Governing Board Members
STEVE JOHNSTON, PRESIDENT
(2005-2008)
Steve and Becky Johnston, his wife of 20+ years, have five children-three of whom attend GESD schools. Mr. Johnston is owner of Johnston Financial, a provider of various financial services, currently managing over $50 million in retirement funds. He has been in business in Glendale for 20+ years and is a member of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce. He is Assistant District Commissioner of Boys Scouts of America and Young Men’s President (Glendale Arizona Stake), Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints. Mr. Johnston is an avid outdoorsman and guide, fully licensed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. He is a veteran member of the Governing Board and has served as the Board President ever since his election to the Board in 2001.
BARBARA ENGLISH, CLERK
(2005-2008)
After moving to Arizona in 1964, Barbara English attended Harold W. Smith School and Glendale High School. Barbara is a veteran member of the Governing Board and has served as the Board’s Clerk for the past five years. When first elected to the Board, her two daughters were attending Discovery Elementary School and she was the PTA President of that school. Her daughters have since moved on to the Glendale Union High School District attending Independence High School. Ms. English has always been very active in the community and in activities in which her children were involved, including serving as a Girl Scout leader. Barbara enjoys her work on the school board, finding it both challenging and rewarding, and hopes to make a difference for children in the Glendale community.
SONYA TAFT-BERGES, MEMBER
(2005- 2008)
Sonya Taft-Berges is the newest member of the Governing Board elected to a four-year term beginning January 1, 2005. She is a resident of the Coyote Ridge attendance area and has two children attending that school. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Grand Canyon University and is a CPA who has worked in the area of technology as a project manager and director of consulting. Sonya was instrumental in founding a parent-teacher organization in a previous school system she was involved with and has a strong belief in the need for active parent involvement in our schools.
SARA SMITH, MEMBER
(2006-2010)
Sara Smith, her husband Craig, and four children have lived in the GESD area since September, 2001. Two of her children attend Horizon Elementary and a third will begin in the fall of 2006. Her children attend GESD partly because of strong gifted services. She has been actively involved in the school as a parent volunteer for four years. Sara also volunteers as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts through her church. She worked as a Recreation Manager for Hyatt Regency Scottsdale and Hyatt Hill Country San Antonio. She also worked as an Administrative Assistant for OrNda Health Services preparing budgets and property evaluations. She is a graduate of Arizona State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management. Prior to attending ASU she attended Ricks College, now BYU-Idaho, receiving an Associate’s Degree.