I still remember when our district went virtual during the 2020-21 school year, only to shut down again after barely a month back in person. That was the moment I realized our school administration wasn't putting our students and parents first. Over the last six years, I’ve watched our Board simply nod along and approve every decision without question. Meanwhile, our test scores, enrollment, and academic proficiency have dropped, even as administrative expenses keep rising. I’m running for the School Board because we need a change. We need leaders who will ask the tough questions, challenge the administration to focus on real student results, and get politics and outside agendas out of our classrooms. Most of all, we need to be responsible stewards of your hard-earned taxpayer dollars. I’m ready to bring that accountability back to our schools.
When it comes to our schools, I believe our budget should reflect our deepest values. That is why I will ensure our school administrators start by funding our classrooms—including special education—and our transportation services first. Our kids and teachers need those core essentials to succeed every single day. From there, we will work our way up the budget to support vital areas like athletics, tutoring and student support, building maintenance, community programs, and finally, administration. Furthermore, I am committed to defunding any programs that are not inclusive of all students or fail to promote respect and equality among our students and staff. Every child in our community deserves a supportive, respectful environment where they can thrive, and that starts with putting our classroom funding first.
I believe we need to restore honor and respect for every single person in our community. When I have spoken up at our Board of Education meetings, my message has been simple: it shouldn’t matter what you look like, the color of your skin, how you style your hair, or what clothes you wear. We are all human beings, and we all deserve to be treated equally, included, and respected. Instead of focusing on agendas that can end up dividing us, I want to focus on what brings us together. We don't need designated days to remind us to be kind. Every single day should be a day where we treat one another with real dignity and respect. That is the standard I will fight for.
Schools must be a safe place for both students and staff. I will work hard to ensure Chippewa Valley Schools are safe for everyone, protecting our classrooms from both external and internal threats. To do this, I will consult with safety experts and law enforcement to ensure we have sufficient SROs and keep threats out of our schools. But we shouldn't live in fear or a constant lockdown. We need to work with staff to reduce bullying and harassment, and promote respect. Rather than focusing on differences that divide us, we must treat each other as human beings. I want students and staff to feel safe reporting aggressive behavior, and I will ensure the administration takes these reports seriously and responds with appropriate discipline.
I believe our students deserve a balanced education that prioritizes real learning over digital distractions. Since our district went to one-to-one computers in 2021, we have seen student focus and test scores decline. That is why I want to bring physical textbooks back to our classrooms and homes, helping our kids put away the screens and truly engage with their instruction. When it comes to our school libraries, I do not support banning books, but I do believe in age-appropriate boundaries. We must protect classic literature so we can learn from our history, while keeping sexually graphic material out of school libraries. Let's get back to the basics of education, giving our children the focus, the tools, and the lessons they need to succeed.
As a retired federal employee with a background in auditing and financial execution, I have spent years learning how to be a responsible steward of public funds. I believe our school administrators and Board of Education should treat taxpayer money with the exact same care they would use with their own personal budgets. When we manage public funds, we must strive for the absolute best value. That is why I am against raising taxes or issuing bonds simply because we aren't living within our means. Families in our community have to live within their household budgets, and our schools and local government should do the exact same. If elected, I will work tirelessly to ensure we manage our school funds prudently, maximizing every single dollar to get the best possible value for our community.
According to our latest audited financial statements, our district carries over $681 million in debt with only $529 million in assets. In any business, that would mean bankruptcy. While we know schools aren't run for profit, this debt is paid directly by your tax dollars through our mileages. Right now, we owe over $410 million in bond debt, and there is already talk of adding another $300 million bond, pushing our debt payments even further past 2043. I will work hard to reduce this debt load and lower your taxes. At the same time, I will ensure we properly maintain our school buildings over their lifespans. We need responsible planning so we aren't asking you to approve new tax mileages every single time a school building needs a basic repair like a new roof.
Have questions or suggestions? I would love to hear from you!
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916 Silver Spur Rd, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274