I am running for School Board because I care deeply about education and understand its critical role in building a healthy community.
As a resident and parent with 3 kids in the District for over a decade, I know the importance of good communication. I want to use my experience to make the Board’s decisions more transparent and accessible to District members.
Through my volunteer work in the community, I understand how fortunate I am to have the ability to pitch in. I know many parents and caregivers face conflicting work/ life obligations that prevent them from doing the same. Our families are facing real challenges, and I want to ensure the District offers the support they need.
I am a master-level social worker with years of experience in non-profit community service management and higher education. My skills include: navigating federal contracts, community development, and creating responsive programs.
I value listening, believe in creative solutions, and want better!
1) KidsZone & Program Expansion: Look at solutions to make the program better equipped to engage students, and larger in capacity. I would explore District resources to support expansion, including full day summer programs and other enrichment services.
2) Teacher & Staff Retention: Work with teachers, support staff, and ancillary service providers to inquire how best to offer support. The District needs to stay competitive in salaries and other related benefits to retain quality personal.
3) Safety & Well-Being: Work to ensure District safety is of utmost importance, both physical and behavioral. I feel it is imperative to address security infrastructure and behavioral/ mental health on a regular basis to assess for patterns and oversights; “safety” should be a standing agenda item considering needs and evidence supported best-practices change. Students and staff deserve a safe environment to support engaged learning.
M-Step readiness tasks would be supported in each priority.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
I am a proud Berkley Schools graduate, and, as I have moved forward in my life, I continue to realize the immense opportunities this district provided me. When my wife and I were looking to buy our first home, we knew we wanted to be in the Berkley School District. Now, as young parents we are thrilled our son is a future Roger Raccoon, Anderson Viking and Berkley Bear.
But my desire to serve this community goes beyond my own family; I want every kid to be afforded the same opportunities I was and be prepared to meet the challenges of the world after they graduate. Moreover, I have spent my entire professional life working in civic engagement and democracy research. Not only do I think my professional experience makes me well equipped to be an effective community advocate on the board, it aligns with my values. I believe public schools are the backbone of a thriving democracy, and I want to do the hands-on work to ensure the Berkley Schools helps every kid engage in the world.
1. Ensure we have cutting edge curriculum to support the needs of our students and prepare them for the future beyond high school graduation. Whether that is post-secondary education, trade school, or professional life, we need to be researching and implementing curriculum that meets the needs of our students.
2. Oversee the implementation and long-term success of bond through careful planning and fiscal responsibility. This means continuing to build the new facilities voters asked for and ensure the budget is set to maintain them into the future.
3. Build on the excellent work of the district by continuing to attract the best and brightest teachers and making sure students and staff are our number one priority.
