Dear Friends: Thank you for visiting my Web site and providing me the opportunity to tell you about myself, my background, and my vision for Arizona. As a public school administrator and educator for 37 years, I know the future of Arizona because I have seen that future in our classrooms. I know the difference a quality education makes in providing our students the foundation for learning and the inspiration for innovation. As the leader of one of the state's largest employers, I also understand that the primary priority of our legislature must be job creation and economic stabilization through fiscally responsible measures that fuel growth now and in the future. Furthermore, our strategies for growth must be sustainable through prudent use of resources, be they fiscal, environmental, community-based, and more. Like you, I want an Arizona that supports people and businesses alike, that values education of our youth, that creates opportunities for job and economic growth. Like you, I want a state government in which elected officials work together to find solutions to challenges and overcome obstacles. Like you, I want a strong and vibrant Arizona. I hope to contribute to that Arizona by serving you in the Arizona House of Representatives from District 8. Thanks again for your interest, John Kriekard

John A. Kriekard, Ed.D. Born and raised in Wisconsin, John, an Eagle Scout, attended Kalamazoo College in Michigan, earning a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. After spending two years in the US Army during the Vietnam War, John returned to college, obtaining a master’s degree in history from Western Michigan University. He began his career in education as a middle school teacher in Michigan before moving to Arizona in 1977. John received his doctorate in educational administration from Arizona State University in 1985. John spent the next 32 years in education, primarily in the Scottsdale Unified School District as principal of Chaparral High School and of Mountainside Middle School as well as assistant superintendent overseeing the planning of Desert Mountain High School and Mountainside Middle School.  John was named superintendent of the Paradise Valley Unified School District in 2003, immediately initiating an extensive long-range planning process to chart the district’s direction for the ensuing five years. Under his leadership, PVUSD increased teachers’ salaries and positions, dramatically improved school labels of student achievement, and advanced technological innovation in both curriculum and instruction. State and national recognition followed, including being named Arizona’s Superintendent of the Year for Large Districts and receiving the Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award from the National School Public Relations Association, both in 2007. John retired in 2009 but continues to consult with the Rodel Foundation, school districts, and other organizations. A graduate of the first class of Scottsdale Leadership, John is the founding president of the Desert Ridge Kiwanis and co-chair of the Paradise Valley Community College President’s Circle, and was active as an executive board member of the North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and board member of the Scottsdale Prevention Institute. John was recently appointed the Four Peaks District Commissioner of the Grand Canyon Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He has served in numerous professional organizations, including president of the Arizona Interscholastic Association 4A and 5A Conferences, board member of the Central Arizona Middle Level Association, and member of the Arizona School Administrators Legislative Council. John’s wife Janey is the science curriculum specialist for the Scottsdale Unified School District. Daughters Emily and Erin are both teachers and son Peter is a cardiology fellow at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. John believes that a dynamic educational system is key to the future of our children, our communities, our businesses, and our state. As the leader of one of the state’s larger employers, he understands the critical need to create and maintain jobs as well as find ways to enrich and diversify our economy.

 

Education  •  Economy and Job Creation  •  Sustainability

Education

Education of our youth is the foundation of America’s current and future success. As a public education administrator for 37 years, I have been on the front line of preparing our students for an increasingly competitive world with decreasing dollars to schools due to choices made by our legislature. In Arizona, we must truly invest in public education ­ especially science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, which is known as STEM ­ so that our students can secure quality jobs over people from around the globe. They need to learn not just basic literacy, including history and the arts, but 21st century skills such as higher order thinking, creative problem solving, and collaboration. To do so requires the other basics of the classroom: smaller class sizes, highly effective teachers, and the tools and people to support both. Additionally, the investment we need to make goes beyond critical additional funding ­ it requires partnerships between the state and major industries that rely on public education to shape an effective workforce. Not a new concept, but the marrying of commerce and education certainly could produce excellent results for Arizona.

 

Economy and Job Creation

The state legislature must take a long-term look at our economy and the solutions needed to attract and retain businesses in Arizona. Appropriate tax incentives and commercial real estate advantages form only part of the picture. People want to live in places that provide a high quality of life for them and their families. To meet this need, we should be able to point with pride to a strong educational system from pre-kindergarten through college, quality and plentiful cultural activities, and safe cities in which to live. While ensuring that our economy supports a diverse range of businesses, we must continue to focus on technology ­ digital and biological ­ to create a commerce that will grow throughout this century. To meet this need, we must develop a skilled workforce who will support this focus. Many of these high-tech and other firms are small businesses, and we must promote and protect the entrepreneurs of the state, who generate a substantial portion of new jobs within our borders.

 

Sustainability

We live in a state of vast and diverse resources ­ unlimited in some areas (e.g., solar) while almost nonexistent in others (e.g., water). Yet we continue to let our water supplies dwindle while failing to harness the power of the resources we have in abundance. As a state, we must put plans in place to build renewable energy sources that would include not just solar, but everything from geothermal to wind to biofuels to other sources that are fueled by the science and imagination of our state’s engineers and entrepreneurs. At the same time, we must understand that we face continuing drought conditions and have to balance the water we have with our needs as individuals, communities, agriculture, and industry. Sustainability does not stop there. We also must sustain our systems, both political and cultural, to prevent a collapse of our American way of life. To that end, we need a creative, supportive, collaborative government and a strong educational system, and we must continue our history of celebrating Arizona’s cultural diversity.

Legislative District 8 Map Click map to view larger

Signs and More!

Our yard signs are in and will really spruce up your yard! Let your neighbors know you support John -- and we have plenty if they want a yard sign as well! Another terrific way to use these yard signs: sun shades for your car! Wherever you park, show who you want to be your next LD8 representative with these in your front windshield -- and around back, display one of our removable bumper stickers! Contact us at info@electkriekard.com if you want either or both!

Please check back for calendar events as they develop.

Upcoming Events

House Party: John joins Attorney General Terry Goddard and Congressman Harry Mitchell on Saturday, August 7, for a meet and greet to talk about issues and take your questions. Hosted by Michelle Melchiorre at 11472 N. Chipmunk Lane in Fountain Hills from 3:00-5:00 p.m.; to RSVP or get more information, contact michellemelchiorreofa@gmail.com.

Mark your calendars for more opportunities to meet John at house parties in Scottsdale on August 15 at 10 a.m. and August 27 at 3:30 p.m. Details to follow!