Why are you running for WCSD Trustee? What is your vision of success for this role? 

Our students deserve better. As a career educator, I see all the areas where policy makers fail our students, parents, teachers and administrators. These issues can be improved or outright resolved but we need leaders with a desire to do the work and put our students and their futures first. Success is: increased parent involvement, increased academic proficiency, decline in absenteeism, safer schools, higher rates of successful teacher recruitment and retention.

How do you define student success? What experience do you have and what role do you intend to play in advocating for student success?

A successful student is someone who has maximized their individual potential and upon leaving our school system, is armed with the skills and confidence to be successful in whatever endeavor they choose. As a career educator and coach, I have spent two decades helping to develop youth in the classroom, on the court and on the field. How I advocate for students is by always asking myself: “Is this the best to decision to help students learn, develop and be successful?”

On the 2022 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), fourth-grade students, in Nevada, scored 6 points lower in math and 7 points lower in reading when compared to 2019. If elected, how can you use your position to ensure Nevada stops following this national trend and starts leading the way for student outcomes?

We need to spend focused time on fundamentals: reading, writing, math and critical thinking. Everything else can be built on top of a strong foundation of those skills. We also need qualified teachers to instill those fundamental skills early and reinforce them constantly. How do we recruit more teachers? Smaller class sizes, improved in-class support, increased salary, less administrative work, safer schools, more parent participation and a host of other ways. Finally, we need students in school, ready to learn on a consistent basis. They cannot learn if they are not in a school. We need to use every tool available to ensure students are in school and engaged.

What, if any, barriers currently exist to educational excellence and equity for every student? If elected to the Board of Trustees, how will you help eliminate these barriers?

The main barrier I see is that the actual educational needs of students, support needs of teachers and administrators and parent input are the last considerations in the decision making process. We should make the best decision for stakeholders and that will always be my chief concern.

What do you believe are the top three most persistent challenges facing the WCSD Board of Trustees? What is an example of a bold approach you would propose to address one of those challenges?

1. Teacher recruitment and retention
2. School Safety
3. Chronic Absenteeism

School safety affects every aspect of the school environment. Administrative codes needs to be adjusted to allow for earlier and more effective intervention by the district and require extensive parent involvement.

Research suggests that more than 50% of a board meeting should be focused on student outcomes. How would you ensure the board allocates this amount of time to student outcomes?

I would need to evaluate the actual data to which you are referring to understand exactly what the research suggests. Assuming the data is true, I would ensure the board allocates the appropriate time by tracking the actual time spent during meetings dedicated to student outcomes. I would present this data at each subsequent meeting and add items to the agenda, as allowable, to ensure that the 50% threshold is met. Whatever is necessary to offer our students the best chance at success is what the board should be doing.

If elected to the Board, how would you approach challenging conversations and/or criticisms that might arise from fellow Board members, stakeholders, and the broader community?

I am always open to discussion. In the end, however, I am concerned with implementing the best ideas that positively impact stakeholders. Doing what works and making decisions based on data that achieve long term sustainable results is how you build trust and earn the respect of stakeholders.

What key indicators would you use to assess the performance of WCSD’s Superintendent? How would you hold the Superintendent accountable?

Their track record of achieving positive results in previous positions and how that aligns with the needs of our stakeholders would be a key factor. Their understanding of the specific challenges facing our district along with their overall educational philosophy. Rigorous, thorough and frequent evaluations and reviews are how I would hold a superintendent accountable.

In a recent survey, 77% of Nevada residents agreed that parents should be able to send their children to the public school they feel is best for their child, even if it is outside of their neighborhood. Do you agree? Please explain your reasoning.

I would have to see the survey to understand the exact parameters of the question so I cannot say whether or not I agree with the survey specifically. If our goal is offer the most suitable education for each student and empower parents to be part of the process, this is makes sense. Parents rights need to be respected and parent participation strongly encouraged. Whatever gets the best long term, sustainable, data supported results for stakeholders is what should be done.

The following question was submitted by a current public high school student: How will you ensure students are put at the forefront of the decision making process as a member of the Board of Trustees, and what accountability measures would you put in place to make sure this happens? 

The first question I ask is “Is this the best to decision to help students learn, develop and be successful?” If you start there and build out using data and results as your guide then you will always put students first. Students should have a voice in the process and be encouraged to share their concerns through committees and student representatives.