1. The current board has lost the trust and confidence of part of our community. A house divided cannot stand and I will make every effort, listen to each viewpoint, and do my very best to restore trust so that we can be a healthy and functioning board focused on our children’s education and future.
2. As board member I will focus on complete transparency in all matters, especially in fiduciary matters, this is not my money but yours. I will review audit progress and insist on regular public updates until confidence is restored.
3. While I am a republican and a fiscal conservative, the school board is by nature non-partisan and our politics need to stay out of critical decisions we make with the only consideration being the question, “what is best for our children.”
4. Parents want what’s best for their children. We need to listen to the concerns of our parents, all of them, no matter how much time it adds to a board meeting. We need to listen to everyone with respect and dignity.
5. The School Board is by nature a policy level and fiduciary oversight board. We will not dictate to teachers, but instead work with them, listening and valuing their years of experience and expertise.
6. I am concerned about mental health in our community, to include that of our students. We have great programs and organizations in our community that can help. Suicides, domestic violence and drug use are significantly up in our communities. Schools have mandatory reporting and we need to ensure we are looking out for the welfare of our students when things just don’t “feel right”. We need to welcome help without stigma.
7. As a board member I will help to create an open and welcoming environment at all school board meetings. One that is respectful, listens to all viewpoints and is transparent. I will work to minimize executive sessions.
8. I have reviewed the statutory role of boards of education in Colorado. They do not include culture wars: To that end we will focus on the following from statute and best practices:
-Governing and managing public school districts: School boards are tasked with the overall supervision and management of public schools in Colorado. I will focus on good governance.
-Creating and enforcing policies: I will work with the other board members to review current policies to ensure we are listening to all viewpoints and making educated decisions based on what works and not personal opinion.
-Ensuring educational quality: School boards are responsible for the evaluation of the district superintendent and the overall student performance, graduation rates and performance of historically underserved students. I will ask for an unbiased and unvarnished report and cast a wide net to determine what has worked and what we may be missing.
-Engaging with stakeholders: They connect with stakeholders to develop policies, establish district priorities, and monitor progress in achieving community-defined outcomes. While my number one priority is the education of our children, our number one stakeholder is their parents, not special interest groups.
–Providing support and resources: I will pay particular attention to funding streams and changing realities to determine how best to fund our priorities. I will stay transparent to those we serve and support – Students, Parents,
Teachers, Staff and Constituents of the Woodland Park RE-2 School District.