VOTE411 Voter Guide

I am a retired educator with 22 years of experience as an elementary school office manager. My background includes extensive knowledge of both the administrative and operational aspects of education. Additionally, I spent 12 years serving on the classified union bargaining team, which has given me a deep understanding of the bargaining process. I believe this experience would be incredibly valuable in the role of a school board member, allowing me to contribute meaningfully to decision-making and advocacy efforts.

School districts are responsible for ensuring compliance with a broad range of federal and state education policies that promote accessibility, accountability, provide appropriate educational opportunities, and ensure the safety of students and staff. These obligations require districts to create environments that meet legal standards while also meeting the diverse needs of our students.

The first priority should be to amplify the voices of staff, students, and the community in order to understand and identify the most pressing needs within the district schools. Once we gather this input, we can assess what can be addressed locally with the resources we have and determine what requires advocacy at the state level for additional support or funding. Personally, I view student and staff safety as a critical issue. However, as a school board member, it is more important for me to listen to others' perspectives on what they consider the most urgent needs and then collaborate to find solutions.

I have taught for 38 years and worked under a variety of principals, boards, and superintendents. My experience with curriculum and instruction helps me understand the experience of the classroom teacher. I have worked with IEP's and other special education plans, mentored other staff members, led subject area groups, scored writing in the state-wide assessment, and directed drama productions. At the district level, I worked on curriculum committees and taught workshops about the Common Core. My knowledge of schools is deep and wide.

Federal and State policies provide the framework within which instruction takes place. They prescribe a standard for evaluating proficiency. The District must comply with the framework and accept the task of working toward the standards. That said, it will not be possible to bring every student up to the standard. Some policies may describe the sort of help a student will receive or be entitled to. For example, a student may require a full-time aide. The district must comply with that.

The Board and District level administrators are facing the distrust of much of the community, the school district staff, and the parents of students. There are many reasons for this, the most obvious of which is the three-week strike the District endured during the late fall of 2024. The District needs to be much more transparent in its operations and very careful about how it treats everybody it interacts with. Communication and accessibility are going to be key.

I currently serve on the GAPS budget committee. Effectively serving requires a combination of leadership, collaboration, and community awareness. I bring strong communication skills as they are essential. I bring a willingness to listen to parents, students, and staff, and clearly explain decisions. My critical thinking and data literacy help me evaluate policies, budgets, and student outcomes. I work well in a team, respecting diverse perspectives while staying focused on student success. My integrity, transparency, and a commitment to public service will be key to building trust. I will stay grounded in the needs of our community while keeping long-term educational goals in sight.

The school board should be committed to following all federal and state education policies with integrity, transparency, and student-centered focus. It needs to stay up to date on changing laws by working closely with legal experts and state education leaders, and partnering with district staff to ensure policies are implemented effectively in our schools. Every decision should be guided by what’s best for students, grounded in facts, and aligned with the law. The board should review progress to make sure it is staying on track and being accountable to the community. Even in times of change or disagreement, the board needs to remain focused on its core mission: providing safe, strong, and inclusive schools for all students.

My goal would be to raise Oregon's national test scores by setting high academic standards, supporting strong curriculum, and investing in teacher development. I would use data to identify and support struggling students to ensure timely intervention. By promoting attendance, equitable resources, and positive school climates, we can drive achievement! Furthermore, engaging families and communities will help strengthen student success. By keeping student learning at the center of every decision, we can make a meaningful impact on academic outcomes.