Barron, Heather

Meet the Candidate

Running For:
School Board
District:
Buckeye Union High School District
Age:
50
Occupation:
Lead School Psychologist
Education:
Ma, EdS, BCBA
Family:
1 Daughter
Biographical Info:

My name is Heather Barron and I am 50 years old residing in Estrella/Goodyear, AZ. I have an amazing 19 year old daughter who is beginning her educational journey in the schools. I grew up for the most part in Yankton, SD. I received my BA from the University of Central Florida and my Masters of School Counseling and EdS of School Psychology from the University of South Dakota. I began my School Psychology career working for Educational Service Unit #1 (ESU#1) in Wakefield, NE serving several school, including the majority of my career on the reservation. After over 15 years with ESU#1, my family decided it was time to make a change. We moved to Arizona, where I began working for the Buckeye Elementary School District as the Lead Psychologist. I am beginning my 5th school year with this outstanding district. Throughout my adulthood I have supported the efforts of schools and all children, including being a active member of the PTA , Special Olympics cheer coach, EFHS site council member, and BUHSD education foundation board member.

Statement:

As a proud daughter of a family of educators, I have dedicated my entire career to supporting youth, serving as a school psychologist for over 20 years- including 15 deeply rewarding years working on a Native American reservation. When my family and I moved to Arizona in 2022, I immediately became involved in the Buckeye Union High School District as a parent when my daughter began attending Estrella Foothills High School. That firsthand experience as a parent, combined with my extensive professional background in student mental health and academic development, fuels my deep passion for advocating for the success of all students. I am running for the school board to bring this unique perspective to our district, ensuring every student in our growing community has the support, resources, and inclusive environment they need to thrive.

Survey

Response Legend

  • SSupports
  • OOpposes
  • *Comment
  • −Declined to respond
  • †Declined to respond, Position based on citation
Question Response Comments/Notes
1. Requiring district and charter school officials, including teachers, to inform parents about their child’s social, mental, emotional, or physical health. S* I support schools and parents having open communication and working together to support every child's well being.
2. Allowing parents to opt their children out of activities or lessons that offend their personal, moral, or religious beliefs. S
3. Increasing state and local taxes to provide more funding for schools and school facility projects. S* I support increasing state and local taxes to better support student growth and student access to education.
4. Requiring signed permission from a parent before a student may participate in any sexuality related instruction, activities, or clubs. S* I support signed permission for activities and clubs as long as it is requiring it for all clubs and activities across the board.
5. Allowing all parents to use tax credits and publicly funded empowerment scholarship accounts to enable their children to attend any private, homeschool, or online academy of their choice. O
6. Making available books and instructional materials that include sexually explicit images and themes in school classrooms and libraries. S* I support age appropriate books and instructional materials as has been the standard throughout the history of education.
7. Acquiring parental consent for school faculty and staff to refer to students by pronouns that do not align with the student’s birth sex. S* I support schools and families working together as a student navigates their identity.
8. Allocating teacher pay raises based upon merit rather than providing uniform salary schedule increases based upon years of teaching or additional credentialing (e.g. master’s degrees). O
9. Implementing policies to allow students and faculty to use the restroom, locker room, and shower room based on self-identification rather than biological sex. S* I support implementing policies that include gender neutral restrooms rather than assigned male/female restrooms.
10. Teaching what is known as diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI); social, emotional learning (SEL); or critical race theory (CRT) in public schools. S
11. Requiring each district and charter school to post online a list of all curriculum and instructional materials being used in the classroom. S