Where I stand
The issues
My efforts as a board member will focus on three main priorities.
“I believe our community has an obligation to deliver a high-quality education to all students. Our schools have an enormous, wide-reaching impact on families, children, and the community. We must prepare students to have the skill sets to achieve their dreams and enhance our successful community. The school board must be responsive to all stakeholders to achieve this goal.”
— Dr. Paul Bankes
Fiscal effectiveness
I will strive to promote a forward-thinking, fiscally responsible philosophy that ensures our District manages its resources wisely while continuing our commitment to educational excellence. This can be achieved by:
- Efficient resource allocation. Resources should be allocated in a manner that maximizes positive educational outcomes — prioritizing funding for essential academic programs, student services, and staff development, while minimizing overhead and administrative costs.
- Cost-effective operations. Cost-saving measures should be implemented without compromising quality education. This includes energy-efficient buildings, bulk purchasing of supplies, and leveraging technology to reduce operational costs.
- Investment in quality education. While being fiscally prudent, our District needs to invest in high-quality educational programs, modern facilities, and professional development for teachers. Financial responsibility should not come at the expense of educational quality.
- Adaptability and innovation. Our District should demonstrate adaptability and innovation in managing finances — seeking alternative funding sources such as grants and partnerships, and considering new ideas that can improve efficiency.
Empowerment of all stakeholders
Our District's Board of Trustees serves a broad constituency with overlapping and differing priorities and perspectives, and our entire community has a stake in the District's success. I define our stakeholders as students, teachers, parents, administrators, and taxpayers. I will empower all stakeholders, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that promotes the success and well-being of every student.
- Advocacy for all students. I will champion the needs of all students, ensuring policies and programs support their success and well-being — advocating for resources and support systems that address the needs of our whole student population, including those with special needs and those from varied backgrounds.
- Transparent decision-making. I will communicate openly about the rationale behind Board decisions and strive to make information accessible and understandable. This transparency builds trust and allows stakeholders to stay informed and involved.
- Community engagement. I will foster a collaborative environment where all stakeholders are treated with respect, working closely with school administrators, teachers, parents, and community organizations to develop and implement policies that benefit our District.
- Professional development. I will support and advocate for ongoing, high-quality professional development for teachers and staff. Empowering educators through training and resources is crucial to the overall success of our District.
- Accountability and evaluation. I will hold myself and our District accountable for meeting educational goals. Using data and stakeholder feedback to evaluate our performance, I will make informed decisions and improvements.
- Vision and strategic planning. I will work with stakeholders to develop a clear vision and strategic plan — setting long-term goals and ensuring our District moves in a direction that benefits all students and our community as a whole.
Instructional excellence
Through a strategic and collaborative approach, I will strive to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education.
- Setting high academic standards. I will work with educational leaders to establish rigorous academic standards that challenge students and promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. These standards should align with State standards and benchmarks while remaining adaptable to local needs.
- Hiring and retaining quality educators. I will support competitive salaries, professional development opportunities, and — most importantly — the most positive working environment possible, providing adequate support for and appreciation of our teachers.
- Curriculum development and review. Drawing on my extensive experience with curriculum development, I will strive to ensure our curriculum is comprehensive and regularly updated to meet the evolving needs of students. I support review processes that involve teachers, administrators, subject-matter experts, and parents.
- Data-driven decision-making. I will use data to inform decisions about instructional practices. By analyzing student performance metrics, attendance records, and other relevant data, we can identify areas for improvement, areas to celebrate, and effective ways to allocate resources.
- Creating a positive school culture. I will support a positive District and school culture that values academic achievement, fosters respect, and encourages lifelong learning — strongly supporting initiatives and practices that promote student well-being and a safe environment.
Beyond the priorities
Public schools and parental choice
I believe in our public schools. They are one of the best things a community builds together — the places where our children learn to read, to think, to work hard, and to become the kind of neighbors and citizens we all want to live alongside. Our community and State rely upon a well-educated, capable workforce with strong character and the ability to reason through challenging problems, and our public schools are where those citizens are prepared for the future.
I also believe parents know their children best, and families should have a say in how and where their children learn. Strong support of our public schools and parental choice are not at odds — but we have to be honest that they can be. When school choice pulls funding and families away to the point that our public schools can't do the job we are counting on them to do, everyone loses. I will always work to protect both: honoring what families need, while keeping our public schools strong, well-funded, and able to serve every child who walks through the door.