My core belief:  Every student in our district must be provided the educational tools and school environment that enable them to reach their fullest potential, and to successfully compete in an increasingly global society.

Advocacy

The School Board is the governance and oversight body accountable to ensure that ISD 623 is the best possible school district for all of our students and their parents and families, our staff, and our district residents.  We also gain through working with community groups and business and civic leaders to create opportunities to keep our schools strong.  I believe in inclusivity for all stakeholders.  I hope I have gained your confidence as an advocate for our schools over my first two terms!

Leadership

As a Board Director, and in my two “pandemic years” as Board Chair, I have been committed to making the right decisions for the students in our district. Our Board must act – often when information is incomplete, or when faced with deciding among options with uncertain outcomes. We must do so knowing our decisions may not be welcome by all, but encouraged by knowing that our sole and guiding principle is to do what is best and right for our students, families, staff and community.

Innovation

I pledge to keep working to address the priorities of today and tomorrow:

• Strengthening our status as a “destination” District for families, teachers and staff — there is no greater factor in the success of a community than the quality of its schools — having quality schools are why families choose to move to, or stay in, a city or town.  You deserve a strong, capable School Board, advocating for you and your children.
• Support teachers with the tools and time needed to reach and teach kids as individuals, despite a system that emphasizes standardized tests and common core approaches. Engaging with kids to develop strong relationships and societal skills correlates with academic success.
• Maintain strong stewardship of our capital resources as we move ahead with our facilities renovations and strategic plan – ensure highest value for every dollar spent. We also must promote legislative initiatives that use dollars wisely in the classroom, and that foster parent/family engagement.
• Keep our focus on “Equity in All We Do” in our increasingly diverse district – engage all communities and families in working together to eliminate disparate outcomes.

Experience

For the past eight years, I have striven to serve my two terms as a Board Member faithfully, energetically, responsibly, bringing all my experience and skills to the table, and helping to lead our District as it has dealt with both the day-to-day “little” things, and the bigger issues such as enabling all students to reach their full potential.  I am extremely grateful to our community for approving our capital levy for ongoing facilities improvement projects, and our operating levy to improve our work in the classroom.  Over my eight years on the Board, I have taken advantage of numerous training sessions offiered by the Minnesota School Board Association, geared toward deepening Board member understanding of the complex issues involved in school governance and fiscal oversight.  I have served as Board Clerk, and more recently as Board Chair during the difficult pandemic years.

Before being elected to my first term, for more than ten years, I was deeply involved in the Site Council at our own childrens’s schools, and served as a parent adviser on many task forces and projects – grade level changes, curriculum design, searches, and more. It was this that sparked my interest in first serving on the School Board.

I have also testified at the Minnesota Legislature regarding the voluntary schools integration model and funding, and was active in the successful effort to enable Harambee School to come into ISD 623.  I worked with key legislators, lobbyists, and educators involved in school funding and integration issues, and learned first-hand how to work through the protracted process of moving bills through the Statehouse.  A key “take away” is that just because something is a good idea doesn’t mean it will automatically get support of our legislature — it requires time and energy to “work it” through the process.

In my work life, I am a Director of Corporate Development for Mayo Clinic.  Prior to that I led growth and business development for HealthPartners/ParkNicollet, following more than a decade doing planning and management consulting for hospitals and health systems across the country and internationally.

Education:  I have an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.  I majored in Management, Finance and Marketing, with a concentration in international business.

I have tried to bring my experience, skills and leadership to the Board in working with different constituencies to reach the right decisions, and when necessary, I have not shied away from having to weigh priorities and make difficult choices.  I welcome thoughtful, respectful debate, making sure we keep our mission always in front of us.

Vote November 7, or get a step ahead by Early Voting beginning September 22

Your voice counts and your chance to have a say in your schools will be on election day, Tuesday, November 7 — or you may also vote early this year beginning on Friday, September 22.  I would be honored to have earned your vote to continue serving as your representative on the ISD 623 Roseville Area School Board.