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With over 24 years in corporate learning and a certification in instructional design, I bring a fresh perspective and a commitment to positively shaping students outcomes. My continuous learning approach enables me to question and innovate effectively. As a learning professional and leader, I offer collaborative skills, strategic thinking, problem solving, budget planning, and more. I am dedicated to fostering an environment where students thrive through quality education, safety, and open communication. Having been part of the community for over 35 years and with children who attended the district, I am passionate about serving our community.
In the past nine months, I’ve attended school board meetings to understand the district better. My top priority is ensuring high quality education by meeting students at their individual learning levels. Equally important is providing a safe environment where students and staff can thrive. Lastly, fostering open communication between staff, students, and the community is essential for maintaining trust and collaboration.
My strategy for addressing the budget cuts involves reviewing spending to distinguish needs from wants and postponing non-essential expenses. I will explore reducing vendor costs and increasing alternative revenue streams. Maintaining key staffing roles and avoiding larger class sizes are crucial to preserving quality education. Additionally, conducting an annual 10% reduction exercise will ensure we are prepared to make necessary adjustments efficiently.
Addressing educational disparities is both a state and national issue that demands a collaborative effort from teachers, policymakers, the community, and families. To effectively tackle this challenge, we must first analyze data to identify the specific gaps within Eden Prairie. With this insight, we can develop targeted solutions to effectively support and improve our school district.
Open communication is a top priority for me. Gathering feedback from key stakeholders is crucial, and their voices must be heard. As decisions are made, it is essential to share information through various channels. If a communication platform does not exist, we should create one to document decisions and ensure that all relevant parties stay informed.
I have more experience than any member of the Eden Prairie school board or any candidate. I have served 8 years on the Eden Prairie school board, and I love the work. For the past 2 years I have been Eden Prairie’s representative on the board of Intermediate School District 287 which serves the unique learners of 12 member districts. I’ve learned so much about special education and what it means to help each student achieve their potential.
My experience is more than just time served—it's about effective leadership and the ability to make impactful decisions that enhance our students' educational experiences and success. I am committed to listening to our community and excited to continue supporting the mission of inspiring each student.
Driving achievement by engaging students in their learning, advocating for the safety and well-being of students and staff, and ensuring that the district is operated in a financially and environmentally sustainable manner. Successfully preparing students for their futures is the goal of any school district. Learning requires a safe and inclusive environment for students and staff as well as financial stability to ensure that the necessary resources are available to support students and staff.
Fortunately, Eden Prairie is not facing budget cuts, unlike many districts. It is also at a 10 year high in enrollment, resulting in stable revenues. If cuts are necessary in the future, I would work closely with the administration to identify areas that would have the least impact on student achievement and staff effectiveness. It would also be important to ensure that no group of students or staff is disproportionately impacted by budget cuts.
The EP School Board is always looking at disaggregated data to identify disparities in achievement and district operations. The board needs to ensure that the district has the focus and resources to address identified disparities. The district’s emphasis on personalized learning is critical in addressing disparities. Focusing on the needs and experiences of each student allows us to identify specific areas where students need support and provide targeted services to improve their proficiency.
Finding effective ways to hear the voices of staff and the community requires intentionality and a willingness to approach engagement in different ways. During my current term I have advocated for a more concerted effort on the part of the board to engage staff and underrepresented groups in our community. Fundamentally you need to meet people where they are instead of expecting them to come to you. I would advocate for more purposeful outreach to diverse groups of staff and community members.
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