Excellencefor EveryPV Student.
A dedicated educator and community leader running for the Paradise Valley Unified School District Governing Board — championing students, supporting teachers, and strengthening strong public schools.
Meet Rick Ross
Multi-Decade Educator
Rick Ross is a multi-decade educator who has been a program builder for students, teachers, and community. He absolutely loves bringing people together to create teachable moments, provide musical and educational experiences, and build community.
Classroom Educator
Rick directed choral music students for 25 years in the Paradise Valley Unified School District. He created the choral program at Greenway Middle School during its first decade and was the proud Director of Choral Activities at Shadow Mountain High School for 15 years. Rick greatly enjoyed collaborating with his educational colleagues and artists across the state while providing musical and educational opportunities for students.
Campus Administrator
After departing the classroom, Rick went on to facilitate positive campus culture and student achievement as Dean of Students at SMHS. In addition to providing attendance and positive behavior support, he led the campus-wide PBIS program that promoted "The Matador Way" with the "I CARE" values that were created through school-wide engagement.
Community Contributions
During his 34 years as a public school educator in PVUSD, he was involved in numerous District & Association leadership roles & committees, as well as negotiating 19 contracts on behalf of certified personnel to improve teaching conditions and learning outcomes. Rick also sang with multiple generations of kiddos as Children’s Choir Director at Church of the Beatitudes. He greatly enjoyed directing the Pre-K through 6th graders for 13 years. Rick has recently retired from PVUSD and is enjoying his time as a Professional Development Facilitator and Enrichment Instructor with Inspirato Education. It has been Rick’s pleasure and privilege to be involved with Musical Theatre Alliance of Arizona from its very first production (He was the Mayor in "Seussical"), serving as a founding member of the Board and served as Secretary. Rick has enjoyed numerous roles with MTAA as well as other organizations throughout the Valley. Rick continues to be involved with his alma maters by supporting Arizona State University and serving on the Nebraska Wesleyan University Alumni Council.
Priorities for PVUSD
Maximize Resources
Maximize all resources to support the education of every student.
Lifelong Learners
Provide a positive, engaging, and safe learning path for every child to be a lifelong learner with the skills to adapt to a changing environment.
Community Collaboration
Enhance and grow communication and collaboration with all community stakeholders by continuing and enhancing the PV Way.
Classroom Focused
Focus every decision on what's best for students and the classroom.
Value Our Educators
Respect, include, and retain all those supporting our educational mission.
Official Endorsements & Recognition
Rick is proud to be endorsed by organizations fighting for strong public schools in Arizona.
What People Are Saying
Students, educators, and community leaders on why they're supporting Rick Ross.
I worked with Rick Ross for 13 years at Shadow Mountain High School. He is a man who understands PVUSD. He supports his school, his community, his teachers, and most importantly, his students. He is the visionary leader that PVUSD desperately needs. He has my most emphatic recommendation for the school board, my thanks, and my respect!
He is a positive voice for our kids! Rick is smart, and knows our community and how to be the change this District needs! Vote Rick
Rick Ross is the greatest teacher I have ever had. I joined choir on a whim to hang out with friends, but he made it so much more. He has a genuine concern for his students and their well being and helps each one reach their potential, something he can always see. I was incredibly lucky to have such a great person and role model in those very important high school years. Mr. Ross knows what both the students and the schools need to be successful. There is no one better suited to fight for students and teachers and I'm positive he will have an incredible impact given the opportunity to be on the governing board.
I took Choir with Mr. Ross at Shadow Mountain, and after all my years of schooling, I can honestly say no educator had a greater impact on my life. In 34 years as a teacher and administrator in the district, he's built community, brought out the best in people, and made countless students feel seen and supported. 20+ years later, I'm lucky to still call him a mentor and friend. That combination of deep district experience, thoughtful leadership, and a genuine understanding of what students and educators need is exactly what I believe would make him an effective governing board member.