SCOTT WALMER

I love living in Flagstaff and wish to continue service to my community. My area of expertise is the specialized field of public education finance. For these reasons I have chosen to become a candidate for the Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) Governing Board. I hope you will vote for me on election day, November 5, 2024.

We moved to Flagstaff almost nine years ago when I was selected as the Director of Finance at FUSD. Previously, I served in school finance for 20 years, nine as director, at three uniquely different public school districts in the Valley. My wife, Elizabeth, continued her career as school nurse with both of us starting at FUSD on the same day. I retired from my position almost four years ago.

It would be great to hear your thoughts. My email is scottkwalmer@yahoo.com.

Presented below are some thoughts to highlight what is most important to me. If we have not yet met this might be helpful to you ahead of November 5, 2024, Election Day.

What skills and philosophies would you bring to the FUSD Governing Board?

My first day walking door to door collecting nominating signatures and conversing with neighbors has made some things very clear. It is not possible for me to offer simple answers to complex questions. Only by understanding the perspective of students, parents, educators and other professionals, residents, and others will the best way show itself. I myself hope to bring a couple of tangible skills along wherever I may happen to be and a handful of characteristics that could add to the perspective of the governing board.

In no particular order.

Experience

I am a retired and former Certified Public Accountant. I have worked at family owned businesses, giant corporations, and public school districts in all cases as a supervisor. Some of these organizations were well run and some less so. I have an understanding of the elements of a well run organization.

Financial Analysis

I have a professional level understanding of Arizona school finance. I can look at complex financial reports over years and describe trends. I have an understanding of the financial relationship between unique district departments each with mission critical objectives converging to provide public education within a finite number of dollars. I see the proverbial glass of water not so much as half full or half empty, but as four ounces of water.

Leadership

I have supervised and been responsible for the work of others for 33 years. Those others would have to say how, but in all cases increasingly effective teams developed. I respect hard work done by professionals and tend to support the work of duly appointed committees. I enjoy listening to people speaking on a topic they have been studying on for a long time. I love to train. I am still in contact with several friends who worked for me decades ago.

Collaboration

I get a rush when a great idea comes from an unexpected place. I have found giving voices, in addition to my own, a place at the table renders much better outcomes.

Transparency

If you were to listen to my old public reports, you would commonly hear a recommendation and also what alternatives were looked at, some of the risks and opportunities of each, and why I deemed my recommendation to be the most effective. I discovered years ago that if I could muster the courage to take responsibility for the occasional and inevitable blunder, by myself or my department, I would build credibility.

Humor

It's everywhere...

Guiding PRINCIPLES

These are the concepts through which I will filter recommendations, opportunities, and risks in order to make difficult decisions on behalf of FUSD and Flagstaff.

  • That the best education includes broad perspectives and opportunities for all students.
  • That the best policies support the long term success of FUSD and the Flagstaff community.
  • That the use of limited District resources should be contemplated frequently.
  • That the best policies enable the best teachers and professionals who support them.
  • That the educational process should be shielded from nonessential distraction.
  • That observable transparency is a critical element of credibility.
  • That the purpose of public education is to enable students to find their best path whatever that may happen to be, and to facilitate their preparation for that path.