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As an incumbent, I can say with a certain amount of confidence that my experience as an attorney, that is, my advocacy and litigation skills and familiarity with contracts, collective bargaining agreements, administrative law and Constitutional law, have served me well over the last four years in my capacity as a Board Trustee and that I have been an asset to the Clio Area School Board. I currently serve as its Vice-President and Parliamentarian.
Four years ago when I first ran for Clio School Board, I ran as the “Parents’ Advocate,” focused on preserving parents’ right to determine the education of their children. This remains my focus. I support policies which safeguard parents making the critical decisions about what is taught in their child’s classroom and the extent to which their child may be unwillingly exposed to sensitive subjects or compelled to take part in some unwanted social experimentation. I also share parents' concern about the quality of their children's education, which has been sorely lacking in public K-12 schools.
My priorities are success in the core mission of public schools: curriculum content and student achievement. Parents want their children to become educated, kind and upstanding citizens. The public school system is the junior partner in creating such citizens and it must provide a foundation of the fundamentals – reading, writing, arithmetic and civics, along with STEM and other courses needed for Clio students to succeed. The modest improvement in reading and math literacy that has been made in Clio Schools over the past few years is welcome, but insufficient. I will continue to support and fund programs that are aimed at increasing student proficiency in reading, math and civics.
The challenge is to overcome external pressure to include curriculum and teaching methods that erode the parents’ primary role and that sow seeds of divisiveness rather than societal unity. The promotion of radical transgenderism, with its pronoun bullying, boys invading girls’ safe spaces and sports, and body mutilation, still poses a threat to K-12 students attending public schools. Another area of concern is the erosion of local decision-making in education. Our public schools are the product of state and federal mandates with a “one-size-fits-all” approach to education; however, it is local school boards who know how best to teach their students.
In addition to my work as a school board member, I work for our family business, Latter Day Restoration Services LLC (LDRS). LDRS is a facilities management company which specializes in the repair and renovation of church buildings. I am married to Phill Cotter, a long-time Clio resident. We have a household of 3 dogs and 2 cats. Phill raised 7 children in Clio and we have 6 grandchildren. Phill & I are active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Campaign Phone
8109190199
Education
Masters of Leadership of Education
Experience
8 years on Clio Area School Board
Campaign Message
Creating a community of leaders from a community of learners.
I bring a unique perspective as both a teacher and a former school board member of eight years. As a teacher, I understand firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing students, educators, and families. As a former board member, I understand school governance, policy, budgeting, community concerns, and the importance of working collaboratively with administrators. These experiences have taught me to listen, ask questions, examine information, and make thoughtful decisions. I would bring classroom experience, board experience, and a strong commitment to students and the community.
I am running because I care deeply about students, public education, and the future of our community. As a teacher, I see every day how district decisions affect students and educators. Having previously served eight years on a school board, I also understand the responsibility that comes with representing families and the community. I believe my experience on both sides of education allows me to bring a balanced perspective to the board. I want to continue serving my community, listening to others, and helping create opportunities for every student to succeed.
My priorities are student achievement, positive school climate, support for educators, fiscal responsibility, and strong communication. As a teacher, I know students need strong instruction, appropriate support, consistent expectations, and meaningful relationships. As a former board member, I understand the importance of responsible budgeting, effective policy, and accountability. I would listen to educators, families, students, and community members while using available information to guide decisions. I would focus on policies and resources that support student success while respecting the roles of the board, superintendent, and staff.
School districts will continue to face challenges involving student achievement, staffing, student behavior, finances, technology, and changing student needs. Boards will also need to balance competing priorities while being responsible stewards of district resources. Strong communication and community trust will be increasingly important. My experience as both a teacher and an eight-year school board member has taught me the importance of listening, collaboration, and informed decision-making. I would work to understand different perspectives, focus on the district's goals, and maintain a clear distinction between board governance and day-to-day administration.
I would like voters to know that I bring experience from both the classroom and the school board. I understand the daily realities educators and students face, while my eight years of board service have taught me about governance, policy, budgeting, and community responsibility. I believe effective leadership requires listening, collaboration, accountability, and respect for different perspectives. I understand that board service is about serving the entire community, not one individual or group. I would bring experience, dedication, and a student-centered approach to the position.
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Campaign Phone
8103489518
Education
Clio High School Graduate
Experience
I began working for Clio Schools during my senior year of high school. In 1986, I was hired as a gymnastics coach. In 1990, at the recommendation of the previous director, I became the Director of Clio Gymnastics. I retired after 20 years of service.
Community Involvement
I'm the Coordinator of the Tuesday Community Luncheon that meets at Bristol Road Church of Christ from 11:30 - 1:00 PM every Tuesday. We provide a FREE hot meal, hygiene products, clothing, & Bibles. Everyone is welcome!
Campaign Message
STAYING NEUTRAL PROVIDES A SAFE SPACE FOR ALL STUDENTS! Strong schools build strong communities. I am ready to listen & learn from students, teachers & staff!
I have dedicated my adult life to serving Clio Schools, my community, and my church. During 20 years as a gymnastics coach and director, I taught children, led staff, managed programs, communication, fundraising, schedules, and events, and created promotional materials. I have volunteered in Clio Schools as the popcorn lady, copy lady, and Student of the Month coordinator. At church, I have coordinated HANGTIME, Bible Hour, JESUS Way Kids, Vacation Bible School, Lads to Leaders, Ladies Day, Good Samaritan, and church remodel committees. I also served as secretary for the HIS Ministry Board. These experiences have strengthened my leadership and commitment to serving others.
In fourth grade, my granddaughter told her teacher she could not listen to an LGBTQ book being read in class because its subject conflicted with our Christian beliefs. After explaining why, she was sent to the hall each day the book was read, and classmates mocked her. In fifth grade, a boy was removed from class and punished after a student teacher discussed homosexuality and he spoke against it. In sixth grade, she told me about LGBTQ signs displayed at school and being assigned a boy who identifies as a girl as her locker partner. I want us to remain neutral and only promote MUSTANG pride not select groups. Let's UNIFY as MUSTANGS!
FOUNDATIONAL VALUES: Grounded in strong community standards, integrity, and respect for all students & families.
EDUCATOR SUPPORT:
Partnering directly with teachers to listen to their needs and empower their work in the classroom.
STUDENT SUCCESS: Fostering a safe, welcoming & positive environment where every Mustang can thrive.
God holds the future in His hands, so anything else would be a guess. Rather than predict the future, I would prefer to imagine what our school could look like if we adopted and enforced the ORANGE RULE: Treat others the way you want to be treated! I would like to see orange measuring tapes awarded to students who perform acts of kindness, encourage others—including the teachers who work hard to help them learn—and serve their community. I’m sure we could come up with many ways for students to help in the community and reduce bullying by setting an example, such as sitting with the student no one else sits with, not engaging in gossip or fights online.
Schools should promote truth! When this happened to my granddaughter, I went to the assistant principal. I was then directed to the school board, the superintendent, and then went back to the school board. I didn’t come with a complaint; I came with a solution: remain neutral and use signs featuring Clio’s colors rather than promoting the LGBTQ movement. It didn’t work. The signs were still displayed at the end of last school year.
I am a Christian, and my favorite verse is Colossians 3:23: ‘Whatever your hands find to do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.’ This is what I have tried to do throughout my life. If I don’t give it my all, I feel I’m letting God down.
