: Staff morale is an issue. First and foremost, you have to make sure they get paid on time, and that there are no infringements upon their health benefits or their medical benefits. There is a good corps of staff people who are dedicated to help these young people, even to the point where they're willing to go without pay for a time, and stay the course. That is complimentary to the staff, who I have met any at all. And second, provide good, effective leadership. Let them know that there is support for them and that they're not out there alone doing the job themselves - that somebody is really mindful of good educational practices and leadership. Let them know that you have their interest at heart, and you're willing to work your . . . best to make sure they're successful in their job.

Q: With the Pappas schools closed, the only instruction that remains are programs in the juvenile-detention centers. Do you plan to continue the current teaching model as is, or have you thought about contracting with a public school district to take over those duties?

A: It's premature at this time, quite honestly, until I have time to visit the schools and talk to the (staff).

Q. How will you mend relationships with other county officials, which have been strained over the past few years with Dowling and district staff?

A. I believe so strongly in positive working relationships. I can't impact what's happened in the past. We start with the now, and we move to the future. We learn from the past, obviously, but we don't dwell and carry those forward. We want to go in a positive direction.

Reach the reporter at 602-444-4712 or yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com.

Press Release -- Dr. Covey Establishes Friendly Approach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DR. DON COVEY ESTABLISHES FRIENDLY APPROACH
TO POLITICAL CAMPAIGNING

Republican Candidate Won’t Use Traditional Means of Campaign Signage

PHOENIX--Don Covey, longtime educator and Republican candidate for Maricopa County School Superintendent has announced he is establishing a new, more environmentally friendly approach of promoting his campaign. Instead of using the traditional means of campaign signage, Covey states his supporters are taking his campaign on the road … literally.

"We set out to find a more engaging, innovative way to advertise and promote our campaign. After numerous brain storming sessions with the Covey2008 team, and Creative Consultant Dusty Schmidt, we developed a unique branding solution. We landed on the ‘Thought Bubble’ or ‘Speech Balloon’ decal concept," Covey stated.

The ten-inch Covey for Superintendent decal is positioned on the lower center of the rear window of any automobile. From behind, the "pointer" appears to come from the driver's head asking readers to vote for Covey. Schmidt states, "It's simple, eye-catching, effective campaigning and may set a new trend for political signage providing ‘less stress’ to Maricopa County environments. It campaigns with a smile without other negative issues found with traditional signage.”

"We want to make the statement this campaign is going to do things differently, more progressively. We are wide open to fresh ideas and unique collaborative approaches to problem-solving on behalf of all school-aged youth attending schools in Maricopa County,” states Covey.

Primary Election Results!

We are pleased to announce that Don received an impressive 148,340 votes out of a total of approximately 316,000 cast votes in the September 2nd Primary Election. This resounding support emphasizes the County Elector's desire and need for education reform and a new county school administration based on trust, cooperation and, innovative ideas. We've been very busy attending numerous meetings across the County discussing the future of Maricopa County education. We are now on the General Ballot for November 4th.

Comments and questions are always welcomed on this site. Please click on the "comment" link under each blog posting.

Many Thanks -- Covey 2008 Committee

Latest News ...

County to See New Schools Chief

Michelle Reese
Tribune
August 17, 2008 7:00 p.m.

For the first time in two decades, Maricopa County is going to have a new superintendent of schools.

Don Covey, a former superintendent for other districts in the Valley, is the lone candidate on the ballot for Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools.

Covey likely will replace Sandra Dowling, who was first elected in 1988 and is leaving the job after being elected to five four-year terms.

The changing of the guard comes on the heels of Dowling's 20 years in office, the last of which saw her plead guilty to a misdemeanor after being indicted on 25 felony charges.

Covey, 69, a Republican, said he was asked to run for his first political office by fellow school administrators. In his decades in education, Covey has served as superintendent of the Creighton Elementary School District, assistant superintendent for educational services in the Phoenix Union High School District and a principal, assistant principal and educator.

"They figured ... would it make a difference if someone who has been in the classroom teaching and as a school principal and as an assistant superintendent and superintendent, what would that mean to help the 600,000 students in Maricopa County?"

Covey said he supports all types of education, bethey traditional or nontraditional such as home schooling, private or charter schools.

"My philosophy is wherever a student can do the best in, with parent support or guardian support, they can succeed," he said from Colorado in July, where he was visiting his alma mater.

When asked why he is running, Covey listed a few reasons.

First, he wants to help students achieve success. He wants to work with the state department of education and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne to help schools meet the No Child Left Behind law. Second, he wants to offer support to teachers and administrators. Last, he wants to help schools be fiscally responsible.

According to state statute, the county school district superintendent's office is charged with helping smaller districts with budget and finance issues.

"The district puts a budget forth with the coordination of the county treasurer's office. We're accountable for the budget and making sure they're operating accordingly," he said.

Tim Tyree is the Yuma County superintendent of schools and president of the Arizona County School Superintendents Association.

"I remember a while back walking out of church and my pastor saying, 'What does the county sup do?'" Tyree said.

There are the statute duties, such as financial, that the offices take care of. But there's also the service side of it, Tyree said.

"That piece of it may vary very much from county to county. There are some things that I do that are prescribed by statutes but after that it's what you make of it," he said.

During Dowling's term, she started a school for homeless children in Maricopa County,

"In our county we run a small alternative school for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. We have some students who get into trouble from time to time ... we have a school where they essentially get another chance," Tyree said.

Comments and questions are always welcomed on this site. Please click on the "comment" link under each blog posting.

Many Thanks -- Covey 2008 Committee

Don Covey is Headed to the Primary Election ...

It’s been awhile since our last update and we’re proud to announce the petition has been filed with the Maricopa County Elections Department with 487 pages and 5,464 signatures. There were only 23 signatures not accepted! Petitions continued to come in and as of last count, there was a total of 5,972 signatures. More than enough to qualify for the minimum number of 3,165 signatures and exceeding our goal of 5,000 signatures!

Additional documentation, the Nomination Paper Affidavit of Qualifications for Candidate "Maricopa County School Superintendent,” as well as the Financial Disclosure Statement for Candidate "Maricopa County School Superintendent” have been filed. It appears that all is completed and ready for the September 2nd Primary Election. As of this posting, no other candidate from the Republican or Democrat party has filed to run in the Primary or General Election.

As always, we welcome your comments and questions on this site. Please click on the "comment" link under each blog posting.

Many Thanks -- Covey 2008 Committee

Arizona Republican Calendar of Events

Here is a direct link to the AZ GOP Calendar of Events. You may click here for Arizona Republican events, in your area, that you might like to attend to acquire valid Republican signatures.

Comments and questions are always welcomed on this site. Please click on the "comment" link under each blog posting.

Many Thanks -- Covey 2008 Committee

Latest News ...

The Arizona Republic announces Don Covey's plans to run for County Superintendent.

Yvonne Wingett
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 28, 2008 12:00 AM

Longtime educator Don Covey has announced plans to run for the office of Maricopa County superintendent of schools.

Covey, a Republican, has filed a political-committee statement of organization with the county elections department and said he plans to be on the September primary-election ballot.

"I have had a lot of experience in the field and my heart and soul has always been for young people and education," said Covey, 69, of Peoria. "(I) can provide a tremendous wealth of experience to move forward."

Covey is a former superintendent of the Creighton Elementary District and has won the Arizona Superintendent of the Year award. He also has served as assistant superintendent for educational services in the Phoenix Union High School District. Covey is the CEO of Covey and Associates Inc., an education and management consulting firm.

Sandra Dowling, the current county schools superintendent, relinquished control of some of her responsibilities last year in a cloud of controversy. The district includes programs in juvenile detention, rehabilitation centers and the state hospital.

Reach the reporter at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4712.


Comments and questions are always welcomed on this site. Please click on the "comment" link under each blog posting.

Many Thanks -- Covey 2008 Committee