Who is experienced and ready to serve day one?

Two weeks to election day. For your sake, voters, I hope to contrast my candidacy with my opponent’s.

I appreciate, for example, my opponent’s earnest desire to serve our community. Yet from my nine years in school board service and related capacities, I confess it’s not a pickup game. Our community deserves a well-prepared candidate from day one—a well-known, a proven long-term resident with verified ability and a record of success.

Sadly, our community has witnessed the results of unknown, unvetted candidates appearing before an election to promise much…yet with little understanding of complex challenges ahead. Our district stands poised at an extraordinary juncture, warranting extraordinary service.

Following my involved, two-decade tenure in our community, I recognize our vital need to regain its broken faith and confidence—including with the priceless resource of our teachers and administrators, and regaining the privilege to rescue plummeting enrollment. We also must get our financial house in order. Both challenges require no-nonsense leadership and competence. I not only know what needs to be done; I commit to you, our community, that I possess the ability to accomplish it.

I haven’t just read about initiatives for which I advocate. I’ve been actively involved in implementation. Deeply engaged, I have forensically dissected changes our district has recently endured, attending countless meetings and listening to innumerable teachers, students, and parents making the painful choice to leave. There’s no learning curve for me with our fractured financial landscape and unprecedented budget challenges: a federal shutdown, an indebted state, a dismantling Department of Education. Rather than more culture-war distraction or experiment, we need experience.

Strong, lasting, district-wide relationships and broad, community support across dividing lines and schools empower my leadership—essential connections and trust for any board member. My focus remains on the kids, all kids, in our district, rather than political maneuvering. These are your kids. Your voice and opinions matter. I’ve been listening. I’ll keep listening.

My opponent has been in our community under two years, experience focused solely on Merit Academy. His words seem to indicate the status quo is fine as-is. He views his position as an unknown, untested candidate as his strength: “Nobody knows me. I have not been involved with the controversy. That is what makes me a good candidate.”

Perhaps in some circumstances. Yet our community’s wounded, delicate state necessitates vetted members well-versed in challenges at hand and equitably receiving all opinions. While I respect his Merit involvement, our broad and bruised district presents significantly more to be understood and mastered. Direct experience with other schools and their day-to-day challenges is essential.

Via integrity, ability, and linked arms, we must right the ship. We have observed firsthand the destructive effects of political King-of-the-Hill—in a district intended for our children. The choice is now yours to choose readiness and relevance, extending our children their best chance for life opportunities.

I would be honored and humbled to have your vote, and from day one, and will not disappoint you.