Governing Board to reorganize Tuesday and elect president, clerk;
Joel Feldman to join Board as newest member

Newly appointed member Joel S. Feldman is expected to join with other Governing Board members at Tuesday’s meeting to reorganize and elect a president and clerk of the Board. This first order of business is necessary due to the resignation of President David Goldstaub, who chaired the last regular Board meeting May 13, before heading east to New York and a new job. Clerk Shari Avianantos chairs the meetings in the absence of a president.

Mr. Feldman was sworn in this past Friday by Maricopa County School Superintendent Sandra Dowling, who has the statutory authority to appoint persons to fill vacancies on local school district governing boards.

“Mr. Feldman has a great business background; he understands policy and management,” Dr. Dowling said.

Mr. Feldman has served for more than 25 years with corporations in the insurance/financial services industries. He attained the position of senior vice president and general counsel for two different, large corporations, as well as president of insurance subsidiary companies. Presently, he is regional vice president of First Health Corporation.

His wife Barbara serves as vice president of a large insurance company. Their three children have graduated from college. Mr. Feldman received his bachelor’s degree from The Citadel and a law degree from Tulane University.

Explaining why he submitted his name for consideration to fill the vacancy, Mr. Feldman said: “I have no agenda . . . except to have world class schools. I am here to work with the Board members, as well as with the superintendent and her staff, in establishing policies and goals resulting in all the District’s schools attaining world class status; to assure that these policies are clear and measurable; to provide the appropriate tools, consistent with good budgeting practices, to the educational professionals so that they can effectively execute on the policies and goals established by the Board; and, to hold accountable the educational professionals and their staffs for providing results. I want to assure that the Board is part of the solution, not part of the problem.”

Board member Sandra Zapien-Ferrero, who was present at the swearing in, commented afterward that Mr. Feldman appears to be knowledgeable, charismatic, and a dynamic leader. “We’re looking forward to working with him in support of the students of the Scottsdale District,” Mrs. Zapien-Ferrero said.
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