Experience
Currently serving my fourth year as a School Board Member; Currently sit on Policy, Finance, & Facility Committees; Over 20 years of executive experience as Vice President & CFO of an asphalt recycling company
Volunteer/Community Service
Director of Youth Volleyball Program; Served as Treasurer for Athletic Boosters & Levy Committee; Sat on Strategic Planning Committee; Co-Founder, Joe Peters Memorial Pig Roast
Public education plays a critical role in building and maintaining a strong, successful community. At its core, the purpose of public education is to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to become capable, responsible, and productive citizens. Our schools are where young people prepare not only for future careers, but also for the responsibilities of adulthood and civic life.
Public education also supports families by providing a structured, safe environment where children can grow and learn. For many families, our local school district is a central part of their daily lives — a place of learning, social development, and community connection.
I’m running for school board because I care deeply about the future of our community — and I believe that future begins in our classrooms. I’ve seen my own four children grow up in this district, and I’ve experienced both the strengths and the challenges in our schools. I’m running to serve, to listen, and to make sure parents have a voice. I believe in high standards, fiscal responsibility, and supporting the people who make our schools work. This is my home, and I want to give back by helping ensure our schools remain places of learning, growth, and opportunity for every student.
One thing the current School Board has done well is working closely with the superintendent to implement new curriculum and strengthen professional development for our teachers. This kind of collaboration is essential to improving classroom instruction and ensuring students are receiving the best possible educational experience.
One thing I would improve is ensuring that timely, accurate, and easy-to-understand information gets into the hands of our parents & community members. Better communication builds trust, encourages greater involvement, and helps parents and residents stay informed about decisions that impact our schools.
A specific reform I support is updating the state funding formula to better reflect the true and rising costs of education, including inflation, technology, and workforce development needs. Many current formulas are outdated and don’t keep pace with these increasing expenses, which limits funding for our local schools. By advocating for a formula that adjusts regularly based on these factors, we can ensure our district receives fair and sufficient state support to provide quality education.
Education
Cardinal HS (Honors), Ashland University (Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice/Sociology)
Experience
15 years in OH School Districts (Geauga County Substitute Teacher, Cardinal Local School (multiple positions), South Euclid-Lyndhurst City Schools (EMIS Coordinator & Data Specialist), 10 years implementing Student Information Systems at K12 schools in the US
Volunteer/Community Service
Rec League Coach (softball), Cardinal Athletic Booster Cheese Booth
The public education's role in our community is building our future community members. Public education is providing academics, social skills, support services, and community opportunities for the students to develop experiences for their next chapter of life (adulthood).
I want to serve on the Cardinal Local School Board to continue the work of past board members to provide an environment where students are learning and thriving. A board member is a liaison to the educators, students, parents, and community at large, and I want to continue to build these relationships to collaborate on the current needs and future challenges of the students and district.
The current Cardinal Local School Board has provided a new education opportunity for the students through ACE Academy (community school). ACE Academy is an experiential learning environment that prepares students for high skill, high wage jobs (ACE Academy mission statement). The one thing I would like to increase is the transparency of the collaboration between all stakeholders.
Public school funding requires a balance between immediate and long-term sustainability. Areas where funding could use some reforming are but not limited to: Early Education, Teacher and Support Staff Salaries, Technology, and Long-term stability funding.
Education
Some College
Experience
10 Years as a Cardinal School Board Member
Volunteer/Community Service
Currently: The Great Geauga County Fair Auxiliary, Middlefield Historical Society. Past: Middlefield Chamber of Commerce, Various Village positions, PTO, Church women's group
The role of public education in our community is to provide every student with an excellent education enabling them to succeed in college, trade school, workforce, military or public service.
I would like to remain on the School Board to build on the progress that has already been made.
When I started on the School Board, it was difficult to make payroll, the facilities were in disrepair, the staff was on a raise freeze and no curriculum existed. Through strong fiscal management such as examining every expense and taking advantage of revenue streams plus right sizing, we are now fiscally sound. We have purchased new curriculum, have Personal Development days to help our teachers understand the best way to teach the new material and our staff receives yearly wage increases. I would like to see more improvement in communication with our parents and community.
When the State funding for Public Schools changes every year, it makes budgeting uncertain. I would like to see the Fair School Funding Plan remain in force.
