VOTE411 Voter Guide

As a dedicated and involved father of two young girls just beginning their school journey, I’m invested in building an inclusive, welcoming school community where all students can thrive. Professionally, I bring strong analytical experience that helps me evaluate complex challenges and make informed decisions. My background in public service has taught me the importance of thoughtful, inclusive decision-making that is grounded in transparency, accountability, and a willingness to listen. I believe that school board members must engage the community openly and with humility, always keeping students and families at the center of our work. I’m also the husband of a career educator, whose perspective reminds me daily of the dedication our teachers bring to the classroom and the importance of supporting them in that work. Together, these experiences shape how I approach this role: with clarity, empathy, and a commitment to doing what’s best for kids.

The three most pressing issues the school board is facing are: rebuilding trust and repairing relationships with the community, addressing ongoing budget challenges with transparency and long-term sustainability, and improving academic rigor and student achievement while continuing to support and strengthen inclusive, welcoming school environments for all students.

Rebuilding trust starts with meaningful community engagement through regular, accessible opportunities for students, families, staff, and community members to share their experiences. Every voice matters. I believe in involving stakeholders at every step. When we co-create solutions with educators, students, families, and support staff, we build stronger, more sustainable outcomes. That means inclusive, respectful, and clearly communicated decision-making. Transparency builds trust. Clear and consistent communication helps people stay informed and feel valued. Whether it's budgeting, curriculum, or facilities, the community deserves to know what’s happening and why. Every decision should improve the lives of students, teachers, and families. Real progress happens when we come together. Our students are our future, and our schools are the foundation of that future. Working in partnership, we can build environments where everyone thrives. We are better together!

Ensuring the safety of all students means creating a supportive environment where every child feels physically, emotionally, and psychologically secure. That includes maintaining strong safety protocols, improving building security where needed, and supporting emergency preparedness. Just as important, safety also means fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and mental health support. I will advocate for continued investment in counselors, social-emotional learning, and strong collaboration with local responders and agencies to ensure we’re prepared and coordinated in the event of a crisis. Listening to students and staff, being transparent about safety measures, and regularly reviewing policies will help ensure we’re meeting the needs of the whole child.

Supporting the diverse needs of our district requires a commitment to listening, learning, and building systems that reflect and respond to the community’s values. That begins with accessible opportunities for meaningful community engagement focusing on solutions. We all want what is best for our students. I believe in involving stakeholders at every step. When we co-create solutions with educators, students, families, and support staff, we build stronger, more sustainable outcomes. That could include forming advisory groups, holding listening sessions, and ensuring decision-making processes are inclusive, respectful, and well-communicated. A strong process also means being clear and consistent about how decisions are made. Transparency builds trust, and regular, open communication helps the community stay informed and feel valued. By grounding our work in collaboration, openness, and thoughtful process, we can better meet the unique and evolving needs of students in our district.

I’m a mom, attorney, and community advocate running for Olympia School Board because every student deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated. As a public servant, I’ve worked through complex systems with clarity and compassion. I bring that same focus to education—especially as a parent navigating special education firsthand. I know how policy decisions impact real families. I believe in transparency, equity, and meeting students where they are. I’ve listened to parents, educators, and students across Olympia, and I’m ready to show up, ask tough questions, and lead with heart. Our students deserve schools that reflect their needs and help them thrive—both in school and in our community.

The three most pressing issues facing Olympia School District are rebuilding trust, ensuring sustainable budgeting, and meeting all students where they are. Families have shared that decisions around school closures and budget cuts often feel rushed and disconnected from their input. We need transparency and accountability that includes community voices early and clearly explains why decisions are made. Budget challenges—like declining elementary enrollment, capped special education funding, and inflation—require long-term planning rooted in student needs, not just numbers. And most importantly, we must invest in supports that help every student thrive—academic help, mental health care, special education, and inclusive programs that reflect our district’s diversity.

The most important issue is ensuring the district’s budget prioritizes meeting students where they are—providing the resources and tools every child needs to thrive. To address this, I support transparent, long-term budgeting that goes beyond just balancing numbers. We must invest strategically in special education, mental health services, academic support, and inclusive programs that reflect the diverse needs of our students. This means advocating for full funding at the state level and thoughtful resource allocation locally. It also means engaging families, educators, and community members in open conversations about priorities and trade-offs, so we build trust and make decisions centered on student success—not just financial constraints.

Ensuring the safety of all students requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond physical security measures. It starts with creating a school culture where every student feels seen, respected, and supported. That means investing in trained counselors, mental health resources, and restorative practices that address conflicts before they escalate. Collaboration with families, staff, and local agencies is key to identifying risks and responding quickly. Transparency and clear communication with the community about safety policies help build trust. Finally, I support ongoing training for staff and students on topics like bullying prevention, de-escalation, and emergency preparedness. Safety is holistic—it includes emotional well-being, physical security, and fostering an environment where all students can learn and grow without fear.

Balancing the needs of students, teachers, and parents requires open, respectful dialogue and a commitment to listening deeply to all voices. Students need supportive environments and resources to thrive academically and emotionally. Teachers deserve professional respect, meaningful collaboration, and the tools and training necessary to excel in their roles. Parents want transparency, clear communication, and assurance their children’s needs are met. My approach is to create spaces where all stakeholders feel heard and valued, recognizing that their perspectives often overlap and inform one another. By focusing on shared goals—student success and well-being—we can build collaborative solutions that honor everyone’s concerns. I believe in transparency, ongoing engagement, and flexibility to adapt as needs evolve, always centering decisions on what best supports the whole school community.

Ive been a father for 35 years in Thurston County, raised four kids and built a successful business. I believe I have the perspective and skills necessary to be a successful director, as a business owner, I recognize the value of a positive culture and the effect it will have in achieving goals. Fiscal responsibility is an area I have a lot of experience, I have strong problem solving skills, Im confident I can be a resource for our budget. Im very task driven, especially for programs Im passionate about, if elected, I will work diligently to improve our program.

We have excessive wages committed to our Administration, we need to re-visit salary levels, review effectiveness of positions and modernize tasks.

I would like to see a greater emphasis invested in skilled labor training for students, include local apprenticeship programs and private business, provide students exposure to jobs they may not be familiar with, and bridge opportunities between business and future employees.

Student safety is critical, I will advocate for a return of SRO'S to campus.

We have to modernize our procedures and reduce administrative overhead, we can't afford an administrative staf that is paid far beyond comparable positions within the community. Becoming fiscally responsible will open doors for students, and build staff confidence. We need new perspectives and fresh ideas, I look forward to the opportunity.

No one can make that guarantee, I believe the need for return of SRO's to campus is a good place to start.

Our primary focus should lie in Academics, Civics, and Physical/Mental health. We need to provide clear and consistent policy that supports this endeavor, being consistent enables students the ability to build critical thinking skills, free of outside influence. We should empower our teachers to encourage and support students, include them in our decisions, they are our connection to students, their input is invaluable. We also need to maintain open lines of communication with parents and the community, being transparent is critical to earning trust. The community entrust us with their children, we should never take that for granted.