Endorsements
Bismarck Education Association
My priorities are centered on supporting students, educators, staff, and families in BPS. I also champion communication, transparency, financial responsibility, and accountability. First and foremost, students must remain at the center of every decision. I believe every student deserves access to a safe, supportive, and high-quality learning environment that helps prepare them for success, whether that path leads to college, technical education, the workforce, or choice ready careers
Ensuring adequate funding starts with responsible planning, transparency, and strong advocacy for the needs of students and schools. I believe in carefully evaluating priorities, using taxpayer dollars responsibly, and making decisions that balance long-term financial stability with educational needs. I support open communication with the community, collaboration with district leadership, and continued advocacy at the local and state levels to help ensure BPS success.
School board members help shape the vision, priorities, and accountability of a school district. While they are not involved in day-to-day classroom teaching, they help drive academic outcomes by setting goals, reviewing student achievement data, approving budgets, supporting educators, and ensuring resources are focused on student success. Effective board members help create the conditions that allow students, teachers, and schools to thrive.
To recruit and retain strong teachers and staff we must ensure people feel valued, supported, and heard. I believe educators should have the ability to further their education and professional growth, while also ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to succeed. Equally important, we must have an engaged and positive culture of communication, support, and appreciation. Communication and transparency ar essential to keep great educators, community support, and ensure student success.
I would be a champion for the school district by actively engaging with students, families, educators, staff, and the community. I enjoy outreach, awareness, and building strong relationships through open communication, following through. I believe listening matters and offer thoughtful, respectful conversations, even difficult ones—to help build trust, strengthen partnerships, and support the long-term success of Bismarck Public Schools. As a 20 year volunteer of BPS, I am deeply involved
Campaign Phone Number
7014716059
Teacher Recruitment and Retention - school districts across America are facing a workforce shortage and I believe the Bismarck School District is facing similar issues. Without a focus on recruiting and retaining high quality teachers and professional staff the district cannot meet the academic needs of our students.
I would focus on responsible budgeting, advocating for fair state funding, and aligning resources with student needs. This includes evaluating programs for effectiveness and maintaining transparency with the community about how funds are used.
School board members help drive academic success by setting clear priorities and policies that support teachers, strengthen school leadership, and ensure resources are focused on teaching and learning.
On recruitment, it is essential to build and sustain a culture where great people want to work—one that treats teachers as respected professionals, not just employees.
On retention, we must value teachers’ professional expertise by involving them in decision-making, protecting their instructional time, and providing meaningful, high-quality professional development. When teachers feel respected and supported, they are more likely to stay and thrive, which ultimately benefits students.
I would be a strong advocate by listening to our community, supporting our teachers and school leaders, and clearly communicating the great work happening in our schools. Being a champion means building trust, sharing an accurate and positive story about our district, and ensuring every decision reflects what is best for students, teachers, and staff.
Campaign Phone Number
7015166422
My priorities are to support teacher recruitment and retention by strengthening school-community relationships, protect and expand arts and career readiness programs, and ensure funding decisions reflect the needs and values of our parents and community.
I believe our budget must reflect our values, placing the needs of students and families at the center of every financial choice. Budgeting requires looking beyond numbers to understand the community they serve. Effective leadership involves weighing the broader impact of every decision; therefore, I will diligently seek diverse perspectives from across the district and community to inform my votes. My ultimate goal is to ensure every student has the resources they need to thrive.
In alignment with the BPS mission to "Empower Every Learner to Thrive," board members must uphold a vision of rigorous, well-rounded curricula and clear pathways to success. My role will be to translate community expectations into student-centered policy and fiscal responsibility. I am committed to empowering educators through a culture of respect and trust, ensuring resources reach the classroom to directly improve academic outcomes for every student in our district.
My professional work with the ND RISE State Mentoring Program provides a direct window into the challenges North Dakota educators face. I will advocate for initiatives that prioritize teacher retention, clear leadership pathways, and professional satisfaction, knowing that a supported teacher is a student's greatest asset. I am committed to fostering a culture where staff feel valued, heard, and empowered to focus on student success.
Being a champion for our schools requires active listening, informed advocacy, and a commitment to the whole child. With four children raised in Bismarck Public Schools, from middle school to college age, I have a personal stake in every classroom’s success. I will champion BPS through three key pillars: valuing arts and extracurriculars, supporting our educators, and bridging the gap between school and community by strengthening local relationships.
Campaign Phone Number
701-955-0027
My top priority is ensuring every student has a safe, supportive, high-quality learning environment. I believe student well-being and academic success are deeply connected. I will focus on strong academic outcomes, responsible resource allocation, and meaningful engagement with families, staff, and the community to ensure decisions remain student-centered.
I prioritize transparent, strategic budgeting aligned to student needs. School funding is complex, so long-term planning and clear community communication are essential. I will advocate for sustainable state funding, ensure responsible use of resources, and focus investments on what most directly supports student learning, staff, and safe facilities. I am also not afraid to go to the community to ensure that funding needs are reflective of what the public wants for its students and facilities.
School board members set vision, goals, and accountability for student outcomes. While not involved in daily instruction, they ensure strong leadership, effective policies, and aligned resources. By monitoring data and asking thoughtful questions, the board creates the conditions for continuous improvement and student success.
Retention starts with valuing educators. Competitive pay matters, but so does a positive, supportive culture. I would support professional development, leadership opportunities, and collaboration, while ensuring staff have the tools they need. Listening to educators and responding to their needs is key to keeping strong teachers in our schools.
I am a visible, informed advocate who listens and communicates openly with the community. I celebrate successes, address challenges transparently, and engage respectfully across perspectives. Most importantly, I consistently center decisions on what is best for students and stand strong in support of public education. I have been and will continue to be a champion for Bismarck Public Schools and public education in general.
