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Meet Our Governing Board

  • The Yuma Union High School District #70 school board, consisting of five members, is a corporate body that oversees and manages the public school district's affairs, personnel, and properties. School board members are elected by the residents of Yuma County.
Phillip D. Townsend, Board President

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Phillip D. Townsend, Board President

3150 S. Avenue A
Yuma, AZ 85364

Profession: President/Owner, Sunlund Chemical Company
Term Expires: 12/2022
Shelley Mellon, Board Vice President

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Shelley Mellon, Board Vice President

3150 S. Avenue A
Yuma, AZ 85364

Profession: Owner/Broker, R.L. Jones Insurance Services
Term Expires: 12/2024
Carlos Gonzalez, Board Member

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Carlos Gonzalez, Board Member

3150 S. Avenue A
Yuma, AZ 85364

Profession: Retired Administrator
Term Expires: 12/2024
Jacqueline Kravitz, Board Member

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Jacqueline Kravitz, Board Member

3150 S. Avenue A
Yuma, AZ 85364

Profession: Owner/Administrator, Yuma Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Term Expires: 12/2022
David Lara, Board Member

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Degrees and Certifications:

David Lara, Board Member

3150 S. Avenue A
Yuma, AZ 85364

Profession: Owner, Desert Water
Term Expires: 12/2024

Meeting Schedules & More

Board Agendas & Minutes

What Do Our School Board Members Do?

  • School board members are unpaid local officials. Their authority and duties are defined by the state and federal constitutions and laws, as well as by rules and regulations promulgated by the County School Superintendent. 

    • They learn their district’s goals and policies set by their boards in previous years.
    • They make decisions based on district policies and governmental regulations.
    • They participate in a periodic review of policies and goals—to help define policy and to develop long-term plans.
    • They seek to influence state and federal laws and regulations since these mandates often do not include needed funds for compliance, restrict local district decision making, and interfere with existing successful programs.
    • They seek adequate state and federal support for successful public schools.
    • They attend workshops/seminars on a wide range of topics to enable sound decisions.
    • They listen to concerned citizens as the need arises and direct them to the proper district employee for resolution of problems.
    • They do NOT involve themselves in operating the school district, but DO receive reports on the happenings in the school district and regular progress reports on district goals and initiatives.

What Does Our School Board Do?

  • Some of the key duties of our school board are listed below. 

    • School boards select superintendents for their districts. This decision is considered their most important decision since superintendents serve as the chief executive officers of school boards. Superintendents recommend actions for board approval and implement board decisions.
    • Some board decisions are difficult or unpopular.
      • A school board’s first responsibility is to the children it serves, not to pressure groups.
      • School boards gather input from concerned citizens and explain controversial decisions.
        Board members must defend and support controversial board decisions.
    • Some board decisions are routine:
      • Approving agendas and minutes; Accepting reports, warrants, or bills; Staff placement; Program placements for students with disabilities; Meeting schedules, topics, and times.
    • Decisions made by the school board are implemented by the district’s superintendent and staff.
    • Boards of education act only as a whole and during public meetings. A school board is a corporate body, so has power only when meeting as a board.
    • Boards of education frequently hold study sessions to discuss and review proposals without taking official action.
    • School boards create and revise their districts’ mission statements and goals, as well as the district policies that support them.
    • No one board member can bind the school board to a particular action. Persuasion during open discussion is the only way to influence voting on issues before a school board.
    • School boards annually adopt a school district budget to determine the number of staff members, to reflect changes in student needs, and to support changes in program offerings.