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Phone
(253) 544-8142
Email
laura4kentschools@gmail.com
Town where you live
Kent
Experience (300 characters max)
I’m a longtime public school teacher with 15 years of experience working with at-risk students. I serve on my teachers union board and local Democratic board, where I advocate for equity, strong public schools, and policies that reflect our community’s needs and values.
Cell phones can be valuable tools, but they often distract from learning and social connection during the school day. Schools should implement clear, age-appropriate policies that limit personal device use during instructional time while allowing access for educational purposes or emergencies. These policies should be developed with input from educators, students, and families, ensuring they are equitable and consistent across schools. Enforcement should be respectful and restorative, not punitive. Schools should also educate students on responsible digital habits and the impact of constant connectivity on mental health and academic success. Balancing structure with flexibility allows schools to foster focus, safety, and respect for students’ needs in a tech-driven world.
Addressing a financial deficit requires transparency, collaboration, and a commitment to protecting student learning. I would begin by thoroughly reviewing the budget, seeking input from educators, staff, families, and community members to understand priorities and impacts. My approach would prioritize keeping cuts away from classrooms, preserving programs that support academic success, mental health, and equity. I would advocate for long-term solutions, including state-level funding reforms, and explore cost-saving opportunities through partnerships, grants, and operational efficiencies. Clear communication with the community is essential to build trust and ensure that decisions are made openly and responsibly.
My top priority is to ensure that every dollar directly supports student success and well-being. I believe funding should first go toward maintaining safe, inclusive, and well-resourced classrooms, with strong investments in educators, support staff, and programs that meet students’ academic, emotional, and social needs. I support funding for services that address opportunity gaps, such as mental health support, multilingual learning, and special education. I also value extracurriculars and the arts, which help students thrive. Budget decisions must be transparent, data-informed, and guided by community input—especially from those most impacted. Every student deserves access to the resources they need to succeed.
School districts can improve transparency and communication by creating accessible, consistent, and multilingual channels for sharing information and gathering input. This includes clear updates on decisions, budgets, and policies through websites, social media, newsletters, and in-person meetings. Families should have meaningful opportunities to engage—through town halls, advisory groups, and feedback surveys—where their voices are heard and valued. Districts must actively reach out to historically underrepresented communities and meet families where they are, using culturally responsive practices. Transparency also means clearly explaining the “why” behind decisions and showing how community input was considered. Trust grows when communication is open, timely, and responsive.
