Farr, Lisanne “Lisa”
Meet the Candidate

Running For:
School BoardDistrict:
Paradise Valley Unified School DistrictPhone:
(602) 361-9134Age:
55Occupation:
RetiredEducation:
B.S. in Marketing from Arizona State University and M.A. in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, from Chapman UniversityBiographical Info:
I grew up in AZ and have resided in the PVUSD since 2004. I have been married for over 18 years to my husband, Scott Farr, and our son currently attends high school within the district. I earned my M.A. degree in Education, specializing in Curriculum & Instruction from Chapman University. I also attended Arizona State University on a Regent’s academic scholarship and graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors and a B.S. degree in Marketing. While attending ASU, I was a Communications Teaching Assistant. After obtaining my M.A. degree in Education, I spent time in the classroom teaching second grade. I’m retired and have the necessary time to dedicate to the district. Most importantly, having a child in the district gives me a vested interest in the district’s success.
I also have an extensive business background as a Sales & Business Development Director overseeing Digital Advertising for AutoTrader.com and KBB for the West coast. Prior to this position, I worked as a Senior Account Executive in the Information Technology field helping major corporations align IT and Business initiatives and create operational efficiencies. Consultative solutions included Digital Intelligence, E-Business, Enterprise Architecture, Infrastructure Services, and Wireless/Mobile computing initiatives.
My charitable volunteer experience has included financial support and volunteer hours with organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Child Crisis Center, Junior Achievement, Feed My Starving Children, and St. Mary’s Food Bank. Below are just some of my contributions to PVUSD:
Classroom volunteer every year, apart from district imposed Covid restrictions
Chaperoned countless school trips
Volunteered for Project Graduation at Pinnacle High
Volunteered multiple years for Field Days
Volunteered for the Drug Prevention event at Desert Trails
Helped teachers make copies and grade math assignments
Taught Junior Achievement in the classroom for multiple years
Gave Career Day presentations at Explorer for multiple years
Photography Chair, JV and Varsity Baseball Team Lead for Pinnacle Baseball
Volunteered to read 100 Senior Essays and submit feedback
Helped serve lunch on Teacher Appreciation Day
Financial donations to PVUSD for 12 years
Statement:
I am running for PVUSD School Board because PVUSD needs Board members who will focus on academic success rather than political agendas and divisive ideologies. We need Board members who will respect 1-602. Parents’ bill of rights:
A. All parental rights are reserved to a parent of a minor child without obstruction or interference from this state, any political subdivision of this state, any other governmental entity or any other institution, including:
1. The right to direct the education of the minor child.
2. All rights of parents identified in title 15, including the right to access and review all records relating to the minor child.
3. The right to direct the upbringing of the minor child.
4. The right to direct the moral or religious training of the minor child.
My unique blend of both Education and Business experience coupled with my passion for education and children will help move PVUSD in the right direction. I believe I have the necessary background and skills along with the right motivations to be an asset to PVUSD.
Education & Business Background
Former Teacher with a M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction
Business Leadership Experience with a History of Documented Success
Child in the District
Advocate for Students, Teachers, & Parents
My top priorities as a Board member would be:
Academic Excellence
Recruiting and Retaining Quality Teachers
Direct More Money to the Classroom
Address Declining Enrollment and Test Scores
5. The right to make health care decisions for the minor child, including rights pursuant to sections 15-873, 36-2271 and 36-2272, unless otherwise prohibited by law.
Survey
Response Legend
- SSupports
- OOpposes
- *Comment
- −Declined to respond
- Declined to respond, Position based on citation
Question | Response | Comments/Notes |
---|---|---|
1. Requiring school officials, including teachers, to inform parents about their child’s social, mental, emotional, or physical health | S* | Schools and teachers need to work together with parents. Information should not be withheld from parents about their children. |
2. Allowing parents to opt their children out of activities or lessons they find offensive to their personal, moral, or religious beliefs | S | |
3. Increasing state and local taxes to provide more funding for schools and school facility projects | O* | PVUSD closed six schools due to declining enrollment. The district needs to better manage their budget and direct more funds to teachers and classrooms. |
4. Requiring signed permission from a parent before a student may participate in any sexuality related instruction, activities, or clubs. | S | |
5. Allowing all parents to use tax credits, vouchers, or education savings accounts to enable children to attend any public, charter, private, homeschool, or online academy | S | |
6. Requiring full-day kindergarten for all students | -* | I like having full-day kindergarten as an option for families; however, I do not believe it should be a requirement. |
7. Mandating sex education classes for 5th-12th grade students | O* | I support options, not mandates. |
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. masters degrees) | S* | I fully support teacher pay raises and bonuses based on merit. |
9. Implementing policies to allow students and faculty to use the restroom, locker room, and shower room that aligns with their gender identity | O | |
10. Teaching what is known as diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI); social, emotional learning (SEL); or critical race theory (CRT) in public schools. | O | |
11. Increasing academic (curriculum) transparency by requiring each public school to post online for parents and the public a list of all instructional materials being used in the classroom. | S* | I support curriculum transparency without placing an unreasonable expectation on teachers. |