As a representative of our community on the school board, my priorities will be to:
FAIRLY FUND OUR SCHOOLS
There’s no secret to what makes schools great: the government has to be willing to invest the resources we the taxpayers give them. Right now, however, our neighboring counties have higher graduation rates and are actively pursuing measures to increase staff pay — which will help them get even better educational outcomes. Tallahassee wants to give excuses, not money, whenever staff retention or lack of resources is brought up in conversation.
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If we want our kids to be competitive in the world, we need to make sure we are offering teachers competitive pay, and letting them focus on teaching. Staffing problems are forcing teachers to do the work of paraeducators and lunchroom staff — which does nothing to improve the experience of the children of Polk County. On the board, I will work to make sure we are spending your dollars where it will make the most difference in learning.
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The children of Polk County deserve every bit as good an education as our neighbors, and we can make it happen by fairly funding our schools.​
MAKE THE BOARD ACCESSIBLE
If you’ve never been to a board meeting or work session, that’s on purpose: the current board holds meetings at times and places that are inconvenient to most working citizens, so we the people — who fund the district — don’t get the chance to see what’s actually happening or speak up for our children. Board members are public servants and, as such, should be more accessible and available to their constituents. As a board member, I will regularly visit with people all over the county to listen to their concerns and gain an understanding of the issues that are most important to them. My contact information will be public, so that my constituents can reach me directly so that I can hear and address their concerns in a timely manner.
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I will fight for transparency and accountability at every meeting, and shine a light on the big issues being discussed. Because the quality of our schools affects everything from home values to the future strength of our businesses, we all have a stake in knowing what is going on and how our money is being spent. Polk County citizens deserve to feel confident that, if they address the board, their concerns will be taken seriously and that their board members will truly represent them.​
MAKE SCHOOLS MORE INCLUSIVE AND ACCEPTING
It’s no secret that students and staff who are members of minority groups and the LGBTQ+ community face daily challenges. Everyone deserves to feel valued, cared for, accepted, and included, regardless of their race, gender identity, culture, orientation, ethnicity, or nationality. As a board member, I will work to bring back proclamations, which are crucial to making students and staff feel recognized and respected, and develop anti-bullying policies that address not only the behavior, but work to actively change the root cause. I will push for more mental health professionals so that students and staff can have the help they need to navigate through their stresses and emotions.
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It is wonderful to live in a society that is evolving and becoming more accepting of people who were once marginalized and perceived as “different”. Together, we can help our school system continue to progress to a point where we are the example that other counties seek to follow.
SET STAFF, STUDENTS, AND FAMILIES UP FOR SUCCESS
Often, families who have a child with special needs have to wait far too long and jump through too many bureaucratic hoops to get the necessary resources. Tallahassee politicians keep restricting the materials available to our teachers and the manners in which they are allowed to teach. Many students are unable to get into schools in their neighborhoods, while students from around the county are brought in to fill those seats.
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It doesn’t have to be like that. On the school board, I will be your voice for smart spending, so that our school budgets work for our students and their families, not Tallahassee politicians. Students deserve to be able to go to school in their own neighborhoods so that their families can be more involved with their education, and have the necessary resources to meet their needs, staff deserve to have professional development training tailored to their specific career field, and teachers deserve to be trusted to choose the best materials and teaching methods to reach their students, and students
