I served this community as a firefighter/EMT for 11 years. I retired as a Lieutenant after being injured. During that time, we supported our schools through different events to ensure the safety of all kids. We also had fire prevention weeks where we spoke directly to kids/teachers/parents. The most pressing challenge that I see in D-38 is a need to re-build trust where it has been fractured in the community. That is my number one priority in working with the board to re-build trust where it has been lost.

As a member of the board we will listen to the superintendent/administrators/teachers to identify what is working and what is not working for the varying needs of students and families. We will make sure that we have the materials, resources and systems in place (personalized learning) to ensure that every child has an opportunity for success. Regarding budgeting we will look at our monetary resources and decide how to direct resources where needed based on the varying needs of students and families.

The approval of a charter school first starts with the standardized criteria established by the district (if applicable) followed by a board review of the application. District 38 is the chartering authority to Monument Academy. The charter application would define the educational, operational and financial information of the school as well as the ability and capacity to implement the program. I am an adamant supporter of charter schools as an additional option for parents to choose the best education mode for their children.

Every student should be treated equally regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender and sexual orientation. Lewis Palmer District 38 adopted and passed a resolution on 8/26/2019 regarding local control as it relates to HB 19-1032. Per the district resolution – “The Lewis Palmer School District Board of Education does not intend to approve a course of instruction that would be required to follow the contents of HB 19-1032 as that would constitute a violation of the Board’s control of instruction and, thus, be unconstitutional.” I am in full support of this resolution.

They should be a part of the educational system and be collaborative with the other areas of education. There are many students that may need unique personalized learning approaches and each of these offers a role in a student’s life to help give them a foundation upon which to build. Students learn focus, collaboration, accountability, perseverance and decision making. As a board member we would work together with the administrators/teachers that oversee these programs and balance the funding based on need and interest from students.

As a board we need to continually review the existing programs for efficacy and look at ways of improving. Currently D-38 has “Sources of Strength” with student leaders, Phil Donahue from Value Up and Safe to Tell which all provide avenues of support for our students emotional/social/safety needs. As a board member I would also encourage bringing the parents, student and teachers into the conversation for greater success overcoming some of the emotional/social/safety needs of our kids.

Our teachers are professional educators and they should be free to discuss religion in an objective manner.

In 2015, I was elected to the LPSD38 School Board and have served as secretary, vice president, and currently serve as board president. Three of my children attend Lewis-Palmer schools. One challenge is to provide a top-notch education for every student with the scarce resources available and to ensure the best educators are rewarded for their success in supplementing the parental responsibility of nurturing children to become local, national and global stewards. I strive to provide complete transparency in the board of education’s deliberative process of creating policy to provide direction to district administration in achieving its goals.

One challenge is to provide a top-notch education for every student with the scarce resources available to a growing LPSD 38. However, because our district is smaller, we frequently review school needs and judiciously appropriate the necessary funds for each school, all while striving to maintain complete transparency. We also consistently and conscientiously review our budget and monetary expenditures in the district, providing this information on a routine basis to our stakeholders.

Colorado Department of Education provides the criteria for accepting a charter school. I support and believe every student in LPSD, Monument Academy, or home-schooled should receive a top-notch education. Parents should be permitted to choose the school and educational path that best fits their child. We are also fortunate to have an award-winning District and charter school. D38 currently does not allow out-of-district choice-in for elementary and middle schools and Monument Academy has a waiting list because of our large enrollment numbers relative to school capacity. Monument continues to be one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the state of Colorado.

I believe in the rule of law. The Colorado Constitution clearly states local school boards, “shall have control of instruction in the public schools of their respective districts;” a constitutional principle known as “local control”. The values of the community should determine what is taught to our children. HB19-1032 really has little effect on D38 as our current sexual education curriculum was developed by our parents, teachers and administrators and addresses the needs of our students.

The arts and sciences are vital in a balanced public education. However, each child has unique inclinations geared for varied aspects of what can be offered in public education. While it is important that every child has exposure to a broad array of educational opportunities, there should also be enough depth of choice to focus on certain areas of greater interest by every child. Utilizing the feedback of our stakeholders, including teachers, administrators, parents & students, we tailor our school offerings/budget per each school community and their needs/desires.

Counselors and mental health professionals may not be a student’s initial confident in that crucial first revelation of critical stress, thus we should equip educators on how to make a positive impact, foster an environment in which students have access to privately express their feelings, and nurture collaboration with parents. Our in-school counselors/administrators have received extensive training on identifying and helping at-risk teens. Our district is making great strides in promoting programs such as Sources of Strength, Safe-To-Tell, Kiwanis, RAD teen activities and community activities.

Being an involved parent of five children for over nine years, I believe LPSD 38 does an excellent job of understanding and practicing the separation of church and state. Further, based on my experience the district recognizes and is sensitive to the backgrounds and beliefs of its diverse population of nearly 6,800 students.