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

Yes, I have three children currently enrolled in IPS schools (7th grade, 5th grade, 4th grade). We enrolled our oldest child in our IPS neighborhood school after moving to Indianapolis in July 2019. Choosing district-run schools has been a priority for our family, because strong public schools make for strong communities. My husband and I wanted our children to be educated alongside their neighbors, in a diverse community. As an IPS family, we have navigated enrollment, special education, COVID, Rebuilding Stronger, and the ILEA/IPEC transition along with many other Indianapolis residents. I believe this gives me a unique and important perspective on how Indy residents experience our school system and what they hope to see from our district moving forward.

What prompted you to run this year?

I believe strong public schools are essential to thriving families and a thriving city. I’m a former public school teacher and mom of three IPS students. Indy residents are exhausted by the constant tumult and transition, and those of us who care about public schools are exhausted by constant disinvestment. We are in a particularly significant moment—facing many questions about how IPEC will move forward, if IPS will receive necessary referendum support from our community, and how Indianapolis will weather the nation’s current economic situation. I am running for school board because Indianapolis needs strong and compassionate leadership at this moment, and IPS families deserve a commissioner who understands their experiences in our district and our hopes for its successful, stable, student-focused future.

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

As the district of record in our large, urban school district, IPS has a continual and important responsibility to educate our city’s most vulnerable students, including English Language Learners, special education students, and those from low-income families. Our nation’s current political and economic environment only makes this responsibility all the more important. Caring for our most vulnerable students is not prioritized in an ecosystem that values market competition; we must remember that our role as a public school system is to care for every student within our boundaries—not just those who allow for efficiency or boost test scores. These needs are complex and must be addressed in a variety of ways. For example, the enrollment zones established during Rebuilding Stronger, while imperfect, help lessen student movement between schools due to housing instability; I have seen this play out in my own children’s schools. Another example is to carefully consider which schools most need additional support staff, and adjust accordingly. External partnerships are essential, as is advocating at the state level for policies that are pro-family and pro-community.

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

IPS must continue to increase the percentage of students meeting grade level expectations in reading and math, particularly for students of color and English Language Learners. Significant progress has been made in this area, but we have a long way to go. Most recently, 70% of 3rd graders were proficient on iRead, and only 10% of 6th graders met their growth goals in math. Reading, in particular, is the foundation of academic success in upper grade levels, essential to student learning and achievement across subject areas. Improvement in these core subject areas will also lead to more public confidence in our school district and increased enrollment—both of which are essential to our long-term stability as a district.

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

Much remains to be seen about how IPEC will operate and how this new entity will share responsibility with the school board. I am closely watching how this develops. I believe those IPS School Board Commissioners who have also been appointed to IPEC have a particular responsibility to communicate clearly and openly with the rest of the board, as well as share the thoughts and opinions of other commissioners with IPEC. It is important that in relation to IPEC, commissioners are professional and cooperative while also firm and clear about IPS’s needs and how they must be met. Because IPEC is an appointed body and not accountable through democratic processes, the board will need to work hard to ensure the needs of our constituents are met. We need open communication channels so that IPS remains abreast of all IPEC decision making and can respond appropriately.

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

Given decades of under-investment from our state and federal governments, I support referendums as a path toward a fully-funded district. It would have been my preference for the referendum to fully close IPS’s current funding gap. Nevertheless, I believe its successful passage is essential. Public schools are a public good that contribute productively toward thriving neighborhoods and a flourishing economy; it is in everyone’s best interest for this referendum to pass. At the same time, I recognize the potential financial burden this places on Indianapolis residents. Therefore, as a school board commissioner, I will work hard to ensure judicious financial stewardship of referendum dollars (including holding charter schools accountable for how those dollars are spent). I will also advocate for our state legislature to fund public education appropriately so that local referendums will not be necessary in the future.

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?

I am particularly concerned about equity as IPS makes additional budget cuts. In school districts across the country, cuts are often made in ways that most harm communities of color and our most vulnerable student populations. We can not and must not cause more harm or disruption to these communities, and as a board member, I will work hard to ensure decisions are made with equity in mind. Concurrently, I will ensure that we communicate clearly about what cuts are being made and why, so that our community is confident in IPS’s prudent financial stewardship. Additionally, as the entity responsible for IPS governance, the school board must continue to forcefully advocate on behalf of Indianapolis families to our state legislature. We must foster cooperative and productive relationships with those individuals who create education policy in our state (e.g. Governor Braun and Representative Behning). We will do this not by capitulating to political whims but by articulating a compelling vision of a stable, successful school district. As a board member, I will consider this work a top priority until our state government prioritizes the funding of our public schools.

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

During the ILEA process and its aftermath, I witnessed firsthand how community voice was ignored and rejected by the ILEA, the Mayor, and even our school board. I have heard firsthand from many IPS parents and Indianapolis residents that this process left them feeling disillusioned and disenfranchised; I experienced those feelings myself. This is one of my primary motivating factors in my run for school board. Our community deserves to know that their concerns will be heard and considered–not merely tolerated in 2-minute public comment periods. Of course, we are a diverse community with diverse opinions, needs, and desires related to schools, and not all community members will always be satisfied with every decision. This is why a strong vision, clear rationale, and frequent and open communication are essential. My goal is to be a commissioner who is respected and trusted by even those with whom I may disagree. If elected, I intend to hold regular listening sessions with constituents and also publish regular updates via email, website, and social media. I will prioritize the feedback of the community I am elected to serve, not other politicians or power brokers.

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?

At this point in my campaign, every donation is from family, friends, and word-of-mouth connections. We are running a grassroots campaign, and the majority of contributions will continue to come through grassroots sources. I welcome contributions from groups whose support does not constitute a conflict of interest upon election, and whose policies serve to benefit all IPS students. I will not accept contributions from organizations whose focus diminishes the strength of our district or the stability of our district-run schools. I will be transparent by filing my campaign finance reports and am happy to answer additional questions as necessary.