We need leaders to guide our district and assist in creating the best future for every student. We need visionaries who have a broad perspective and who help to prepare young people to reach their full potential. I believe we do that through sound fiscal policies, strong foundational academics, and building relationships by listening to our community to provide extra support for our students. I hope to bring those qualities to the board. I am passionate about helping others and I believe I can bring a new perspective to a town that I love and respect. Our experiences with other school communities have provided insight into how different school systems function and deal with important issues such as equitable education, diversity, & safety.
1. Advocate for competitive wages & hiring processes to attract & retain the best educators. Currently, we have some of the lowest academic achievement rates in reading & math compared to other districts. 2. Improve accountability for staff & students to help improve safety measures. 3. Increase community engagement. Large class sizes, shrinking budgets & declining enrollment create complex challenges to deliver quality education. We need good teachers & the support of parents & the community.
When addressing the critical discussion of budget cuts, the best way to make informed decisions is to do the research and analyze the data. Ultimately, whatever is best for the majority of the kids should heavily influence the decision-making process.
The RW school district provides limited early public education options. I believe that expanding access to free early education for more children would help bridge these disparities in our system and better prepare these students for school. Additionally, our district must continue to provide training and education on diversity to create a positive culture for students to learn and grow.
I plan to continue volunteering in the community and schools. Teachers, families, and caregivers are all crucial to a child's educational success. Their feedback is invaluable because they spend the most time with the children. Good communication with everyone is essential for creating a positive learning environment where students and staff can thrive.
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I think I would be a great candidate because I care! I have children in this district and I care about their education and their social/emotional being attending school here as well as all other kids. Caring is the one thing you have to do when taking a position like this. Yes this can be a form of politics but I believe to be a good board member you have to genuinely care and look at things from all angles. I'm unbiased. I would never make a decision based off what organization I'm linked to because that would be a conflict of interest. I like to think of myself as the person who gives the voiceless a voice.
1. The Inclusive education plan.
2. Making sure we have administrators and staff that makes sure students are treated equally.
3. Making sure the district is following all policies and procedures. I would love to focus on a policy for bullying. It is so alarming in this district.
I wouldn't say strategy but I would look at how important it is, would there be a way to bring it back when revenue looks better. Also, weighing the pros and cons of how this particular cut would hurt or benefit the district.
This is definitely an issue. It's one of the reasons why this election is so important to me.
1. Equalize resources for students on all levels.
2. Reexamine the curriculum by adding more diversity.
3. Acknowledge that there are inequitable barriers.
4. Involve parents and the community.
5. Implement ways to help improve some of these disparities. As a whole we shouldn't judge students based off of race and family income.
I'm a community person. So I often talk to different people. I'm always listening and giving ideas.I'm a sports mom to so I encounter a lot of people. Also, I use to sub in the district so I know quite a bit of staff and parents just from that alone. I think the parent surveys I saw go out back in 2022 were a good idea. It gives good feedback rather good or bad. I would welcome all to be apart of meetings where they can be heard.
I am a college graduate who understands the value of a good education. I have four school-aged children and have a vested interest in ensuring our school systems provide a high quality, challenging curriculum. I’ve seen firsthand the ability of this community to come together. We need to be accountable as parents, teachers, school administrators and as a community to improve our schools. As an engineer, I possess excellent critical thinking skills and can collaborate with a diverse group to resolve issues. I maintain a calm and collective personality providing me the ability to understand an issue for what its worth without getting emotionally or personally attached. I feel these are critical attributes for a school board member.
Priority 1 is school safety. We need a school where it is safe for both the students and the staff to be able to navigate the schools. Priority 2 is absenteeism. School attendance is a confirmed critical characteristic for successful learning. RW students are attending schools below the state average. Priority 3 is curriculum. Along with SPED classes, we also need to be reaching our top tier students by teaching advanced classes at all levels.
I would identify where RW spends its money compared to other school districts as well as state averages. For instance since 2017, RW transportation costs have increased 40% and are 25% above the state average. We need to understand why there is a delta and look to make adjustments as needed. Similarly, RW spends 70% more than the state average on Career and Technical Instruction. This may not be bad, but understanding where the money is being spent is the first step in justifying a budget.
It is imperative to understand if the disparities are singular or systematic. Singular instances should be resolved with existing school resources. Systematic issues require reviewing existing school policies to identify if we are a) not following our policies or b) what changes are needed to existing policies to address these concerns. For instance, chronic absenteeism is more prevalent in lower income households. One proven method are at-home visits to emphasize the importance of attendance.
Outside of the Parent Advisory Committee, utilizing tools like Survey Monkey would be an effective way of connecting with teachers and families. In most cases, teachers have parents’ email addresses. Teachers could forward the surveys allowing the parents to answer anonymously on even the most contentious of issues. Survey Monkey could also be used to receive anonymous feedback from teachers. If there is a consensus on the concerns, meetings could be held for discussion.
I am committed to the well-being and success of our students, along with my focus on addressing critical issues like mental health support. Ensuring that every student has access to the resources they need, particularly mental health services, is my number one priority. I understand how foundational mental health is to academic success & personal growth. My professional experience in community engagement & problem-solving equips me with the skills needed to navigate complex challenges. I’m dedicated to promoting equity & ensuring that all students, regardless of their background or circumstances, have the opportunity to succeed.
1: Expanding Mental Health Support for Students to ensure that students have access to comprehensive mental health support within our schools. This is foundational to student well-being & academic success. 2: Enhancing Student Achievement. Every student should have the opportunity to succeed academically, regardless of their background or circumstances. 3: Strengthening Community Engagement. By listening to teachers, parents, students & maintaining transparency we can make informed decisions.
Prioritizing Mental Health Services are essential for students' emotional health & academic success. I would strive to preserve counselors, social workers & mental health programs as much as possible. Engage the Community in Decision-Making. By seeking feedback from those most affected, we can make more informed, collaborative decisions. Analyze & Streamline Administrative Costs. Reviewing the district's administrative & operational costs without compromising instruction or essential services.
Acknowledge the Disparities & Commit to Equity- Every student, regardless of their race or economic background, deserves an equal opportunity to succeed. Mental health issues often go hand-in-hand with economic stress, so ensuring students have access to counselors & social workers is essential for both their emotional well-being & academic success. Engaging with community & leaders from diverse backgrounds, we can develop solutions that reflect their needs & experiences.
It is important to emphasize communication, transparency & collaboration. This would create a space for direct dialogue & ensure that their perspectives are part of the decision-making process. It's important that all families, especially those from underserved communities, feel heard and included. Commit to Transparency in Decision-Making- Transparency is key to building trust.
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Member turnover this year is going to lead to a lack of experience on our school board. Due to having served for four years, I can bring an understanding of our history and goals moving forward. I have experience working with multiple board members who have come together to improve the educational experiences for Red Wing students - even through Covid, four Superintendents, and budget cuts. I am level-headed and thoughtful, and I work to be sure that decisions are made on behalf of ALL students of Red Wing Public Schools. As shown over the past four years, I am dedicated to the Red Wing community and willing to put in the time and effort needed to build relationships and make positive change for our students and families.
Our district has worked intentionally over the past four years to make our Native American students feel welcomed and included within our schools. We must continue this work to ensure ALL marginalized groups of students are seen and heard and welcomed in our school community. We must improve on our outcomes in math, science, and reading. We need a long-term strategic plan focused on district goals moving forward-including how we will best serve our students in the face of more budget cuts.
When determining how to cut a budget, the school board should seek input from the community and staff and rely on the experience of the Director of Finance and Superintendent. We must make cuts first that do not significantly affect the experiences of our students. Thoughtful, creative ideas are necessary in order to ensure continued and new educational opportunities. Our district must research all possible revenue sources and work with our legislature to make education a priority.
One reason we have a racial and economic opportunity gap is because students and families feel that they are not welcome in our educational environments. By increasing a sense of belonging in our schools, students are more likely to see themselves as learners and ultimately are more successful. It is important to recognize that our system was built for and by white people, and we need to be intentional about truly listening to our non-white community members in order to make tangible changes.
It is crucial to build relationships so that community members and staff feel they can share their ideas and input without judgment. This is a constant work in progress as new opportunities and issues arise in the district. It is important that district administrators and the board continue to reach out to our community, students and staff to ask for direct input on new ideas such as our upcoming cell phone policy and strategic planning. We also must get student voices back on our school board.
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My background includes 25 years teaching in 5th grade, middle school, high school, and as a professor in higher education. I earned a doctorate in education with a focus on environmental education. As a parent, while our three children attended ISD #256 from kindergarten through twelfth grade, I volunteered on district committees, in classrooms, and on field trips. I spent eight years on the Red Cottage Montessori School Board and nine years on the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center Board. I now serve on the Red Wing Library Board. Schools are facing unique challenges at this time; I am a strong candidate for school board as someone who understands those challenges and how systems in schools work.
Priorities include giving students and teachers the support they need for quality education for all while executing fiscal responsibility. For example, a challenge facing youth today are mental health struggles that impact learning. Research indicates learning in nature improves mental & physical health, social skills, grades, self-esteem, and emotional connections to people and nature. I advocate extended use of the existing nature and outdoor classrooms that are part of the Red Wing schools.
District-wide fiscal responsibility conducted collaboratively helps stakeholders feel a sense of ownership. I would recommend each school form a budget committee of school and parent representatives and another committee that includes the superintendent, director of buildings and grounds, special services, food service, and parent representatives. Tackling budget reviews is complex, and all decisions must be made in the best interest of the students at all times.
Racial and economic disparities in the schools can be alleviated using culturally responsive pedagogy and the teachers’ ability to analyze curriculum materials to be inclusive and not exclusive, ensuring images, texts, stories, and histories reflect the experience of all in the student body. To help ensure that all students feel they belong and are safe in the schools, staff training may be needed to ensure employees can recognize microaggressions with clear school procedures to address them.
Any major change is better received when the stakeholders, teachers, and families are part of the decision making process. Therefore, it is important to ask teachers and families what they feel are strengths and positive aspects as well as areas to improve regarding the school district, from the physical spaces and school culture, to the individual needs of students. Communication can occur through surveys, newsletters, and public meetings for open discussion in school.
