Albany County School District #1 TrusteeAt-Large, 4-year term: Voters may select 1 candidate for the one expiring position.ACSD#1 Board of Trustees includes nine elected officials, serving 4-year terms in the following areas. Area A refers to the city limits, excluding Cottonwood Estates and Roach Addition; Area B refers to county limits, including Cottonwood Estates and Roach Addition; At-Large includes Areas A and B. The city verses county lines impact which area a candidate can run in. Those that live in the city limits must run in area A or At-Large and those living in the county must run in Area B or At-Large. This ensures a representative from both rural and city areas is elected to represent the interest of the voters. Winners in the General Election will join current Trustees whose terms expire in 2028: Cecilia Aragon (Area A), Emily Siegel-Stanton (Area A), and Kim Sorenson (At-Large).
I believe strong public schools are essential to a thriving community, and every student deserves a high-quality education in a safe and supportive environment. Over the past 4 years on the Board, I have worked to elevate student voice, invest in educators, provide free meals to all students, and support thoughtful, evidence-based decision-making.
Professionally, I bring more than 20 years of experience in education research and policy, giving me insight into national trends and promising practices while reinforcing the importance of local context and community values. I am committed to collaboration, civility, and placing students at the center of every decision. I would be honored to continue bringing that experience and perspective.
Simply put, the Wyoming legislature has not adequately funded public education, despite its constitutional obligation to do so. When public education is underfunded, students, families, and communities all feel the impact.
We have also experienced budget pressures due to declining enrollment as birth rates decline in our state and across the country, leading to fewer students entering schools. These trends have financial impacts even as costs continue to rise.
I will continue advocating for appropriate and sustainable school funding while working to ensure ACSD1 is a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. Our students deserve access to high-quality educators, learning materials, programs, and opportunities that prepare them for success.
Students do best when they have a clear goal and a clear path to reach it. Whether a student's next step after high school is college, the military, technical training, an apprenticeship, or entering the workforce, our job is to help them understand their options and chart a path toward their goals.
I would like to see us continue strengthening career and college advising so students, educators, and families can work together to identify goals and connect students with the courses, experiences, and opportunities that support those goals. When students can see a path forward and understand how their education connects to their future, they are more likely to be engaged, prepared, and successful after graduation.
I believe every student deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and that our schools should recognize the unique strengths and individuality that each student brings to our community.
Our responsibility as a school district is to provide safe, supportive learning environments where all students can learn and thrive. We must follow the law, and we should always look for ways to do so that preserve the dignity, safety, and well-being of every student.
My focus will remain on supporting students, listening to families and educators, and ensuring that decisions are implemented thoughtfully, consistently, and with students' best interests in mind.
