VOTE411 Voter Guide

I’m running because I believe strong public schools require engaged parents, responsible leadership and thoughtful decision-making. As the parent of a student with autism who has experienced both private and public education, I’ve seen how differently children learn and how important it is that every student has the opportunity to succeed. Lake Wylie has grown and continues to grow rapidly, and the decisions we make now will shape our schools for years. I want to bring a parent’s perspective, careful oversight and an independent voice to those decisions.

My priorities are investing in excellent teachers, meeting the individual needs of students, and expanding opportunities for the kids in the middle. I believe public education is an investment in our community, and I want resources directed toward teachers, classrooms and programs that benefit students. We have built pathways for the edges, but we cannot forget the enormous group of students in between. School should be a place where every child has a chance to discover something they’re good at, participate, belong and succeed.

I bring both professional experience and the perspective of a parent who has seen education from several sides. I have more than 16 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, public affairs, communications and board governance, and I’ve lived in the Clover School District since 2009. I’m the mother of a student with autism who has attended both private and public schools, and I’m also a local writer who has spent years listening to and telling the stories of this community. I’m independent-minded, curious and willing to listen. I don’t believe there is one kind of successful student, and I would bring that perspective to every decision I make.

I’m running for re-election to help finish the work that the previous board and I started. Our district looks completely different today than it did four years ago when I was elected. We’ve worked through a significant transition, made important progress, and there is still more work to be done.

I don’t believe my personal agenda should outweigh the collective priorities and expertise of our district leaders, community, educators, and other stakeholders. Three priorities I believe should be considered are hiring the next superintendent by engaging stakeholders and thoroughly vetting qualified candidates; adopting a new strategic plan that incorporates meaningful input, establishes clear and measurable goals, and creates action plans to achieve and exceed those goals; and making safety a top priority by setting an ambitious goal of becoming one of the safest school districts in the state. We should use a Plan–Do–Check–Act approach to continuously evaluate our efforts, identify opportunities for improvement, and remain proactive

I am a man of high character and integrity who genuinely loves our school district and community. I have a long history of serving our community, both before and during my four years on the school board. I believe every child in our district deserves a safe, thriving environment in which to learn and grow, and that our dedicated staff deserves to be compensated competitively for the important work they do.