TUCSON, Ariz. — There's now an empty seat on the Tucson Unified Governing Board. Mark Stegeman tells us he's resigned -- effective immediately.
Mark Stegeman has held a TUSD board position for 11 years. But he called it quits more than a year before his term expires.
Stegeman said he's lost confidence in the district's ability to fundamentally reform the institution. "Making big changes in any organization is difficult. Things have to line up and you have to have strong leadership -- a united leadership to do it. I don't think TUSD has that," he said.
Stegeman listed the top reasons for stepping down. He's still seeing majors problems in teacher compensation, school climate -- meaning discipline, and principal authority. "I don't think we've change our basic philosophy toward the role of principal at all during the time on the board -- or hardly at all. On other areas like school climate there has been change, but not enough change," he said.
He believes there's systemic weakness in the district's leadership team, particularly managers who are not a good fit for their positions. "To really work, a lot of positions would have to change," he said.
Stegeman says since he's not seeing enough dramatic reform, he can no longer justify time away from his family.
In a statement Dr. Trujillo said, "On behalf of the Tucson Unified community I would like to thank Dr. Mark Stegeman for his 11 years of service to the district and certainly wish him many more years of health and happiness with his family."
Pima County School Superintendent Dustin Williams told KGUN9 his office will appoint a replacement to fill Stegeman's spot on the board until the next election in 2020.
