Rooks, Heather

Meet the Candidate

Running For:
School Board
District:
Peoria Unified School District
Phone:
(623) 688-3370
Age:
32
Occupation:
Wife and mother
Education:
Two years of college and high school graduate
Biographical Info:

Heather grew up in the Peoria Unified School District and is a proud graduate of Sunrise Mountain High School. Before becoming a wife and mother, she spent 3 years at Glendale Community College studying for an education degree. Heather started this journey when her autistic child was denied a mask exemption at school. From there, Heather met Devon Updegraff-Day and together they have spent the last year advocating for children’s education along with parental rights. She is an advocate for special education having two children on IEPs. Heather has attended board meetings in the Peoria Unified School District and she has found a way through public records to share the truth. Through this journey, she has met many parents who have also joined together to stand up for their own children’s education and choices. Her husband, Aaron Rooks and her family are supporting her candidacy for Peoria Unified School Board Member in the November election. Together Heather Rooks and Devon Updegraff-Day will bring back academics, transparency and partnership with parents and the community.

Statement:

These past two years have been inspiring with meeting courageous parents, caring community members and strong education advocates. I want a brighter future for kids in Peoria and for kids in America. I grew up in the Peoria Unified School District with an amazing education experience. I want the same for not only my children but all children in Peoria. Parents rights are extremely important in education and to me. From curriculum transparency to medical freedoms to special education; Those rights need to be protected. I will bring back academics, parental involvement and transparency to the Peoria Unified School District.

Endorsements:

Arizona Free Enterprise Club

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* Parents have the right to this information and all the staff/teachers in the school districts need to give this information to parents.
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
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 S
7. Mandating sex education classes for 5th-12th grade students O
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
9. Implementing policies to allow students and faculty to use the restroom, locker room, and shower room that aligns with their gender identity O* I will make sure no transgender boys are in girls bathrooms and showers.
10. Teaching what is known as diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI); social, emotional learning (SEL); or critical race theory (CRT) in public schools. O* There will be no teaching of CRT, equity, diversity, SEL when I become a board member with Devon Updegraff-Day.
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