As of June 25, 2024, Mark Gonzales did not have a website or any information online.

School System Budget

School Safety & Discipline

Governing Board Members

Mark was born and raised in Avondale. He received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Glendale Community College and Merced Jr. College. He and wife have 2 children.

LinkedIn

Mark is currently a maintenance project manager and assistant varsity baseball coach for Agua Fria Union High School District. He was previously a manager at Legends Furniture Inc. and Carvana. 

Mark Gonzales currently serves as an Avondale Elementary School District board member. He was first elected in 1992 and is serving his eighth term. 

As of June 6, 2025, Mark Gonzales did not have a website or any information online.

School Curriculum

School Facilities & Resources

Mark Gonzales

As of September 18, 2024, Derek A Etheridge did not have a website or any information online.

AESD Governing Board Members

Derek is originally from Wisconsin and moved to Arizona in 2006. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2 master's degrees from Capella University and Ottawa University, and a doctorate from Grand Canyon University. He is also a certified administrator of school finance and operations. Derek is married and has 2 children.

Derek currently works as the executive director of Business Services in the Cartwright Elementary School District. He has served in public education since 2006, previously working as a director of federal programs, principal, assistant principal, math content specialist, and junior high math teacher.

Derek Etheridge is currently a member of the Avondale Elementary School District School Board.

As of June 6, 2025, Derek A Etheridge did not have a website or any information online.

Teachers

Twitter

Derek A Etheridge

As of June 25, 2024, Heather L. Raithel did not have a website or any information online.

Heather Raithel, Arizona State University 

Heather is from Waco, Texas. She earned her master’s from Utah State University with a focus on secondary transition for students with disabilities and received a doctorate at ASU in leadership and innovation in special education. Heather and her husband live in Goodyear with their 2 children.

Heather is a clinical assistant professor at Arizona State University (ASU). She has taught general and special education for over 20 years.

Heather L. Raithel's campaign for the Avondale Elementary School District board is her first run for a public office.

As of June 6, 2025, Heather L. Raithel did not have a website or any information online.

Heather L. Raithel

As of September 18, 2024, Leticia Castro did not have a website or any information online.

Leticia is originally from California and moved to Goodyear, Arizona in 2010. She earned her bachelor's degree from Cal State Northridge and 2 master's degrees from National University and Grand Canyon University. Leticia lives with her husband and their 3 children.

Leticia currently serves as the principal of John F. Long Elementary School in the Cartwright School District. She has over 20 years of experience in education, having previously worked as a principal, assistant principal, instructional coach, teacher, and in other educational roles.

Leticia Castro is a current school board member for Avondale Elementary School District.

As of June 6, 2025, Leticia Castro did not have a website or any information online.

Leticia Castro

- School board members set district policy, encourage parent involvement, establish budgets, and determine educational goals for your local school district.
- This position is voluntary. School board members are not paid a salary.