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Public Elected Offices Held
None
Incumbent? YES or NO
No
There are concerns with not receiving state funding in the future. I would address by proposing a review of all expenses to see what may be able to be cut and then seeking use of local tax to fill in the gap of lack of state funds as long as the overall tax burden on individual tax payers remains neutral. Another concern that has come up is open enrollment. I would propose different factors that would need to be met to be able to comply with brining people in from outside the district such as having to stay within specific capacity limits.
I want to contribute towards our excellent school system by finding strengths and interests of students and pairing those strengths and interests with jobs in our community, state, and nation. I want to provide educational opportunities that will help the students in our district have jobs where they can successfully pay their bills, provide opportunities for their families, and contribute to their community.
For qualifications, I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and an MBA with 18 years of professional experience; 7 years in the military as an Army officer and 11 years in business. This experience has given me the ability to work on teams to solve problems. I also have four kids in the school district so I have a vested interest in having a strong school system.
I would propose reviewing all expenses to see if any costs need cut and then I would propose making up for budget needs through local taxes as long as the overall tax burden on individuals doesn’t increase.
From being a parent of 4 kids within the district, I feel like there are lots of opportunities to be involved such as academic recognition ceremonies, PTA meetings, opportunities to volunteer like book fairs, field trips, etc. I would recommend parents view the district and individual school portal sites to stay in the loop on activities at their child's school.
I would propose doing a survey to gather data on what families feel like we are lacking. I feel like there are a variety of educational opportunities to serve different sets of needs however I would like to gather input from others in the district to see where we can improve so we can assess the best use of dollars.
Public Elected Offices Held
None
Incumbent? YES or NO
NO
1. Student Safety, Support & Success - Priorities:
• Strong school safety and mental health support
• High academic standards and career pathways (C.I.C.)
• Strong special education services
• Partnerships with families and community
2. Supporting Educators - Priorities:
• Competitive pay and manageable class sizes
• Resources and support staff, including special education
• Collaboration with educators in decision-making
• Support for the Districts Grow Your Own and Student Teacher
hiring/Retention Programs
3. Balanced Use of Technology - Priorities:
• Clear AI and technology guidelines and enforcement
• Training for educators
• Focus on critical thinking and engagement
• Technology should support, not replace learning
4. Funding uncertainties at the county, state and federal levels - Priorities:
• Long-term planning, accountability and transparency
• Focus on classroom impact
• Community and educator input and legislative advocacy for school
funding
Public education of our 15,000 students is essential to the future of our community. My goal is to ensure our schools remain strong, supportive, and prepared to educate ALL students...while attracting and retaining high-quality educators and staff.
Qualifications:
• 30+ years of youth and community leadership in Blue Springs, Church, and Scouting
• Father of two Blue Springs graduates and grandfather of two currently in the district
• Experience with public and private schools in multiple districts nationwide
• Personal family experience in early childhood and special education (wife served 10 years at Liggett Trail Early Childhood Center; granddaughter with developmental disabilities)
• Professional background in management, budgeting, and strategic planning
• Blue Springs leadership: Downtown Implementation Task Force; Chair, Charter Review Commission; Chair, Community Development Block Grant Committee; Parks Commissioner, Member of the Chamber of Commerce and Community Volunteer
First, Prioritize spending around student impact, ensuring resources go directly to classrooms, educators, and essential student services, including special education and mental health support.
Second, Support multi-year forecasting, financial planning and regular program evaluation to identify efficiencies and eliminate low-impact spending with the least impact to students and teachers.
Third, Identify and support partnerships/collaboration with other School Districts, Community Colleges, Businesses and the City.
Fourth, Look for potential programs that could be outsourced while maintaining the most quality control.
Fifth, Advocate at the federal, state and local levels for fair, stable school funding,
Finally, If additional funding is needed through bonds or levies, those decisions should be clearly justified, tied to specific outcomes, and shaped with community input.
Parents and caregivers know their children best. Their involvement whether it’s reinforcing learning at home, supporting attendance, or communicating with teachers has a direct impact on student achievement, behavior, and long-term success.
From the district’s side, we need to make it easy and meaningful for families to stay engaged. That starts with clear, consistent communication about student progress, expectations, and available resources.
Opportunities to strengthen partnerships could include:
• Expand regular two-way communication between teachers and
families
• Provide parent resources and workshops, especially around
curriculum, technology, and student support services
• Increase family involvement in school activities and decision
making utilizing organizations like the PTA.
• Ensure strong collaboration with families of students with
special needs, where partnership is especially critical
• Foster a culture where families feel welcomed, respected, and
heard.
Early childhood education is one of the most important investments we can make. We need all families, especially those with the greatest need, to have access to high-quality programs that prepare children for kindergarten with appropriately staffed, well-trained educators, and class sizes that allow for individualized attention.
1. Ensure we're taking full advantage of current resources like Missouri Quality Pre-K, Child Care Subsidy Program, Child Care Innovation Grants and Federal Preschool Development Grants.
2. Strengthen partnerships with families. Parents are a child’s first teacher, and providing them with resources, guidance, and early screening tools can make a meaningful difference.
3. Expand community partnerships by working with local early childhood centers, healthcare providers, and organizations to identify needs early and connect families to services.
4. Prioritize early childhood in our planning because it reduces costs later and improves long-term success.
Public Elected Offices Held
I have not held a prior public office.
Incumbent? YES or NO
No
The most important issue facing our district is uncertainty around state funding. While final decisions are pending, potential reductions require proactive, thoughtful planning. Blue Springs provides many valuable programs, opportunities, and services, and it is critical to protect those that make our district exceptional.
If elected, I would work collaboratively with fellow board members and the superintendent to prioritize student-centered decisions, trim expenses only where impact is minimal, and explore alternative funding, including grants and responsible local options. Clear communication with families would guide this process so they understand challenges and decisions.
Students must remain at the center of every decision, especially during times of financial uncertainty.
I am running for school board because I am passionate about public education and its impact on students and our community. As a Blue Springs graduate and parent, I have seen firsthand the difference our district can make, and I want to serve in a way that directly supports students and families while helping ensure the district remains strong for current and future families.
I hold a bachelor’s in elementary education, have over 10 years of program management experience, and five years of board leadership with Blue Springs Pop Warner. Over the past year, I have prepared by attending board meetings and work sessions to understand district operations. I am ready to collaborate with fellow board members to make thoughtful, student-centered decisions and communicate clearly with families about the choices that impact them.
If the state budget does not meet increasing needs, I would rely on audits and financial reports to clearly understand the gap and work collaboratively with the superintendent and fellow board members to prioritize spending. My focus would be protecting programs and services that directly impact students while making careful adjustments where the impact on student outcomes is minimal. Transparency and thoughtful planning would guide every step of the process, and I would be committed to clearly communicating decisions and their impact with families and staff.
Families play a vital role in the education of their students. When schools and families work together, students are more successful academically, socially, and emotionally. Parents and caregivers should feel informed, welcomed, and empowered to engage in their child’s education.
Our district provides tools for involvement, from the Parent Square app to publicly accessible and recorded board meetings, but many families are not fully aware of what is available. As a board member, I would prioritize staying connected to the district by attending school events, performances, and activities so I can see firsthand the work students and staff are doing, understand families’ experiences, and ensure decisions are responsive to the community. I would also support clear, accessible, and proactive communication to keep families informed and engaged.
I believe early childhood education is essential because the early years are a critical time for building the social, emotional, and cognitive skills children need to succeed. As a parent in Blue Springs, I’ve seen how access to quality early learning opportunities can set children up for success. I also know that many families are not aware of the programs already available, and that these resources are especially important for children who face greater barriers to accessing early learning.
If elected, my priority would be ensuring that these children and families can access the programs and support they need. I would also work to increase awareness for all families so everyone knows what resources exist and how they can support their child’s growth. Early childhood education isn’t just preparation for school - it’s an investment in students, families, and our community, and making it accessible to those who need it most must be prioritized.
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