3 running for MUHSD board

Three candidates are running for two 4-year seats on the Mingus Union High School District Governing Board. An additional 2-year seat is open after MUHSD Board Member Greg Roeller resigned earlier this year because of a health issue.

County Schools Superintendent Tim Carter did not name anyone to fill Roeller’s seat, but will appoint the third-place candidate to serve from mid-November 2022 until Dec. 31, 2024.

Candidates Dr. Misty Cox, Austin Babcock and incumbent Carol Teague answered questions.

What motivated you to run for school board?

• Cox: I have a passion for education and want to see our students thrive and excel. I believe that it is our job as parents and a community to help shape the lives of our children and give them every opportunity to be successful.
• Babcock: As a father of eight, I have two MUHS graduates, two current MUHS students, and four MUHS potentials. I want my kids, and all kids, to be successful and prepared for the future. I want them to discover and develop their talents and interests. A solid high school education and high school experience is a big part of that.
• Teague: When I ran for and was elected to the Mingus Union High good people on its Board were communicating that they were not going to continue. There were some extremely important issues on the horizon for Mingus. [There still are — Arizona is a prosperous state, yet is the third worst in K-12 per-student spending. Today, public schools took another financial blow from the state of Arizona, so we will go down another notch or two].

Have you ever held a public office?

• Cox: While I have never held a public office, I have had several leadership positions throughout college and optometry school, including Student Government Association and American Optometric Student Association Liaison.
• Babcock: No.
• Teague: I have been on the Mingus Union High School Governing Board for four years, one year as vice president and the past three years as president.

What do you hope to accomplish, if elected?

• Cox: As a board member, I will fight for student success by providing appropriate resources to help students become productive and prosperous members of society. I will promote community participation and advocate for parental involvement to ensure that leadership is transparent. I plan to get back to the basics by supporting great teachers and focusing on traditional education. I will also champion safety and ensure a safe and drug free environment on campus.
• Babcock: I have four issues that I am concerned about: ensure and improve school safety; ensure parent choice and consent; ensure academic transparency; and ensure that schools focus on ABC’s and 123’s.
• Teague: I want to continue what we’ve started. The entire structure of Mingus [Union] High School is focused on the education and growth of ALL of our students. We’ve made huge strides in our educational offerings, our culture, and our outreach to the parents and our community. We’ve hired amazing and excellent people. We’ve made our voters aware of the attack on public schools in Arizona and encouraged them to vote for legislators who support our schools.

How long have you lived in the area?

• Cox: 6 years.
• Babcock: My family and I moved here nine years ago.
• Teague: I was born in Prescott 62 years ago, and was raised in Prescott. My son and I moved to Cottonwood when I was 17. We moved to Arkansas when I was 24, and came home to Cottonwood two years later. I’ve lived in the Verde Valley ever since.

Please describe your background (interests, hobbies, work experience).

• Cox: I was born and raised in Tennessee and moved to Arizona in 2009 to attend the Arizona College of Optometry. After graduation in 2013, I completed a residency in Primary Care and Low Vision Rehabilitation at the Birmingham, VA Medical Center. I moved to the Verde Valley in 2016 and began practicing optometry alongside my husband. I thoroughly enjoy working in this community and have been blessed to meet many wonderful people. I am a small business owner and mother. I enjoy spending time with family, horseback riding, and hiking.
• Babcock: I am a dentist in Sedona. I enjoy woodworking, gardening, hiking, biking, camping, visiting new places, and spending time with my kids and family.
• Teague: I’ve been a full-time Realtor in the Verde Valley for 34 years. I was a single mom for my two sons, both of them now exemplary men and fathers. Between my career, being President of MUHS’ Governing Board and this huge dog that I just adopted, my hands are pretty full.

Are you currently involved with any organizations @ MUHS?

• Cox: Not currently, but I look forward to becoming a part of the MUHS community.
• Babcock: Yes and no. I have supported and will continue to support my kids in their activities. Those are and have been: cross country, track, swimming, wrestling, tennis, leadership, art, choir, theater, AP classes, honors classes, and VACT. Directly involved — no but, highly indirectly involved — yes.
• Teague: I’m the current President of the Governing Board.

Why should voters select you as their candidate?

• Cox: Change is a result of doing things differently, and it is time for change. Our children are the future of our great community and our nation, and we must put their success first. I will fight for parental rights and a transparent and traditional curriculum. As a small business owner, I know the importance of dedication and being fiscally responsible, and I will use this knowledge to retain great teachers and avoid wasteful spending. We must demand more for our students, and it is time to act. I will not accept mediocrity but will strive for excellence. I will steadfastly represent the parents and families of this great community.
• Babcock: I am a parent with past, current, and future MUHS students. In fact, if elected, I will be the only board member with children that are currently attending MUHS. I believe this gives me a unique perspective on the issues facing parents and students. In addition to being an informed parent, I am also a small business owner. I’ve learned to recognize problems and logically find clear solutions. I’ve learned that business success relies on my team and I working together to resolve concerns and to find long lasting solutions.I will come to the school board with the ability to establish and maintain tradition and success, because I listen carefully, think intentionally and solve rationally.
• Teague: I wholeheartedly appreciate that people vote. I’m forever grateful for their support and votes of confidence.