POSITIONS
Our schools should be a place where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. Since being elected to the Mequon-Thiensville School District Board of Education in 2022, I have remained committed to strengthening academic excellence, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and fostering transparency between the district and our community. As I seek reelection in 2025, I am excited to continue championing policies that put students first, empower parents, and keep our schools focused on academic excellence. Our district has a strong foundation, and together, we can build on that success to ensure every student is equipped for a bright future. With your support, we will strengthen MTSD as a model of excellence, innovation, and accountability for our families and community.
Oath of Office in April of 2022
CURRENT TOPICS
Academic Excellence
The Mequon-Thiensville School District continues to excel academically, earning a ranking of "Significantly Exceeds Expectations" on the 2023 2024 District Report Cards issued by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. With an overall score of eighty three point one, our district ranks in the top three percent among three hundred sixty seven kindergarten through twelfth grade public school districts in the state. As we build on this success, we are preparing to approve a new strategic plan on March 17, 2025, that will guide our district’s vision for the next three years. This plan focuses on fostering academic growth, expanding student engagement and well being, strengthening professional development for educators, and deepening community partnerships. I fully support this plan as a framework to ensure every student receives high quality, technology rich instruction, access to advanced coursework, and career connected learning experiences. By continuing to prioritize data driven decision making and strategic resource allocation, we will maintain and enhance our district’s tradition of excellence while preparing all students for lifelong success.
Fiscal Responsibility & Community Engagement
In November 2024, our community approved a $26.4 million operational referendum, the first in our district's history, to maintain and sustain high quality educational programs, demonstrating our shared commitment to investing in students and supporting dedicated staff. To address ongoing budget challenges, the Mequon-Thiensville School District assembled a Community Task Force in October 2023 to evaluate budget shortfalls and provide recommendations to the Board of Education and administration, reinforcing the importance of community involvement in financial decision making. In addition, the district engaged the broader community through a survey process to gather valuable input on priorities for the future of our schools. The Board of Education also empowered the administration to implement a zero based budgeting process to establish clear budget priorities. Through this process, the Board remains committed to responsible financial stewardship by advocating for additional resources at the state level and ensuring that only essential funds from the approved referendum are utilized.
ALL Children
Each student is unique, with individual strengths and different levels of readiness. Every child deserves access to opportunities and supports that empower them to succeed today and prepare for college, careers, and life. By ensuring all students receive the resources they need without taking away from others, we can create an environment where everyone thrives. When we advocate for and support every student, we strengthen our schools, our community, and our future.
Safety and Security
Ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and staff remains a top priority for the Mequon-Thiensville School District. According to the district’s Operational Data Review as part of the strategic planning process, parents and guardians feel their children are safe at school, reinforcing our commitment to maintaining and enhancing security measures. As we move forward with the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, set for approval on March 17, 2025, we will continue investing in proactive strategies such as improved building access controls, expanded video surveillance, and strengthened emergency response procedures. Recognizing that student well-being is deeply connected to school safety, we are also expanding student support services, integrating proactive mental health initiatives, and improving attendance rates to ensure every student feels secure, supported, and engaged in learning. While our district has strong safety measures in place, we must remain vigilant in addressing emerging challenges, including cybersecurity threats and ongoing concerns about student mental health. By taking a data-driven approach to school security and well-being, we will ensure that MTSD continues to be a place where students can learn and thrive in a safe, structured, and inclusive environment.
Legislative Advocacy
The district is committed to strong legislative advocacy to ensure stable and sustainable state funding that supports the priorities outlined in our new strategic plan, which will be approved on March 17, 2025. Ensuring adequate resources for our schools is not a partisan issue, it is a commitment to providing every student with the high quality education they deserve while being fiscally responsible. Adequate funding is essential to maintaining strong instructional programs, retaining exceptional educators, and expanding opportunities that prepare students for future success. The findings of the Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding provide a clear, research based framework for improving the way schools are funded, and these recommendations should be implemented in a way that prioritizes efficiency and accountability. By advocating for responsible policies and strategic resource allocation, we can continue to invest in academic growth, student well being, and career connected learning while ensuring financial sustainability for the Mequon-Thiensville School District.
Teacher and Staff Excellence
The success of our students depends on the strength, dedication, and expertise of our educators and staff. To maintain the Mequon-Thiensville School District as a destination for top talent, we must prioritize competitive compensation, ongoing professional development, and a supportive work environment. As part of the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, we are committed to fostering a culture that values and invests in our employees. This includes expanding opportunities for instructional leadership, enhancing professional learning, and ensuring that operational efficiencies support, rather than compete with, the district’s academic mission. Retaining high-quality educators and staff is critical to student achievement, and by strengthening employee engagement and career growth pathways, we will continue to provide exceptional learning experiences for all students.
MY CORE BELIEFS
Students
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Every student has the ability to learn and grow, and it is the district’s responsibility to provide the support, resources, and high expectations needed for success.
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All students, including those with disabilities and unique talents, deserve access to high-quality educational opportunities that meet their individual needs and prepare them for the future.
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Every student has the right to a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment that nurtures both academic and personal growth.
Learning
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Academic excellence is achieved through rigorous and relevant learning experiences that challenge students to think critically, solve problems, and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways.
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Academic excellence and student well-being go hand in hand; schools must foster both strong academic outcomes and social-emotional growth to ensure lifelong success.
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Strong instructional leadership must be the district’s top priority, with systems in place to ensure operational efficiency supports, rather than competes with, high-quality teaching and learning.
Parents and Community
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Engaging the community with transparency, respect, and collaboration is essential for building trust and ensuring district decisions reflect shared priorities.
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Community input must be actively sought and meaningfully integrated into the decision-making process to ensure policies and initiatives reflect the needs of all stakeholders.
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District processes must be transparent, accessible, and responsive to ensure parents and community members can easily engage and contribute to student success.
Staff
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Staff must be valued and supported as they are essential to student success and the district’s long-term excellence.
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Employee engagement is essential for fostering a positive school culture, improving staff retention, and enhancing student success.
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The district must offer competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain top educators, ensuring students receive high-quality instruction.
School Board
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The school board’s role is to provide strong governance, set clear policies, and ensure accountability for student success and district excellence.
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Transparency in decision-making is essential to building trust and ensuring the community remains informed and engaged in district priorities.
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Effective governance requires active listening, collaboration, and consensus-building to support policies that benefit students, staff, and the community.
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Leadership must be guided by integrity, accountability, and a commitment to what is best for students and the community.
QUESTIONS and ANSWERS from the 2022 Election Cycle
The following document contains all of the questions asked by various media outlets and organizations and my answers to each of them:
Family Fun Before the 4th Parade - Thiensville