Six Candidates Seek Seats on Colorado River Union High School District Governing Board

From experienced educators to community advocates, six candidates share their priorities for student success, financial accountability, and the future of education in Bullhead City.

BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. — As Mohave County voters prepare to head to the polls, education remains an important issue for families, taxpayers, teachers, and students throughout the Colorado River Union High School District (CRUHSD).

Six candidates have shared their reasons for seeking a position on the district’s governing board, offering voters insight into their backgrounds, priorities, and visions for the future of local education.

While each candidate brings a different perspective, several common themes have emerged: stronger communication with parents, responsible spending of taxpayer dollars, improved student opportunities, support for educators, and greater accountability within district leadership.

For families throughout the Bullhead City area, the upcoming school board election represents an opportunity to help shape the direction of public education for years to come.

Meet the Candidates

Kory Burgess — Putting Students First

Kory Burgess believes public education has the power to change a young person’s life and that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their chosen career path.

Burgess emphasizes preparing students for life beyond high school, whether that means attending college, pursuing technical training, entering military service, joining the workforce, or becoming an entrepreneur.

If elected, Burgess says students will remain at the center of every decision.

Key priorities include strengthening student achievement, maintaining safe and welcoming schools, improving communication with families and employees, and ensuring district resources are managed responsibly.

Burgess also emphasizes integrity, collaboration, accountability, and respect as essential qualities of effective school board leadership.

The candidate’s message centers on making sure every student feels supported while receiving an education that prepares them for the future.

Brian Furman — Transparency, Accountability, and Fresh Leadership

Brian Furman is seeking a position on the governing board with the goal of bringing a fresh perspective to district leadership.

As an educator, parent, and community member, Furman believes schools should remain focused on providing meaningful educational opportunities rather than becoming distracted by rumors, personal agendas, or division.

Furman emphasizes the importance of transparency, accountability, and collaboration among school administrators, teachers, families, and community members.

His priorities include ensuring students have access to excellent teachers, strong academic programs, career and technical education opportunities, and safe learning environments.

Furman believes difficult issues should be addressed with facts and responsible decision-making.

His campaign message focuses on building trust between the district and the community while creating an educational environment where students can succeed.

David Lipinski — Experience, Education, and Responsible Spending

David Lipinski is emphasizing his 33 years of community service and experience as an educator, parent, and community member.

Lipinski says his knowledge of the district and understanding of the needs of students and staff position him to continue serving the community over the next four years.

A significant part of his message centers on the importance of education as a pathway to future success.

Whether students plan to attend college, enter the workforce, enlist in the military, or start their own businesses, Lipinski believes schools must prepare them for those opportunities.

He also emphasizes financial responsibility.

Lipinski believes district leadership should carefully examine how taxpayer dollars are spent, with the goal of directing resources as close to the classroom as possible.

For voters concerned about school district budgets and the effective use of public resources, fiscal responsibility is a central theme of Lipinski’s candidacy.

Aimee Lovelace Miller — Student Well-Being and Teacher Support

Aimee Lovelace Miller is campaigning on three primary priorities: student social and emotional well-being, teacher wellness, and stronger communication between families and the school district.

Miller believes students should feel valued, supported, and heard throughout their educational experience.

She also recognizes the importance of supporting educators, arguing that thoughtful policies affecting teacher wellness can contribute to stronger schools.

Another major component of her platform is parental involvement.

Miller wants to establish open lines of communication that allow parents to have a meaningful voice in district matters.

Additionally, she emphasizes responsible budgeting, sound governance, and policies that reflect community values.

Her approach highlights the relationship between student success, educator support, and meaningful community participation.

Kim Qualey — Community Involvement and Responsible Stewardship

Kim Qualey is seeking a governing board position after gaining experience through community involvement and work within the district.

Qualey believes her understanding of the district’s strengths, challenges, and needs would allow her to contribute new ideas and perspectives.

Her priorities include supporting students, respecting educators, listening to parents, strengthening communication, and promoting responsible stewardship of district resources.

Qualey also believes the district should build upon its existing successes while adapting to the changing needs of students.

Preparing graduates for an increasingly innovative and competitive world is a major focus of her candidacy.

Her message centers on working collaboratively to strengthen schools while ensuring students are prepared for opportunities beyond graduation.

Dorn Wilcox — Decades of Educational Leadership

Dorn Wilcox brings an extensive background in education and school administration to the race.

Wilcox says he has lived in the Bullhead City area since 1990 and worked for CRUHSD from 1990 until retiring in 2025.

During that time, he served in several roles, including teacher, coach, vice principal, athletic director, principal, and interim superintendent.

Wilcox is also involved in the community as a member of the Bullhead City Rotary Club.

His campaign emphasizes strong district leadership, adherence to educational standards, compliance with state regulations, and financially responsible decision-making.

Wilcox believes the governing board must ensure the superintendent holds teachers accountable for teaching state standards while maintaining appropriate oversight of district policies.

Having worked in numerous positions throughout the district, Wilcox offers voters the perspective of someone who has experienced school operations from the classroom to district administration.

His stated goal is to help the district make sound decisions that benefit students, staff, and the communities it serves.

A Common Concern: Where Are Taxpayer Dollars Going?

Although the candidates approach education from different backgrounds, one issue appears repeatedly throughout their statements: financial accountability.

School governing boards are responsible for major decisions involving budgets, district policies, administrative oversight, and educational priorities.

Those decisions affect not only students and educators but also taxpayers who help support public education.

For Mohave County residents, questions about how education dollars are allocated remain important.

How much funding directly benefits classroom instruction? Are district resources being used efficiently? Are students and teachers receiving the support they need?

Candidates including Lipinski, Wilcox, Burgess, Miller, and Qualey specifically reference responsible budgeting, resource management, or financial stewardship as priorities.

However, the statements provided do not include detailed budget proposals or identify specific spending reductions.

Those are important questions voters may want candidates to address before Election Day.

Parents Want a Voice in Their Children’s Education

Another recurring theme is communication between schools and families.

Several candidates emphasize that parents should be informed, heard, and included in conversations affecting their children’s education.

Furman, Miller, Burgess, and Qualey specifically highlight improving communication and collaboration with families and the broader community.

Effective communication can help address concerns before they escalate, strengthen trust in school leadership, and create greater transparency around district decisions.

For voters, an important question is how each candidate would turn these campaign priorities into actual governing board policies.

Experience Versus Fresh Perspectives

The CRUHSD governing board race offers voters a choice between different types of professional and community experience.

Some candidates, such as Wilcox and Lipinski, emphasize their lengthy service in education and the community.

Others, including Furman, Miller, Burgess, and Qualey, highlight their perspectives on student needs, community involvement, accountability, and improvements to district communication.

There are potential advantages to both institutional experience and new perspectives.

Experienced educators may offer a deeper understanding of district operations, while other candidates may approach longstanding challenges with different ideas.

Ultimately, voters must decide which combination of qualifications, priorities, and leadership approaches best represents the needs of their community.

What Voters Should Be Asking

Beyond campaign statements, school board candidates should be prepared to answer substantive questions about how they intend to govern.

Some important questions include:

• Financial accountability: How will candidates ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly and benefiting classrooms?

• Academic performance: What specific steps would they support to improve student achievement and graduation readiness?

• Parental involvement: How will families be included in important district decisions?

• Teacher retention: What policies would help recruit, retain, and support qualified educators?

• Career readiness: How can CRUHSD expand opportunities for students pursuing trades, technical education, military service, or college?

• District oversight: How will board members hold district leadership accountable while respecting the responsibilities of administrators and educators?

These questions move beyond general campaign promises and give voters an opportunity to evaluate each candidate’s understanding of the governing board’s responsibilities.

Why This Election Matters

School board elections do not always receive the same public attention as congressional, state, or city elections.

Yet the decisions made by local governing boards can have a direct and lasting impact on families, educators, and taxpayers.

From approving budgets and establishing district policies to overseeing superintendent performance, school board members help determine how schools operate and how public resources are managed.

For the Colorado River Union High School District, the election is about more than choosing names on a ballot.

It is about choosing individuals who will help guide the district through future educational, financial, and community challenges.

Each of the six candidates has expressed a commitment to supporting students and strengthening the district. The challenge for voters is determining how those commitments will translate into measurable results.

The Mohave Insider: Stay Informed. Stay Involved.

The Mohave Insider encourages residents to research each candidate, ask questions, attend public forums when available, and participate in local elections.

All six candidate summaries in this article are based on the statements provided. Their inclusion does not constitute an endorsement.

We welcome opportunities for candidates to discuss their platforms, explain their positions on district finances and academic performance, and share how they intend to serve the community.

Local education shapes the future of Mohave County, and informed voters help shape the future of local education.

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