Priorities

Working in schools I have witnessed and felt the direct impact of the decisions made by our board and district leaders. There needs to be greater accountability, transparency and partnership with schools and community. We need change. 

I will be a voice for:

Transparency in decision making and spending

  • We need outside auditing and interpretation of results. We need school and community teams to support district level budgeting and fiscal decision making. 

  • School staff and community members should be included in the staffing of district leaders. 

  • The board should have increased oversight of spending.

  • Let’s be honest about school closures and start planning based on communities, enrollment, basic needs, etc.

Community Relationships and Alignment

  • We must name the lack of trust between communities and our district. 

  • Let’s be intentional and proactive about restoring that trust by meeting with communities and including their voices in decision making. 

  • Community schools must be aligned in services. If a student attends a neighborhood elementary school, they should have access to the same level of support and resources at the neighborhood secondary schools. Schools and school leaders should have greater access to collaborating, planning and district decisions to ensure alignment. 

  • We must include childcare, transportation, special education and accelerated learning, mental health, and basic needs in community level discussions.

School Safety

  • Buildings need updates. We need clear, transparent, and timely actions plans to address unsafe schools. 

  • Emergency events must be met with care. The district missed the fact that the victims of school violence have siblings, family, friends, mentors, etc. at schools across the city, especially down the street. We must show up for all families. And if one family feels we didn’t do enough, we missed an opportunity to step in and support that voice. 

  • There needs to be clearer understanding of what happens when a student requires a safety plan and transitions between schools. We need clear safety support systems for our most vulnerable students. 

  • Students supports must be available to ALL district students.