Candidate has not yet responded.

Candidate has not yet responded.

Candidate has not yet responded.

I bring extensive experience in public service, policy implementation, and community advocacy. As a former Child Support Case Manager and a two-year member of the Awbrey Park Elementary Site Council, I understand the complexities of education policy, budgeting, and family engagement. I have experience in problem-solving, stakeholder collaboration, and ensuring equitable access to resources. My background in legal and administrative roles equips me to analyze policies, make data-driven decisions, and advocate for student success.

The District must adhere to federal and state laws regarding curriculum standards, student rights, special education, and funding regulations. This includes ensuring compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Title IX protections, and state-mandated graduation requirements. Effective governance requires balancing these obligations with local priorities, advocating for necessary resources, and ensuring policies are applied equitably to support all students and educators.

Key priorities include improving student outcomes, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and strengthening community engagement. Addressing learning loss and graduation rates requires evidence-based interventions and equitable resource distribution. Budget transparency is essential to maintaining quality programs and supporting educators. Additionally, fostering open communication between families, teachers, and administrators will help ensure policies reflect the needs of our diverse student population.

I have been serving on the Eugene School District 4J Board since an appointment in October 2023. Prior to that, I served on the Eugene School District 4J Budget Committee from 2021-2023. Prior to that I was a volunteer in my children's schools. I also served on the Site Councils of McCornack Elementary, Kennedy Middle and Churchill High schools. I have also previously served on the following boards or committees: Lane County Parks Funding Task Force, Whole Earth Nature School Board, Wiggly Tails Dog Rescue Board and The 86 Hunger Foundation Board as Board President.

The district has to comply with complex regulations from both state and educational policies. These policies are numerous and range from regulations about instructional minutes, graduation requirements, PE and recess minutes, instructional days, curriculum guidelines/mandates, safety guidelines, health and mental health care, accommodations for disabled and special education students, passing financial audits, etc. Compliance with these policies affects funding.

We have several issues facing our district: below goal graduation and 5-year completion rates especially for vulnerable and marginalized students, chronic absenteeism, student mental health struggles and difficulties, declining enrollment rates with resulting decreased state funding, insufficient supports for disabled and special education students, poor staff retention with many classified and certified staff leaving the profession. We address these by working closely with students and their families to find root causes and work together to meet needs. We work collaboratively with our employee groups for solutions to our toughest problems. And we work with community partners to find where we can work together for lasting solutions.