campaign phone number
3173410157
My varied academic and professional experiences have provided me with a broad and deep base of knowledge on diverse topics; the ability to quickly adapt to new work environments, and the interpersonal skills necessary to be a team player and form effective relationships within all hierarchical or social structures in an organization.
Academic experiences include: D.V.M from Michigan State University, J.D. from The University of Chicago, M.A. in Teaching from Marian University
Professional experiences include: Air Force Public Health Officer, Corporate and State Agency Attorney, Administrator in the City of Indianapolis Dept. of Public Safety, Secondary Science Teacher,
Asst. Director at the IN Dept. of Education, and HS Administrator.
Even though I am technically "retired," I still want to be of service to my Greenville community, and I am passionate about public education and the welfare of all children, especially the the most vulnerable and underserved. I believe that a fresh/new perspective on the Board is overdue in Area 22, and I have the knowledge, skills, energy, and work ethic to be of value to the Board and the greater GCS community.
Public school funding is the most significant challenge facing GCS and school systems across the nation. Trying to balance the needs of a highly diverse and large student population spread out over an entire county, while facing funding streams that are dependent on the good will and attention of sometimes indifferent or even hostile federal, state, and local governments, is complicated in ways that most taxpayers either cannot or do not want to try and understand. The introduction of vouchers and other "parental choice" vehicles only exacerbates this problem and creates a divisive competition for finite resources.
I would support any initiative or policy that guaranteed a high-quality program of study for would-be educators. Our teachers should be as well-educated as those in the top-performing countries in the world. Many teachers leave the profession because they are placed in school environments where they lack the necessary academic and professional skills to become confident and successful in the classroom. Our students can only be expected to perform to the level at which they are taught. "Teaching" encompasses more than just what occurs in the classroom, which is why students who lack strong parental and/or community involvement in their education will struggle the most, and no teacher can fully make up for this lack.
I have decades of distinct experience in education and law enforcement. I have dedicated my life to ensuring those students are supported, challenged, and have every opportunity to excel in their studies and in their lives. As a School Board Trustee for District 22, I have participated in policy development, budget decisions, the Superintendent’s evaluations, strategic planning, and discussions involving student
achievement, school safety, staffing, facilities, and community needs. Our Board takes these responsibilities very seriously, and I’m extremely proud to be a part of such an incredible team.
I am running because I believe every child in Greenville County deserves the opportunity to receive an excellent education, regardless of their zip code, background, or circumstances. Having served on the Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees, I understand both the tremendous responsibility and the meaningful impact of this work. We need experienced leadership that will listen, ask difficult questions, make thoughtful decisions, and keep students at the center of every discussion. I want to be a strong, independent voice for students, parents, teachers, and our entire community.
The most important issue is ensuring that Greenville County Schools can maintain excellence while managing unprecedented growth. Growth affects everything including classroom capacity, transportation, staffing, school construction, student services, and the District’s ability to provide individualized support. We cannot look at growth simply as a construction issue; we must consider its impact on students, teachers, families, and taxpayers. Our Board must plan ahead rather than react to growth after the fact. That means responsible capital planning, competitive compensation, thoughtful use of resources, and continued accountability for results.
Competitive compensation is essential because great schools depend on great educators. GCS Board has made a commitment to salaries, increasing them for all employees and especially for those positions at the lower end of salaries -- including with this year's budget -- in order to address the issue of a living wage. Greenville County has one of the top salaries for starting teachers in this state. We must do everything we can to pay our teachers what they deserve and do everything we can to reduce class size and listen to teachers' needs. Teachers make a difference in our children's lives!
