Board Member Highlights

                         Anthony Lozano

Mingus Union High School (MUHS) District #4 Board Member Anthony Lozano became a board member for the right reasons.  He was born, raised, and attended school in the Verde Valley. After finishing his bachelor’s degree, he went on to teach and coach at MUHS.  He continued to serve children, families, and the community by becoming a board member for Clarkdale-Jerome School District and then Mingus Union High School (MUHS) District #4.  Mr. Lozano served on the Clarkdale-Jerome School Board for twenty (20) years, at times serving as the board president, and the Mingus Union High School District Board for twelve (12) years.  His thirty-two (32) years of board service was supported by residents of the Verde Valley and his name is synonymous with supporting students and education.

Mingus Union High School District #4 Board Member Anthony Lozano was always a proponent of students and ensuring academic programs were available for all students.  As a lifelong resident of the Verde Valley Mr. Lozano was around to see the good, bad, and ugly and this was his reason for running for education boards.  As a board member, Mr. Lozano knew that he could do the right things, suggest the right things (even if they weren’t accepted), and be a part of change that honored students, staff, and the community.     Mr. Lozano approached his work as a board member from the mindset of “What can I do for the school that I love.”  Mr. Lozano knew there would be highly political items, boards that were very political, and difficult situations to maneuver; Anthony continually went back to his mantra, what can I do for the school that I love. 

While a board member with the Clarkdale-Jerome School District Mr. Lozano made impactful changes to staff salaries.  He was able to make suggestions and put forth opinions that benefited classified staff, teachers, and administrators.  He tirelessly advocated for increasing salaries and elevating teachers as professionals.  Board Member Lozano also addressed athletics and brought forth changes for coaches and student athletes in the districts he represented. Mr. Lozano took great reverence in the positions he held as a board member, knowing his opinions needed to be heard as his ideas elevated students, teachers, and key programs.  Interestingly, in all the years Mr. Lozano ran for board seats, he only had four (4) handmade signs. His thirty-two (32) years of board service were supported by the residents of the Verde Valley and his name has become synonymous with supporting students and education. 

Thank You Mingus Board Member Anthony Lozano for your dedicated service. 

                              Lori Drake

Board Member and President Lori Drake has served on the Mingus Union High School District # 4 Board for eight (8) years.  She is retiring from her seat as of January 2025.  Her leadership on the Mingus Board has been instrumental in the hiring of district leadership and the creating/adoption of key policies. 

During her eight (8) year tenure on the Mingus Union School Board, Lori Drake consistently worked to raise teacher salaries over the years.  She was also, very supportive of students and excited to see young people involved in student clubs and activities; areas Board President Drake always wanted to see expanding at Mingus Union High School (MUHS). 

Mrs. Drake’s family is third generation MUHS graduates.  Her parents graduated from Mingus Union, when the school originally resided in Jerome, Board Member Drake is a Mingus alumnus, and her children graduated from MUHS.  Board Member Drake is a huge supporter of Career and Technical Education, with her youngest child having gone through Mingus’ Agriculture program and her oldest participated in the theater program

Board President Drake was a part of the Mingus Union Board during consolidation talks.  She actively researched, communicated, and engaged in Mingus Board Action against consolidation.   Board Member Drake is good at networking and connecting people; she has spoken and interacted with people across the state of Arizona advocating for benefits, programs, and educational opportunities for Mingus students, teachers, and the school.

If you ask Board President Drake about Mingus Union High School, she will state, “MUHS students and staff are amazing, I encourage everyone to come and visit Mingus for the amazing school we are!” Thank You Mingus Board President Lori Drake for your dedicated service.

 

                      Carol Anne Teague 

Board Member Teague has served on the Mingus Union High School District # 4 Board for two consecutive terms.  During her time on the Mingus Union Board, she served in the role of Board President for fiscal years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Carol Anne first ran for the school board due to talks of consolidation of schools in the Verde Valley.  She felt consolidating schools would be disastrous for Mingus Union from a financial standpoint.  She ran, won, and consolidation was defeated.  From this point, Board Member Teague spent the remainder of her tenure on the Mingus Union Board supporting teachers and championing the cause of underserved/non-traditional students. 

As a single mother, raising two children, and putting them through high school, Carol Anne understands schools are a huge part of rearing young people.  Sometimes working four jobs to support her family, Carol Anne appreciated the help she received through the school partnership(s) and in turn, as a Board Member, her commitment and passion shows through the giving she does for current Mingus students. Board Member Teague gives of her time, money, and resources to support students through programs like the Mingus Hope Center, Prom and Homecoming Closets, dance ticket giveaways, and clothing & food drives, just to name a few.   

Board Member Teague’s perspective as a mother of a teacher, mother of a Mingus Union graduate, grandmother of multiple grandchildren who have matriculated through as well as one current Mingus Union student, helps her to be a good Board Member.   Ms. Teague feels it is vital to have someone on the Board who understands the side of non-traditional students and families.  Board Member Teague understands there are financially disadvantaged students at Mingus Union and all students must be taken care. 

Board Member Teague is supportive of teachers and students.  She is passionate about the fine-arts programs at Mingus Union.  Ms. Teague supports students being involved in band, drama, theater, choir, and extra-curriculars outside of sports.   

Board Member Teague was dedicated to her work as a Mingus Union Board Member, never having missed a board meeting during her tenure.  She has shown her Mingus Pride by attending almost every event on campus during her time on the board and celebrating students’ success in her board reports.  Her support of Mingus students and teachers was evident in all she did during her tenure on the Mingus Board.  Thank You Mingus Board Member Carol Anne Teague for your dedicated service.