Education
BS Northwestern University, JD Washburn School of Law, MBA University of Kansas
Current Public Office, dates held
None
Past Public Office, dates held
None
Military experience
None
Volunteer experience
Boys & Girls Club, Junior Achievement, Church, youth sports, Homeowner Assoc Board, non-profit boards
I am running for the Gretna School Board to be an advocate for our kids’ future. We must work as a cohesive team committed to preparing our children for the opportunities and challenges that will await them in our vibrant growing community. My leadership background with kids and community causes, as well as a results-oriented business builder, lawyer, and strategic visionary, can help propel Gretna and our children forward.
My priorities will be on better educational outcomes for the taxes we pay:
-Achievement and readiness for post HS paths in our fast growing Gretna
-Investing in people and programs to best deliver on our sacred educational trust
-Reducing property taxes with local control
-Open transparent dialogue with stakeholders
The school board role should primarily focus on being a strong advocate for our kids future by ensuring our public school system is preparing kids for the future of community. As one of the fastest growing cities in Nebraska, the board and superintendent must set policy and vision of the next decades so our kids are best prepared to thrive in whatever their future holds. Our superintendent’s primary role is to be the CEO for the district holding the team accountable and building a culture aligned to board and community goals. Both are responsible for the prudent use of property taxes, allowing open feedback from all local citizens, and candid reflection on what’s working and is not. I plan to leverage my experience building businesses.
Parents play an integral role in preparing our kids for their futures and what our Gretna community will look like in the next decades. They can share their valuable input, partner with schools on career opportunities, and help foster the values we need our kids to succeed. They can strive for achieving the best educational engagement for all kids in Gretna, no matter whether they are top student or not. I’m a big believer that culture must be built and it takes a whole community. Respect and accountability are critical values where we all must play a part in order for our kids to maximize their potential. We can achieve better student readiness and lower taxes through future thinking, financial prudence, and a focus on student results.
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Education
Bachelors Degree, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Economics
Current Public Office, dates held
Gretna Board of Education, 2012-Present
Past Public Office, dates held
None
Military experience
None
Volunteer experience
Rally for the Cure Cancer Fundraiser, Gretna Schools PTO/Booster Club, Faith Westwood United Methodist Church.
I am running for the school board to provide consistent leadership and use the knowledge I have gained the past 12 years on the Board. I am excited about the possibilities that exist with our team of administrators, the development of a comprehensive plan, and the opportunities that exist because we have managed our growth.
My priorities are to support creative solutions in how we maximize our district resources, for example teacher retention programs. Support opportunities where being bigger can provide more opportunities for our students. I will ensure that as we continue to grow we maintain a consistent experience for all students and staff across our district.
My role as a school board member is to use my individual perspective and experiences to bring input and ideas to develop Board goals, policy and building projects. I must be willing to ask questions and listen to the answers, determine what is the relevant information, and then work to find the best way forward. I am responsible to commit my time and attention to regular meetings, continuing education, and building relationships with my fellow board members.
The superintendent and administration are responsible for the day-to-day operations and implementation of Board goals and policy. The administration needs to be empowered to act and utilize the Board as an active partner in pursuit of excellence for our district.
The relationship between school, family, and community is one of the reasons Gretna is a great district. It starts with a basic assumption of trust, all want to see the student succeed, but each has a unique perspective, when parents and schools share relevant information with each other we can maximize a students success.