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Connecting Santa Cruz County

Latest Community Echoes

From Second Grade to County Leader: A Career Built on Listening, Trust, and Student Success

For more than three decades, Maya Donnelly has walked the same hallways she now oversees, just from different chairs.

In July 2025, Donnelly was appointed Santa Cruz County School Superintendent after a career that began in 1993 at A.J. Mitchell Elementary. She taught second and third grade, paused to raise her daughters, then returned to Lincoln Elementary and Wade Carpenter Middle School to teach sixth- and eighth-grade Language Arts.

In 2016, she stepped out of the classroom and into the County School Superintendent’s Office. There, she managed grant programs and served as Chief Deputy before taking the top job.

“There is no better motivation than to see a former student thrive and come back to thank you for being a good teacher or for supporting their family,” Donnelly said. That moment, repeated across years, is why she is running for office.

When longtime Superintendent Alfredo Velásquez approached retirement, Donnelly’s decision was immediate. “My only thought was that I must step up and continue the hard work and dedication the staff puts forth daily.”

Her mission is clear: safe, well-funded, academically sound learning environments for every child in Santa Cruz County. “Santa Cruz County deserves all the resources bigger counties receive. I want to contribute to creating a level playing field for our teachers and students.”

The County School Office acts as fiscal agent for schools, oversees the governing board and special elections, and documents homeschooled youth. That requires reliable financial oversight and clear communication between districts, the County Treasurer’s Office, and the Arizona Department of Education.

As an Education Service Agency, the office convenes stakeholders, writes and manages grants, and hosts events such as the Teacher of the Year. Donnelly calls her approach relationship-driven. “It is essential to ensure our office provides value by actively listening to the needs of our schools and building connections with everyone involved, from the superintendent and principal to teachers, nurses, custodians, and most importantly, students and their families.”

First, Donnelly wants a seamless transition. Success means a satisfied business manager with timely payroll, a district superintendent who can call anytime for dependable guidance, and students and parents who navigate college applications with confidence.

Second, she plans to expand initiatives with new grant funding. Focus areas include early childhood education, the arts, wellness and prevention, college and career readiness, and workforce development. Success will be measured by new grant awards, sustained programs, new partners, and compliant reporting.

Third, she will cultivate community trust through visibility, teamwork, and a countywide consortium that prioritizes student achievement, attendance, and teacher retention.

From 2018 to 2024, Donnelly led the GEAR UP Program in county middle and high schools. The federal grant helps students from low-income, rural communities develop post-secondary plans and earn degrees or certifications. Coaches supported career exploration and aided counselors with advising, parent engagement, and planning.

The program opened the “HUB” at the Santa Cruz Center, which still helps students with college and FAFSA applications, scholarships, and resumes. Through COVID and into students’ first year of post-secondary education, GEAR UP provided essential support. Results showed students were academically prepared, identified career paths, built resilience, and learned that “achieving dreams requires careful planning.”

“The role of the county school superintendent is rooted in relationships,” Donnelly said. Ten years in the office and twenty years teaching prepared her to connect with stakeholders. Work with nonprofits, businesses, and family events has built trust through successful grants and quality services.

Three challenges often arise: early childhood preparedness, chronic absenteeism, and literacy. Solving them requires partners like libraries, local government, childcare providers, and preschools. “Partnering early in a child’s life will benefit them in their future.”

Parent engagement means healthy two-way communication in home languages. Neighborhood gatherings, less formal than conferences, can be more inviting.

“Educators are superheroes,” Donnelly said. To recruit and retain teachers, she would offer free, locally relevant professional development and advocate for better pay. She also plans to embed team building and self-care into weekly routines. “These heroes don’t wear capes, but they do move mountains for our youth.”

Colleagues describe her leadership as calm and straightforward. “I take the position and the office seriously. It is not just a job; it is a calling. I strive to be innovative and share leadership with my team. There is strength in numbers.” The office operates with public funds, and timely service is the standard. “At the end of the day, every decision is made with our students’ best interests at heart.”

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Border Eco Spotlight

Sonia Sanchez's Vision for Santa Cruz Schools

In the vibrant communities of Santa Cruz County, where binational ties create a rich cultural tapestry, Sonia Sanchez shines as both an educator and a devoted community leader. With an unwavering commitment to students and families, she embarks on her campaign for Santa Cruz County Superintendent. Sanchez embodies more than a political platform; her career is a testament to hands-on experience in the very schools and neighborhoods she aspires to uplift. Her journey, filled with practical experience and heartfelt connections, illustrates a candidate who is passionately dedicated to the holistic well-being and academic success of every child in the county.

Sanchez's professional narrative reflects her passionate commitment to the educational journey, spanning from K-12 to higher education. As an IB Psychology teacher at Nogales High School, she experiences her students’ daily realities and aspirations, empowering them to reach their potential. Additionally, her role as an Adjunct Psychology Faculty member at Pima Community College offers her vital insights into the transformative transition from high school to college and careers. This dual perspective enriches her understanding of essential support systems during these pivotal moments, ensuring her vision is deeply rooted in each student's holistic educational experience.

Long before her current roles, Sanchez emerged as a key advocate for change within the Santa Cruz County Superintendent’s Office. As a Lead GEAR UP Success Coach, she championed countywide initiatives to enhance college readiness and boost FAFSA completion rates. Her mission was to break down barriers that often prevent students, especially those from underserved communities, from accessing higher education. This was not just a top-down mandate; it was a collaborative effort, with Sanchez partnering closely with schools, counselors, and community allies to organize bilingual workshops and outreach events, making the process more accessible for families. The impact was profound: increased participation in college-readiness events and greater family confidence in navigating financial aid and college planning. Her hands-on experience in program leadership, community outreach, and direct family support beautifully illustrates her ability to turn vision into meaningful change.

Sanchez recognized early that student success goes beyond academic readiness; it is deeply intertwined with mental health and family engagement. She established a Drug-Free Community Coalition, developed youth prevention programs, and coordinated the statewide Strengthening Families Program. These initiatives were essential to her educational mission, embodying her belief that "education, mental health, and family engagement are deeply connected." This holistic philosophy emphasizes that a child’s environment, emotional well-being, and family support are just as crucial as classroom instruction, forming the bedrock of her approach.

Sanchez’s decision to run for Superintendent is driven by her belief that "our schools are at an important moment." She sees a critical opportunity to "strengthen coordination between schools, families, and community partners" as educators and students recover from recent challenges. Her top priority for her first year in office reflects this commitment: "strengthening student attendance and engagement through prevention-based strategies and early intervention." She plans to measure success through "improved attendance trends and reduced chronic absenteeism," demonstrating her data-informed approach.

Her second and third priorities embody her comprehensive vision. She is committed to expanding mental health and wellness partnerships to uplift schools and families, with success measured by increased access to services, enhanced coordination with community providers, and enriched professional development for educators. Furthermore, she seeks to strengthen college and career readiness pathways through expanded partnerships with higher education institutions and local employers, measuring success by rising FAFSA completion rates, greater dual enrollment participation, and increased student access to internships and career exploration. These goals are not just plans; they are specific, measurable initiatives that directly address the needs of our community.

Building and maintaining trust across Santa Cruz County's diverse communities is an area where Sanchez’s experience truly stands out. She describes her approach as "being present, accessible, and consistent," highlighting her active involvement with schools, nonprofit organizations, and various community spaces. Her bilingual skills have been essential in enabling her to serve as a crucial bridge between schools and families, facilitating effective communication and outreach. As Superintendent, she is committed to maintaining this visibility and prioritizing "listening first, valuing local perspectives, and fostering collaboration."

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Sonia Sanchez for SCC Superintendent 2026

Email soniasanchez1325@gmail.com

Protecting Our Border Region

Rosanna Gabaldón, Arizona State Senator LD 21

Serving Southern Arizona has taught me one lesson over and over again. Progress rarely happens in a single meeting or legislative session. It happens through relationships, persistence, and a commitment to show up for the community you represent.

Santa Cruz County sits at the center of international trade, culture, and opportunity. The Nogales port of entry is one of the most important economic gateways in the country. The work we do here affects families, businesses, and communities on both sides of the border. That reality shapes how I approach public service.

Over the years, I have worked closely with local leaders, businesses, educators, and community organizations throughout Santa Cruz County. Those conversations often begin in community meetings, school events, or local gatherings. They continue through months and sometimes years of work to move an idea forward.

One example is the investment in the I-19 and Ruby Road interchange area. Improving infrastructure in that corridor helps strengthen the safety and efficiency of the transportation network that supports regional commerce and daily travel.

Another effort involved working with local officials and community partners to secure $6.2 million for much-needed road repairs in Nogales. Reliable roads are essential for families, small businesses, and the international trucking industry that moves goods through our region every day.

Trade is a defining part of life in Santa Cruz County. That is why I have worked closely with industry leaders and cross-border partners to support infrastructure and policy that keep our trade corridors strong and competitive. In recognition of that work, I was honored to receive the 2025 Champion of Trucking Award from the Arizona Trucking Association.

Public service also means collaboration beyond transportation and trade. Water sustainability, economic development, education, and health care are all part of our border communities' long-term future. I continue to work with partners across Arizona and Mexico, as well as local nonprofits, educators, and medical organizations that serve families in the region.

Earlier this year, I was honored to receive the 2025 Good Government Award from the County Supervisors Association of Arizona. I see recognitions like this as a reflection of the partnerships that make progress possible.

Santa Cruz County has always been a place defined by resilience, cooperation, and a deep sense of community. My role as your State Senator is to keep listening, keep building relationships, and keep showing up so that the voices of this region are heard and respected.

There is still more work ahead. Together, we will continue strengthening the economic vitality, infrastructure, and quality of life that make Santa Cruz County such a special place to call home.

Border Eco’s Eco Leaders!

Here's to a bright future under your leadership, Superintendent Donnelly!

"Warmest congratulations, Maya Donnelly, on your historic appointment as the Santa Cruz County Superintendent! Your dedication to education and commitment to the community have earned you this well-deserved recognition. May your leadership inspire and empower students, teachers, and families alike. Wishing you all the best as you embark on this exciting new chapter – may your vision for education shape a brighter future for Santa Cruz County."