If you have kids – Do they attend or have they graduated from IPS schools? If not, where do/did they attend?

Lawrence Central High School & Oaklandon Elementary School

What prompted you to run this year?

Finish what I started in 2024

What is the most pressing student needs issue facing the district? How will you address it?

Reading proficiency. I would prioritize early literacy, give teachers the support they need, partner with families and don’t simply ask are scores improving. Duplicate the best practices of schools that are improving.

What area of academics do you think the district needs to focus on and why?

Reading is the foundation for all learning. Strong reading skills affect every area of education. Students must be able to read and comprehend information in science, social studies and mathematics. When students struggle with reading, they often struggle across multiple subjects, creating achievement gaps that become more difficult to close over time.

As Indianapolis education begins this new phase with the addition of IPEC, how should the board approach its relationship with IPEC?

As in any partnership there needs to be clear lines of communication. Roles must be defined clearly to provide the best outcomes for kids at the end of the day. We have to put students ahead of organizational boundaries. Transportation, facilities, school quality, and accountability affect students regardless of whether they attend a traditional IPS school, innovation school, or charter school.

Do you support the IPEC referendum and the rate? Why or why not?

I would have loved to see the rate be higher but that can’t be changed. We need to be about the business of creating better outcome for kids with what we been given. We don’t need to focus energy on things we cannot change.

IPS recently made budget cuts and will need to make more cuts even if the referendum passes. What will be your approach to budget cut decisions? Are there other ways IPS can bring in money beyond the referendum?

Myself along with the other commissioners will make the best decisions for the district based off the data provided and the best approach to right size the district. It will be some hard decisions to be made but we didn’t get to this point overnight and it won’t be fixed overnight. There is no one right answer on how to go about this. We need to make sure we look at all avenues as a potential solution. We also have to remember that our district is not receiving the proper funds from the state and until that is corrected, we will always be fighting an uphill battle.

How will you engage with the community if elected? What role will their feedback have in your decision making?

I would make community engagement an ongoing part of how I govern, not just during the election. I need to be visible and accessible. Listen before I lead, build relationships with the schools in my district and work across differences. I would create a feedback loop to keep community members informed about what happened after they raised an issue. The IPS community of families deserves to be heard and when they present something take that into consideration and review how that will impact them both today and in the future.

Outside money to fund campaigns has been a huge factor in previous IPS school board elections. Will you accept any donations from outside special interest groups? Why or why not?

If those interest groups align with my goal of creating better outcomes for students and are invested in the long-term success of the students, of course.