As a long-time resident, mom of three in district students, and experienced childcare business owner, I bring a deep commitment to our schools and community. With over a decade of volunteer work in PLSAS, leadership in fundraising, and roles on strategic committees, I understand the challenges and opportunities within our district. My background in special education and childcare equips me to advocate for personalized learning, inclusivity, and the success of every child. I’m passionate about ensuring all students thrive in a supportive, high-quality educational environment.
1.Increasing academic excellence by implementing student-focused policies and personalized learning to boost personal growth
2.Strengthen community partnerships between the district, teachers, and community with open communication, trust, and teacher support building a culture of respect and collaboration.
3.Ensuring all students receive appropriate interventions or advancements at every grade level, focusing on personalized learning to close achievement gaps and maximize every child’s potential
I would prioritize a thorough review of spending to find cost-saving opportunities without sacrificing education quality, ensuring any necessary cuts are far from students to avoid affecting their learning. Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and the community for input on resource allocation for potential new ideas. I’d also advocate for new revenue sources like state and federal funding, grants, and partnerships to protect essential programs and ensure long-term financial stability
To address racial and economic disparities, I would advocate for ensuring all students have access to quality education, support, and opportunities. This includes supporting targeted programs for students that include personalized learning and support, and foster welcoming and supportive environments. Collaboration with families, teachers, and community is essential to create strategies that close achievement gaps and promote success for every student.
I will engage teachers and families by fostering open communication, collaboration and mutual respect ensuring all voices are valued and heard. Collaboration and understanding are key, so I’ll work closely with teachers to understand classroom needs and gather input from families to ensure decisions reflect the community as a whole. By promoting respectful active involvement, we can make informed, student-focused decisions that benefit everyone in the district and serve our shared mission.
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Contact Phone
(952) 513-4399
I bring a unique blend of military discipline and community commitment, alongside my passion for education. My experience as a coach and mentor has shown me the importance of nurturing our youth. I prioritize safety, academic achievement, and strong parent-teacher connections. My leadership skills, honed through years of service, allow me to listen to diverse perspectives and make decisions that reflect our community's needs. I am dedicated to ensuring every student has access to quality education and resources, making me the best candidate for the Prior Lake-Savage School Board.
1. Enhancing Academic Achievement: We must ensure all students receive quality education to prepare them for future challenges.
2. Strengthening Parent-Teacher Connections: Engaged families lead to better student outcomes and foster a supportive community.
3. Ensuring Safety: A safe learning environment is essential for student well-being and success. These priorities will create a foundation for a thriving educational experience.
I would prioritize essential services that directly impact student learning while seeking input from teachers, families, and community members. I would explore partnerships with local businesses and community organizations for additional funding support. Transparency in the decision-making process is crucial to maintaining trust. My goal would be to minimize the impact on classrooms and essential programs, ensuring our students continue to receive the support they need.
I would ensure all students have access to quality education. Engaging with community leaders and families to understand their challenges is key. Implementing targeted programs and initiatives that address specific needs, along with regular assessments of progress, will help close these gaps.
I will prioritize open communication and collaboration with teachers and families, creating forums for feedback and discussion. Regular town hall meetings, surveys, and focus groups will ensure their voices are heard. I will establish a transparent decision-making process that incorporates their insights and concerns. By fostering a culture of partnership and respect, I aim to build trust and strengthen relationships, ensuring that our collective vision for education is realized.
I feel that I am the best candidate for the position of school board for the Prior Lake-Savage area schools due to my experience in education. I have worked in four school district and held the positions of teacher, principal, recruiter and mentor. Although I have lived in the Savage area for 30 years and have not worked in this district, I truly believe that every district I worked in has always been about helping guide students to reach their full potential. Although I retired and have a consulting business in education, I feel that I have a great deal to give back to the community that I live in by helping the students of Prior Lake-Savage school district as a school board member.
One of my top three priorities will be to get to know the school board members in order to work in a collaborative environment. It is very important that we work together with the policies, finances and directions of the district.
It is also important to work closely with the superintendent to make sure the strategic plan is being follow by all district members. I would also look at way to increase our student enrollment for the district.
This is a difficult question as my hope is that the Levy will pass. If not, it is vital that the board work together as a whole with the superintendent and finance director to look at all options, programs and impacts on students and teachers. Yes, input from the staff and program departments is also important along with feedback for parents and the community. With all that said, it will be a very difficult process and decision.
My consulting business is focused on addressing and guiding educators through this. My business, “Systemic Changes for Equity in Education, LLC” has consulted with educators to review policies and provide guidance with teacher, student and administrator situations that may have had some racial or economic disparities within that school and district. It is important to work with all involved to process what has or is taking place to improve the situation for everyone involved.
It is important to stay in contact and to be open to hearing the concerns of teachers who are teaching and working with our students in the district. By doing so, the needs of the district are in the forefront for the education of all students. Families are also vital to knowing the needs of the district. Besides open forum time for families to speak at school board meetings, board members should attend community functions and events to know the families in the district.
I have been a resident of the Prior Lake-Savage district for over 16 years. As a parent of two students in the district I see firsthand all of the great things our district has to offer and areas of opportunity. I hold a Masters of Business Administration and have worked in Finance industry for over 20 years where I manage large implementations, global employees and teams, and multimillion dollar budgets. This makes me well equipped to drive the districts vision, goal setting and financial oversight duties as a board member. I am an active leader in several community non-profits and children’s organizations, I am passionate about giving back to this amazing community, and an advocate for children with special needs!
I believe restoring academic excellence should be our top priority and ALL students should have the resources they need to reach their full potential. To achieve this, we need to promote hard work, responsibility, accountability and have classrooms without distractions. Second, as a mother of a child with disabilities, I bring a unique perspective to ensure inclusivity for special education students. Lastly, I support fiscal responsibility and transparency to our families and taxpayers.
First consider removing or reducing expenditures that do not directly impact core educational outcomes. Of the suggested reductions, I would support removal of 1:1 iPads/devices from Grades K-5 (and potentially through grade 8), moving MNCAPS to a district facility, swimming pool closure at Twin Oaks, removal of staff desktops, and increasing facility use fees. Other consideration might be to consolidate elementary schools where capacity allows (without impact to class size).
We need to promote kindness and respect for all students and address students who are not displaying this behavior. I support curricula with a diverse representation of cultures and will advocate for mentorship programs and additional assistance for students who need. PLSAS should continue to form strong partnerships with local charitable organizations who provide additional support to ensure students basic needs are met so they are able to show up for school nourished and ready to learn!
I encourage open communication and collaboration with our teachers and families. I will listen to all feedback provided to me as a board member from various forms of communication channels to make informed decisions. Teacher feedback is critical to remove barriers and empower them to focus on providing a great education to all of our students. Parent feedback and involvement is important to the success of our district and we should be responsive and transparent as to why decisions are made.
I have a strong finance background with 18 years of experience with direct exposure to banking, personal lending, business credit, corporate structuring, insurance, investments and estate planning matters. I have board experience serving on multiple boards including the Laker Educational Foundation, as its President for four years and am on the board for Prior Lake Rotary's Lakefront Music Fest in addition to chairing other committees and projects. Lastly, I have two wonderful daughters that attend school at PLSAS and we are a proud Laker family. I care about our schools because I know that strong schools = strong communities.
1. Fiscal Accountability: ensure funds remain focused on student outcomes, building safety, and that the district remains disciplined with tax dollars.
2. Academic Excellence: remediate declining MDE test scores,
teacher retention and recruitment: Good teachers = Strong schools.
3. Positive & Supportive Culture for Students and Staff: Rebuild the collaboration, trust and overall culture of the Board to be an example for the entire district.
I will try to minimize student and teacher impact, while being cognizant of any alternative options (or lack of options) that may exist for those impacted.
Economically, PLSAS sits much below the State average regarding students qualifying for Free and Reduced Meals. The district is at 19% while the State average is 42.4%. I will support the social workers as they assist many of these families. Additionally, I know the district already has great work being done by our Cultural Liaisons and continues to work to improve attendance in many student populations. Studies have shown higher absence rates lead to lower achievement.
As issues arise that would require the school board to take action, I will always welcome community input. Whether that be in the board room, out in the community, or emails from parents directly. I want to hear all voices to make the best decisions possible. I would love to connect with teachers without overstepping, to the extent I could be helpful to them, as a direct resource. As in all workplaces, there is a hierarchy to keep the buildings running at peak performance which I will respect.
