I made it the goal of this campaign to run on getting kids ready for life, not just ready for college. College is great and wonderful and was good for me but there are many people in my life who did not go to school after high school and still created great careers for themselves. One of those people is my husband. In high school, he studied art, jewelry making and math. He worked in a rock shop. He apprenticed himself to a jeweler after high school by walking into the shop and asking to learn. Many years later, he became one of the first “Master Jewelers” awarded in Colorado.
This is a typical career path for many kids who are not college bound but nevertheless evince interest in a subject. It may be art, music, old automobiles or something else. My challenge to everyone is to see these young people and help them achieve their full potential. That means giving them the tools to navigate the world. Reading, science and math skills will help them be successful but we must also help them find the skills they need to go out and conquer their dreams!
Financial Oversight
Sound financial oversight is one of the board’s most important responsibilities. Our district has managed its budget carefully, planning ahead to avoid surprises and protect classrooms first. But with state funding levels uncertain and costs continuing to rise, we must be prepared for possible shortfalls. That means maintaining strong reserves, regularly reviewing spending priorities, and developing alternate budget scenarios so we’re ready for any outcome. Careful planning allows us to keep teacher pay competitive, maintain safe facilities, and continue supporting students even when the financial climate shifts. Fiscal responsibility isn’t just about balancing numbers — it’s about ensuring stability for our schools, our staff, and our children’s future.
Curriculum Decisions
Colorado has clear curriculum guidelines for all grades. Social Studies guidelines ask, for example, to include the views from multiple perspectives on historical events. This might be by including writings, music or other audiovisual information, not only about all contributors to an event but by various subgroups and cultures. I support the inclusion of multifaceted information for teaching all subjects.
Facilities Planning
We’ve taken a proactive approach to maintaining and improving school buildings across the district. By tracking maintenance needs and prioritizing safety upgrades, we prevent costly emergencies before they happen. Looking ahead, we’ll continue seeking grants and partnerships to keep our facilities safe, efficient, and ready for the next generation of students.
Outreach and Transparency
Good communication builds trust. As a board, we’ve worked hard to stay accessible—through school visits, surveys, public comment, and direct conversations. I make it a point to listen and follow up, whether it’s a small concern or a big issue. True outreach means not just hearing people, but responding and sharing information openly so families understand how and why decisions are made.
Family Choice
Delta County has long supported family choice, and that must continue. Parents have the right to be involved in their child’s education—to review curriculum, to opt out when appropriate, and to make their own medical and privacy decisions for their children. At the same time, I believe in keeping strong schools in all five of our communities, so every family has access to quality education close to home. By respecting parents’ roles and maintaining local options, we strengthen both family trust and community connection.
Sex Ed
While parents may opt their children out of any sex education unit, it is my belief that schools should teach the facts and parents should teach the morals. Schools are in a great position to keep up with the science information and I trust parents to pass on their spiritual and moral knowledge to their kids parallel and complementary to what the schools impart.
Advocate for DCSD
As a School Board Director, there is a unique opportunity to advocate for Delta County School District at the state level. Using my voice to make sure DCSD has all the resources it needs to have a positive learning atmosphere is my goal. Currently, one particular goal is to advocate for full funding for schools, on par with the state school finance adequacy study.