VOTE411 Voter Guide

I believe textbooks and library books should be chosen with our children’s education and wellbeing at the center of the process. The materials should be age‑appropriate, accurate, and meaningful, helping students build both knowledge and character.

I think it’s important that teachers, librarians, and parents all have a voice in selecting what’s available to students. Books should reflect a variety of experiences and perspectives, while still aligning with the values and learning goals of our community.

Above all, the goal should be to encourage curiosity and critical thinking—giving our kids access to materials that challenge them, inspire them, and help them grow into informed, compassionate adults.

I believe the best way to attract and keep great teachers is to make them feel supported, respected, and appreciated. Our teachers give so much of themselves to help our children succeed, and they deserve strong leadership, fair pay, and a positive work environment in return.

We should focus on building partnerships with local colleges and universities to bring in new, enthusiastic educators, while also supporting the teachers we already have with mentorship, classroom resources, and recognition for their hard work.

When teachers feel valued and have what they need to do their jobs well, it shows—in student success, school spirit, and community pride. Happy, supported teachers help create happy, successful students.

If elected, my priorities will center on students, teachers, and families. I want every decision made by the board to reflect what’s best for our children and their learning environments.

My main goals will be to:

1. Support teachers by ensuring they have the resources and respect they need to help students succeed. 2. Promote transparency and communication between the board, schools, and parents so families feel informed and included. 3. Focus on student success and safety, creating classrooms where every child feels valued and prepared for the future. 4. Manage resources responsibly, making sure funding directly benefits students and teachers. As a parent and community member, I’ll work to strengthen trust, encourage collaboration, and keep our schools focused on what truly matters—helping every student reach their full potential.

Textbooks and school library books should be selected based on their educational value, age appropriateness, and alignment with curriculum standards. Currently there is a process in place that includes review committees and opportunities for parent input and I believe that a collaborative approach is important. The board should ensure that our libraries are well-funded and students have what they need.

JUST LET THEM TEACH. As one educator put it, "I am dying from a thousand paper cuts." It's always something- the newest programs, the latest fad, the newest technology. As soon as teachers become familiar with a program or initiative, it's on to the latest, greatest thing. We can have "pipelines" w/ local colleges, but if students aren't pursuing a career in education, there's nothing coming down the pipeline. Recruitment challenges remain across the state. Lexington 1 should continue building a strong "Grow Your Own" teacher pipeline by encouraging students, teaching assistants, & career changers to enter the education profession & stay in our community. "They don't know how much you know, until they know how much you care." We must show teachers & staff they are valued ie talking directly to them as a board, teacher advisory committees, duty-free lunch, reliable subs & competitive pay.

I will always ask, “What is most helpful for students?” While there are many good things happening in Lexington One, there is still work to do. As PTA President, I spend a great deal of time at my children’s school, & I have attended board meetings consistently for the past 5 years. I understand the issues facing our schools & community. I support providing meals at no cost through the federal meal program, improving two-way communication between the board and the community, and ensuring emails & calls receive responses. I want regular reviews of vacancies and turnover, including teacher coverage, bus driver double routes, and competitive pay for substitutes and support staff. I support advisory committees for students, teachers, and support staff that report directly to the board and ensuring that schools like White Knoll, Pelion & Gilbert have equal access to a high-quality education.

When it comes to selecting textbooks, I trust the professionals we have placed in those roles to know what is best for our students. They have the training and experience to make informed decisions about instructional materials. That said, parental feedback is valuable and should always be acknowledged and heard. The same principle applies to school library books. I believe in allowing our library professionals to select books that are healthy and age-appropriate for their students, while remaining open and responsive to input from parents and the community.

Building off the recent salary increases for teachers and assistants, I would like to see that effort expand to include our support staff, transportation, and maintenance teams. Every person who serves this district deserves to feel valued. However, raising wages alone does not solve the recurring issues that lead teachers and staff to leave in the first place. My approach would be to evaluate and ask the hard questions. Why are people leaving, what are the underlying issues, and what can we do to address them? Retention is not just about compensation, it is about creating an environment where every employee feels supported, heard, and proud to be part of Lexington One.

My top priorities are fiscal accountability, employee retention, classroom resources, and managing rapid growth. I will ask hard questions to ensure every tax dollar works for our students. Every employee deserves to feel valued, supported, and heard. Our teachers should not have to worry about having the right tools in their classrooms. I will work to ensure growth is managed in a way that maintains quality education across all schools and that rural communities are not left behind. I will always keep our students first.