Common Sense Leadership for St. Cloud Schools

Schools need strong educators.

School Boards support educators.

School Boards need strong leadership.

I have shown I can provide that leadership.

For 13 years, I have had the privilege of serving on the District 742 School Board. During that time, I have worked with many different personalities, faced difficult decisions, and remained focused on what matters most: improving education and creating opportunities for every student.

I believe schools should be places of learning, free from unnecessary distractions and focused on preparing students for successful lives.

I am running to continue bringing a practical, agenda-free, results-oriented approach to the board. My career has been built on leadership, strategic planning, fiscal responsibility, and building successful organizations. Those are the same skills required to help lead a successful school district.

My Priorities

Keep the Focus on Students

Every decision should begin with one question: "How does this improve student success?"

Safe and Secure Schools

Students and staff deserve schools where they feel safe, respected, and supported.

Fiscal Responsibility

Balanced budgets, responsible spending, transparency, and long-term financial planning are essential to protecting taxpayer dollars while investing wisely in our students.

Leadership Through Governance

The board's responsibility is to establish vision, adopt sound policy, hire outstanding leadership, and ensure accountability. We hire exceptional educators because they are the experts in education. My job is to provide leadership, not interfere with the important work they do every day.

Strong State Advocacy

District 742 deserves a board member who understands how to effectively advocate for our students while keeping the focus on the needs of our local schools. I have experience working with the Minnesota School Boards Association and have also testified before the legislature.

Giving Back

During my years on the school board, I have donated more than $70,000 to support District 742 students and programs. Major contributions have included donations to the Music Matters Legacy Fund through LEAF, which supports music education throughout District 742. I have also supported the Ready, Set, School! initiative, which starting this year provides every PK-6 classroom with the school supplies students need, helping relieve families of that expense. In addition I have made donations to the District 742 Transitional Services Department to help students experiencing homelessness and other hardships. as well as sponsoring numerous athletic teams, booster clubs, and student activities over the years because I believe a great education includes opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

Building the Next Great Career Pathway

During my time on the board, District 742 has made tremendous investments in Career and Technical Education. Today, we have one of the strongest CTE programs in Central Minnesota, offering outstanding pathways in healthcare, manufacturing, engineering, computer science, and the skilled trades. Combined with new schools and upgraded facilities, these investments are helping strengthen our district and contributing to renewed enrollment growth.

But one challenge remains.

Approximately 4,000 students who live within District 742 choose to attend school somewhere else each year through open enrollment or private schools. Every student who leaves represents an opportunity for us to ask an important question:

What can District 742 do to become the first choice for even more families?

I believe one answer is to continue expanding the outstanding career pathways that have already made our district stronger.

Central Minnesota is one of the nation's great agricultural regions. Yet one of our largest industries is not fully represented within our Career and Technical Education offerings.

I believe District 742 has the opportunity to become a statewide leader by developing a premier Agriculture, Veterinary & Natural Resources Career Pathway and I want to help make it a reality.

This pathway could prepare students choosing college and/or careers in:

• Veterinary Medicine

• Animal Science

• Wildlife Biology

• Conservation and Natural Resources

• Environmental Science

• Agribusiness

• Food Science and Food Processing

• Forestry

• Greenhouse and Horticulture

• Precision Agriculture

• Zoology

This is not simply an agriculture program.

It is an investment in our students, our workforce, and the future of Central Minnesota.

Like every successful Career and Technical Education initiative, this pathway would be developed thoughtfully, in partnership with educators, higher education, and local employers. My goal is not simply to add another program. My goal is to continue focusing one of the strongest Career and Technical Education systems in Minnesota while creating new opportunities that encourage more families to choose District 742.

I believe schools should prepare students for the careers that drive our regional economy, capture their interests through meaningful, hands-on learning, and provide every student with a genuine opportunity to succeed.

That is the future I want to continue building for District 742.