List your top 3 priorities if elected.

1. Maintain competitive compensation levels.
2. Develop K-12 articulation for innovation and entrepreneurship.
3. Maintain fiscal responsibility that provides ample opportunities to our students while also respecting the budgets of Perry Township taxpayers.

What do you see as the most pressing issue currently facing the district? What will be your approach to addressing it?

Even though Perry Township has maintained a fiscally responsible outlook since I first joined the board (fall 2019), the passage of SB 1 last year has made school funding, at best, complicated for both Perry Township and every public school system across the state of Indiana. In order to continue to offer the best possible education to Perry Township students, we need to maintain competitive compensation levels to maintain and attract talented educators. I have every confidence in the people who create, monitor and maintain our budget but will be sure to regularly attend Finance Committee Meetings and check in to see the extent to which the aforementioned goal is realistic to maintain.

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

I look forward to building a robust program as part of our recently announced partnership with UIndy to build an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program (thanks to generous support from the Lilly Endowment). Even though that is a high school specific program, I know innovation and entrepreneurship is not something that starts when students show up at PMHS/SHS and will want to see how we can make those priorities a K-12 focus. Knowing the world into which our students are graduating, innovation and entrepreneurship are probably the two most important skills we can develop in our students from the earliest age possible.

Affordability and finances are top of mind for districts and voters. What will be your approach to district finances?

As mentioned, I have every confidence in the people who create, monitor and maintain our budget but will continue my commitment to attend Finance Committee Meetings to ensure we’re walking the walk of fiscal responsibility.

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

This shouldn’t be terribly difficult in my mind since, as a parent, I am regularly attending and/or volunteering at many school related activities. While I welcome interactions with community members in those scenarios I would also continue to ask all stakeholders (students and staff) to feel welcome to attend a school board meeting and make public comment. As I often share with people who brave the podium at a meeting, we can’t help make change on issues or concerns we don’t know about!

What would you like to see the district do to attract and retain teachers and staff?

See above answer related to compensation.