CUSD 200’s mission statement is to inspire, educate, challenge, and support all students to reach their highest levels of learning and personal development. That is also my priority as a board member. I want to see that all students in the district are well-equipped to succeed and I will continue to support initiatives to meet this goal. This means prioritizing recruiting and retaining high-quality teaching staff; making necessary academic supports possible (such as the recent addition of math coaches at the elementary and middle school levels); ensuring our special education programs have the aides and staff needed; and continuing to invest in high-quality curriculum and resources for core subjects – particularly for our youngest learners so they spend their academic career ready to excel instead of playing “catch up.”

The Board of Education’s role is to provide oversight and accountability. This is done by ensuring appropriate checks and balances are in place and the most knowledgeable stakeholders are involved in the decision-making process. While providing this oversight and accountability, I will ensure our district’s education is driven by our trained and professional educators – and not politics. Political interests have zero place in our educational system. As a mom, I am driven by what is best for the kids in our district, and nothing else.

Smart fiscal planning is important to the long-term success of the district. As a board member, I support efforts to be wise stewards of the hard-earned taxpayer funds entrusted to us. The district operates on a lean basis, spending less than the state average per pupil and achieving greater results in return. The district has been designated by the State Board of Education with its highest rating of the “Financial Recognition” designation (for the 6th year in a row), and recently we passed our 13th consecutive balanced budget. While maintaining this strong fiscal position, some of our district’s facilities are in need of critical upgrades. Neglecting this responsibility harms taxpayers’ property values and will only create greater expenses in the future. When evaluating financial decisions in the district, I will prioritize the strong fiscal health of our district and recognize when investments now translate into efficiencies moving forward.