Campaign Phone
7148619408
Neighborhood/area of residence
Wilmington DE
Are you currently a school board member? (Y/N)
Y
How many school board meetings did you attend last year?
5
For six years I was a United States Army officer. During that time I had to command, guide, teach and prepare hundreds of soldiers and cadets from a variety of backgrounds. This included during a year-long combat deployment for which I was awarded a Bronze Star. I have also been a lawyer for over sixteen years. During that time I have managed major financial transactions for my employer involving numerous multinational corporations. I believe the analytical and communications skills I have honed as a lawyer and an officer for almost two decades are currently helping me as a board member and will continue to do so.
Improving student academic outcomes is the most important issue facing the Brandywine School District. For any school district, the primary purpose of that entity is to create the environment where students can learn to the best of their ability and prepare for life after high school. The BSD needs to prepare its students better in part by increasing their reading and math proficiency. Once that occurs, all additional post-graduate options can be explored.
A school board should listen to the concerns of the community. This should be a universal response as a school board is designed to reflect the values and vision of the community. However, the board members do not surrender their individual principles or judgment. I believe the school board should investigate the material in question and allow the superintendent/principal/or teacher to explain why such material has been chosen. The school board initial position should be to defer to the choices of the professional educators and let the materials remain absent an extremely clear and convincing argument against such action.
The school board needs to constantly reviewing and reevaluating the education plan put forth by the superintendent. In that review, the school board needs to make sure that in addition to reviewing the overall accomplishments and progress of the student body, attention is also paid to the results from the traditionally underserved community to make sure their results are in line with the general student body's. Additionally, a school board needs to request from the superintendent a plan of action regarding the budget and operations for special education services to make sure they are in line with state and federal law.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
The current system of funding will not be adequate in the near future. With changing property tax assessments and potentially changing rates of taxation, the current system of funding schools and government generally is in flux and needs to be stabilized. Additionally, state funds that have been provided over the last few years in order to adhere to numerous courts orders are more of a stopgap solution rather than a dedicated, focuses solution to deal with funding of schools. I would suggest stabilizing the tax rates/assessment situation first so that the state and district will have a better idea as to what amount of tax revenue will be raised on a yearly basis and then create the district budget around that.
Let the current plan implemented by the superintendent continue through the school year and then assess how much academic progress has been made. If we as a board believe not enough progress has been made, then we need to ask the superintendent to alter her current learning plan, taking into account the areas of least growth or actual decline We should ask her to tailor her plan to address those specific areas rather than creating an entirely different plan. Finally, the school board needs to revaluate the budget to meet these new objectives and initiatives.
Campaign Phone
3025991571
Neighborhood/area of residence
Northwest Wilmington
Are you currently a school board member? (Y/N)
N
How many school board meetings did you attend last year?
2
I bring a background in human resources, community development, and strategic outreach. As a community liaison, I’ve worked to connect families to resources. My HR and community experience give me a unique understanding of both policy and people. I’m running to ensure transparency, equity, and stronger parent involvement, especially for those who may feel overwhelmed or unheard in the system.
One of the most pressing issues is the gap in student support—especially for families dealing with external challenges like housing instability, food insecurity, and lack of internet access. I would push for stronger school-community partnerships, improved wraparound services, and intentional outreach to ensure all students have the support they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.
When concerns arise, the board should respond with a clear, transparent review process that includes input from educators, administrators, and the broader community.
We must balance listening to community voices with upholding academic integrity, access to diverse perspectives, and the professional judgment of educators. The goal is to ensure that curriculum decisions reflect facts, inclusivity, and the skills students need to succeed in a diverse and global society.
It's intentionality. I would advocate for deeper data analysis to identify gaps in access, outcomes, and support. From there, we must fund interventions appropriately—whether it’s language services, targeted tutoring, or family outreach programs—ensuring every student gets what they need to thrive, not just the same as everyone else.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
The current system is inadequate. I would advocate for transitioning from the "unit count" funding model to a weighted student funding formula that allocates resources based on specific student needs. This approach would ensure a more equitable distribution of funds across districts.
I would support efforts to actively pursue federal and private grants to supplement funding. We should also provide districts with greater flexibility in how they use allocated funds, allowing them to address unique local challenges effectively.
We need to start by understanding what’s holding students back—both academically and outside the classroom. I would advocate for more individualized support, including tutoring, mentorship, and mental health services, while also promoting high expectations and engaging, culturally relevant instruction. By investing in both students and teachers, we raise the bar for achievement across the board.
