As a parent of a Sarasota County public school student, I have spent the past four years actively serving our schools, listening to teachers, supporting students, and advocating for families. My experience goes beyond attending meetings, and I didn't just step into this race a couple of months ago. I have worked alongside educators and school leaders as PTO President at Southside Elementary, I've served as a Reading Partner volunteer, and I am honored to be the incoming President of the Southside School Foundation for the Arts. These roles have given me firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges facing our schools. I am running because I believe strong schools are built through collaboration, transparency, and trust.
To attract and retain excellent teachers, we must create a culture where educators feel valued, supported, and heard. Competitive compensation matters, but so does respect, strong leadership, manageable workloads, and opportunities for professional growth. As a School Board member, I will listen to teachers, advocate for policies that support their success, and ensure resources are directed to classrooms. Having worked closely with educators as a PTO President, volunteer, and school advocate, I know that when we invest in teachers, students thrive.
Maintaining our A-rated district while addressing declining enrollment starts with a simple goal: earn families' trust back. We must better communicate the incredible opportunities already available in our schools while continuing to innovate and prepare students for the future. That means expanding STEAM programs, growing workforce and technical education pathways, increasing nursing and healthcare programs, and deepening partnerships with State College of Florida and local employers. As a parent, I know families want excellent academics, opportunity, and choice. By investing in programs that meet students' interests and future career goals, we can attract more families, increase enrollment, and keep Sarasota County Schools among the best.
Maintaining a commitment to student success amid financial pressures and outside distractions. We need to keep our attention on education, ensuring students receive a high-quality education while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. As a School Board member, I will advocate for transparency, accountability, and strategic budgeting that prioritizes classrooms and teachers. I will also work to build public-private partnerships, strengthen community support, and identify innovative funding opportunities. I am a collaborative leader who brings people together, and I will work to keep the Board united and centered on what matters most: student achievement and preparing every child for success inside the classroom and beyond.
As a parent with a child in Sarasota County public schools, the most positive aspect is our people. I see dedicated teachers, caring staff, engaged families, and students who are supported and encouraged to succeed. Sarasota County offers outstanding academic, arts, athletic, and career-focused opportunities, all within a community that truly cares about children. With strong leadership focused on students, not politics, we can continue building trust and strengthening our schools.
Obtained a BS in Business Management/Business Law: Univ. of Maryland
10 years in Sales/ Budgets/Management
Obtained a MS in Community Counseling and MS in Marriage and Family Therapy (License as LPC)
Independent Living Coordinator for Foster Care/ Department of Social Services in Maryland
7 years as a Pre-School owner/Educator birth to age 10 with Multiple Locations.
23 years as Licensed Counselor working as a therapist in-patient with families, school-based therapist with 3 school districts, IFS services for in-home crisis family , private practice, consulting with Sarasota Schools.
6 years in military:Air National Guard.
All of the above experiences will allow me to contribute to the Superintendent, teachers, families, and budgets.
Our teachers need immediate increase in pay. We can adopt bonus structures and write grants for programs teachers can directly lead.
Teachers should be in the drivers seat in determining curriculum and should have more of a voice in the selection process.
We need to implement exit interviews to give concrete feedback from teachers.
Medical benefits need to be examined again to decrease deductibles.
Declining enrollment can be avoided by presenting a balanced and academic only focus. Politics has to be removed from the board room.
Parents need to be called and interviewed to determine WHY they left.
We need to establish an aggressive marketing plan to highlight our strengths.
Funding of our teachers needs to be protected and any temporary positions needs to be disclosed.
Welcoming our parents and investing in them to volunteer in the classrooms for literacy or other roles creates a buy-in for long -term investment and no cost to the district.
The most important issue is the low literacy rates. We have 30% of 3rd graders who can’t read on grade level. We have to re-invest in Phonics and bring volunteers into the classroom.
Our 10th graders only read at 61%. This impacts their job decisions as this is a pivotal point of determining their life career choices.
Literacy coaches need to be implements in ALL classrooms if needed.
Sarasota School District has an exciting growth potential in terms of schools, work force opportunities, and academics. We need to communicate this growth in terms of long term growth and not focus on the low enrollment because the right advertising can bring the new families to the school house gates. Parents have to be welcomed and feel welcomed after the trying time we have had.
My connection to Sarasota County public schools is personal. My wife taught in the district, and all four of our children graduated from Sarasota County public schools. I've served through Booker High School's School Advisory Council, the Career Readiness program, Friends of the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library, and as President of the Board at Star Lab, where we help young students build strong reading skills. Professionally, I've spent 30 years leading people, managing budgets, and making difficult decisions. I know how to listen, build consensus, and stay focused on results. That is the leadership I will bring to the School Board.
Teachers stay where they are respected, supported, and given the tools to do their jobs well. The Board sets that tone. I will spend time listening to teachers, reduce unnecessary barriers where we can, and keep the focus on classrooms instead of bureaucracy. We should protect resources that directly support instruction and make sure educators know their experience and judgment matter. When teachers feel valued, students benefit.
Families have more choices than ever before. If we want them to choose Sarasota County public schools, we have to earn that trust every day. That starts with excellent teachers, safe schools, strong academics, and a Board that focuses on students instead of politics. We should review every dollar carefully, protect classroom instruction, and look for efficiencies before cutting programs that directly serve students. Strong schools attract families. When we continue delivering excellent outcomes, our enrollment, our reputation, and our A rating will remain strong.
The most significant challenge facing our district is making difficult financial decisions without losing sight of why our schools exist. Declining enrollment and rising costs will require careful choices, but balancing a budget is not the goal. Student success is. I will insist that every budget decision be measured by its impact on students. We should protect classroom instruction, examine administrative spending with the same scrutiny, and make decisions that strengthen learning while maintaining the public's trust. Good stewardship and strong student outcomes go hand in hand.
Sarasota County has outstanding teachers, dedicated staff, and students who achieve at a high level. Families can find strong academics, career and technical education, arts, athletics, and opportunities that prepare students for whatever path they choose after graduation. We have an A-rated school district because people care deeply about our children. My goal is to protect that reputation and make it even stronger.
