Dysart School Board Member Criticized for Opposing Letter to District

Hastings' vote against letter to Dysart High School raises concerns about mixing politics and education

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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In a recent Dysart Unified School District school board meeting, the board voted on a proposal to send a letter to Dysart High School, with all members voting yes except for Jack Hastings, the vice principal of Cimarron Springs Middle School. This decision by Hastings has drawn criticism from a local parent, who argues that Hastings' political views and interests seem to be more important to him than the 23,118 students he is supposed to be serving.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing debate about the role of politics in education. Many believe that schools should be a neutral space, free from the influence of partisan politics, so that all students can learn in an environment focused on their education rather than political agendas. The parent's concerns suggest that Hastings' decision may have been driven more by his own political leanings than by a focus on the best interests of the district's students.

The details

The Dysart Unified School District school board voted on a simple proposal to send a letter to Dysart High School, with all members voting yes except for Jack Hastings, the vice principal of Cimarron Springs Middle School. The parent who criticized Hastings' vote argues that his political views and interests seem to be more important to him than the 23,118 students he is supposed to be serving as a school district official.

  • The Dysart Unified School District school board vote took place on February 26, 2026.

The players

Jack Hastings

The vice principal of Cimarron Springs Middle School in the Dysart Unified School District, who was the only member of the school board to vote against sending a letter to Dysart High School.

Dysart Unified School District

The school district that serves 23,118 students in the Peoria, Arizona area.

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What they’re saying

“How can one man who is supposed to be looking out for all Dysart students, not care? This was a simple letter and his politics and his pockets seem way more important to him than to the students he serves.”

— Local Parent (yourvalley.net)

What’s next

The school board's decision and Hastings' vote against the letter are likely to continue being a topic of discussion in the Dysart community, with parents and other stakeholders closely watching how Hastings and the rest of the board handle issues related to politics and education going forward.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of keeping partisan politics out of public education, so that schools can remain focused on providing a high-quality, non-partisan learning environment for all students. It also raises questions about the appropriate role of school administrators in the political process, and whether their personal views should influence their decision-making on behalf of an entire school district.