Occupation: Nurse Practitioner

Relevant Experience: Involved Parent, pediatric primary care provider, parent volunteer and vice president/registrar (Raindrop Cooperative Preschool 2009-2012), weekly classroom volunteer (McDermoth Elementary 2010-2016), home school teacher (2016-2017), jazz band festival chaperone (Miller Junior high 2018-2019), autism task force provider (2018-present)

1. What standards would you use to assess whether the Aberdeen School District is succeeding, and by those standards, how is it doing?

Ultimately, we need to ensure that all students in our district have enriching educational opportunities that prepare them for graduation and transition into adulthood. This needs to occur in a supportive, safe, healthy environment where students can thrive. While there are many indirect assessment measures to be considered, attendance and graduation rates are perhaps the most rudimentary objective measures. In our district, these both fall below the state average with four year graduation rate of 77% (per most recent OSPI data).

2. In terms of priorities, what direction would you as a school board member, give to the superintendent?

Since our superintendent is still new to our district, I think it is important that she build a solid foundation of trust with community and staff. Confidence and trust are essential to motivational leadership as we navigate operational challenges. As for a top operational priority, we need to first ensure that all of our students have safe, healthy learning environments. This not only includes maintenance and updates of our physical spaces, but also of our social and cultural environment as well. Basic health and safety needs must be met for successful learning to take place.

3. Collectively, the Legislature takes the position that its new funding methods satisfy a State Supreme Court order to adequately fund basic education. How do you see it?

While the Supreme Court order and associated media coverage helped raise awareness about school funding, it falls short of providing truly adequate funding for our schools. Grays Harbor County is consistently ranked among the unhealthiest counties in the State of Washington and the effects of this on our children cannot be ignored. Poverty and substance abuse impact many students in our community and substantiate additional support in school to meet basic education needs. This support comes additional cost which I do not believe was thoroughly considered in the funding model.