Occupation
Consultant
Education
B.S. Electrical Engineering
After years of involvement in our school’s parent teacher group, booster clubs, and levy campaigns, I felt called to serve at a deeper level. I believe it is vital for a school district to stay engaged and forward-thinking about what is best for our students and our community. I want to help ensure that every decision we make keeps students at the center while also strengthening the connection between our schools and the community.
The financial uncertainty that districts face every budget cycle is challenging. I would like to see the state continue exploring ways to make school funding more balanced and sustainable—so that our schools can plan with confidence while our taxpayers are treated fairly.
Our district currently has a policy allowing parents to make decisions for their own child if they have concerns with a particular book in their child’s curriculum. This ensures families have a voice in their child’s education. On a broader level, our libraries must serve students from many different backgrounds and beliefs. If a parent brought me a concern, I would ensure our staff reviewed the material according to district standards. If the book meets those standards, I would trust our educators and support keeping it available for all students.
Dover City Schools is undergoing a comprehensive review of curriculum across grade levels. Last spring, I sat down with our curriculum director to learn more about the process. I was impressed with how thorough and collaborative it was—teachers carefully reviewed and rated programs, compiled input, and made informed decisions about what best fit Dover. Seeing this gave me confidence that our students and staff are getting high-quality curriculum designed for their needs. Last year, the focus was on Language Arts. This year they will work on Social Studies with the same in-depth approach.
As an active PTG and booster club parent since 2009, I’ve seen both the pride our staff takes in maintaining our buildings and the chronic issues that come with aging facilities. While our schools are cared for diligently, some buildings no longer fully meet the needs of our students and community. We are at a crossroads, and it’s time to make a long-term, financially responsible plan for investment in the future of our school facilities.
Occupation
Technology Sales Executive - Modern Office Methods of Ohio
Education
1995 graduate of Dover High School, 1999 B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication; Kent State
I seek re-election for a second, 4 year term on the Board of Education because I’d like to continue the long term planning and evaluation we’ve undertaken since my election in November, 2021.
I come before the voters equipped and well versed on the Ohio Fair School Funding Formula, the actions of the current state legislature to divert funding from the full implementation of the Fair School Funding Formula and give $1.5 Billion of public money to private schools and another $600 million in state funds to pull the Browns out of downtown Cleveland, have gutted the state’s solution to the 30 year old problem of the legislature ignoring the Ohio Supreme Court’s ruling that state funding was unconstitutionally inadequate for Ohio’s students.
The first step is the full implementation of the Fair School Funding Formula FSFF.
Step 2 is the annual or bi-annual updating of the cost inputs used to properly align the FSFF.
Step 3 is reforming Ohio’s property tax assessment and triennial updates. The work group formed by Gov. DeWine is due to provide findings and recommendations on September 30.
I’ve closely monitored almost 50 different property tax reform measures introduced in the general Assembly. By far the most targeted measure was introduced by State Rep. Sean Brennan in the last general assembly as HB 365.
The property tax work group is considering his provision as part of their recommendations and I applaud their work and am hopeful that we see fruitful results.
Libraries exist for the collective good of society and there should be no expectation that all materials be universally agreed upon.
In the Dover district - parents have access to all library materials listed online, and are available for review.
As a board member, who may eventually have to vote on the matter, I ‘d ask the parent to contact their school librarian or principal with their concerns.
Further Involving me - as a board member could potentially jeopardize my ability to vote on the matter should it escalate to board business.
I am familiar with the schedule for reviewing and updating (purchasing new) curriculum but am not an expert on how to decide what educational materials, nor is it an expectation of a school board member to insert themselves in these matters.
The board of education acts upon the recommendation of the superintendent - who is reliant upon curriculum directors, building leaders, teachers and other support staff to choose the materials that would best advance our student success.
I will add that before new curriculum is adopted, the material is made available to members of the public to review and comment on it.
As members of the board of education, I believe we should avoid micromanagement of pedagogy in the classrooms.
Our district spent 15 years between 2001 and 2016 coming to terms with the need for a new high school.
Today - we are working to unlock access to our local share of a state project to renovate/replace the existing k-8 schools.
A Volunteer Community Advisory Council is now working and will ultimately recommend to the board of education, the best, most prudent master plan for our district.
My children, 4th generation Dover Ave. students - are an emotional tie to the building - yet I saw them thrive in a new high school, allowing me to separate my nostalgia for the building from the functional need to replace it.
First constructed in 1913, and operating 112 years later, Dover Ave. remains the only building with no off street parking.
