Hudson students deserve a bright future — but they’re facing real challenges that could hold them back.
As parents and voters, you want your children to thrive in excellent schools, feel supported by great teachers, and graduate ready for college, careers, and life. Yet too often, districts get distracted by politics, bureaucracy, or decisions that don’t keep students at the center — risking lower achievement, frustrated families, unsupported educators, and a weaker community for all of us.
I’m Joe Rivera, and I have the experience and leadership ability required to make sure our students thrive in Hudson.
I retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving 20 years on active duty, leading teams across the world — from Greenland to Antarctica — learning to adapt, unite diverse teams, and always focus on the mission and the people who depend on it. As a husband, father of two Hudson students (in first and second grade), and dog dad, I’m personally invested in our schools every day.
With a Master’s in Communication and my role as a Senior HR Business Advisor, I bring strong problem-solving, people-focused leadership, and thoughtful decision-making. I serve on the district’s Teaching and Learning Advisory Council, collaborating with teachers, parents, administrators, and community members to support excellent education.
With a Master’s in Communication and my role as a Senior HR Business Advisor, I bring strong problem-solving, people-focused leadership, and thoughtful decision-making. I’ve already served on the district’s Teaching and Learning Advisory Council, collaborating with teachers, parents, administrators, and community members to support excellent education.
I’m running for Hudson School Board because I’m committed to caring deeply, listening closely, unifying our community, and keeping students first in every choice we make.
Together, we can build Strong Schools. A Stronger Hudson — where families feel confident, educators feel empowered, and every child is prepared to succeed.
Vote Joe Rivera for Hudson School Board — let’s protect and elevate the future our kids deserve.
About Joe
- Husband, Father of two attending HSD schools (1st grade & Kindergarten), Dog dad
- United States Air Force (Retired)
- Current Senior Human Resources Business Advisor
- Current member of the Hudson School District Teaching and Learning Advisory Council (TLAC). TLAC members include district administrators, teachers, and parents. The mission of the council is to represent the interests of the community as they relate to curriculum, instruction, intervention, and assessment.
- M.A. in Communication from Arizona State University
- B.A. in Management from Golden Gate University
- A.A.S in Human Resources Management from the Community College of the Air Force
Why I’m Running For Hudson School Board
1) Kids First. Always.
When we keep students at the center of every decision, we give them the support to learn, the confidence
to grow, and the opportunity to succeed. If it’s not in the best interest of kids, it’s not the right decision.
I will prioritize decisions that support:
- strong instruction and classroom learning
- respect for parents and families
- real preparation for adulthood and careers
- Our district should never lose sight of the mission — educating kids.
2) Academic Excellence
Hudson students deserve an education grounded in strong fundamentals. While we are a high-performing
district, we should always be looking for ways to improve.
As a school board member, I will advocate for a curriculum that is rooted in core subjects, including:
- Reading
- Writing
- Math
- Science
I believe lessons should be:
- Age-appropriate
- Balanced
- Fact-based
- Focused on real learning — not distractions
Our district succeeds when we keep expectations high and ensure we’re giving both students and
teachers the support they need to meet them.
3) Safe Schools & Strong Support
Safety is not negotiable — it’s the foundation for everything else.
Students cannot learn in an environment where they feel unsafe, distracted, or unsupported. I will push for a proactive approach to:
- student and staff safety
- clear discipline practices that protect learning
- prevention efforts that address issues early (before they grow)
Parents should have full confidence that when their children go to school, they are entering an
environment where safety is a top priority and a shared responsibility.
4) Fiscal Responsibility with a Parent’s Mindset
Hudson families are feeling the pressure of rising costs and taxes — and school spending should reflect
that reality.
I believe in being responsible with taxpayer dollars.
Budgets should reflect priorities — and the #1 priority is students.
That means:
- cutting waste
- avoiding “shiny but unnecessary” spending
- protecting classrooms and essential programs
- demanding transparency and accountability
Every dollar we spend should be focused on what matters most: improving opportunities and outcomes
for our students.
You deserve proven leadership, serving with integrity and:
- Common sense → Practical, no-nonsense decisions that cut through bureaucracy and focus on what actually works for students and teachers.
- Calm leadership → Steady guidance during tough times, so the district stays focused instead of getting caught up in drama or division.
- Respect for parents → Your voice will be heard and valued — Joe will listen closely and treat families as true partners in education.
- Honesty about challenges → Straight talk about the real issues facing our schools, so we can address them head-on instead of hiding behind spin.
- Courage to make hard decisions → The backbone to do what’s right for kids, even when it’s unpopular — protecting resources, standards, and futures.
- Compassionate leadership → Empathy that puts people first — supporting teachers so they can teach, and caring for every child’s unique needs.
- Unwavering focus on what’s best for kids → Every choice guided by one question: “How does this help Hudson students succeed?” — ensuring your children get the excellent education they deserve.