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WHY RUN?

I’m running because I believe in kids – and community.

Since Johanna and I moved to Traverse City in 2006, I’ve been dedicated to helping kids succeed and building community in many ways:

Founder of Norte: Happy, healthy, strong kids
Founder of Carter’s Compost – Neighborhood bucket slingers
Big Brother: Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Michigan
Task Force Member: Safer Kids, Safer Schools explored perspectives and solutions to increase the safety and wellbeing of our kids
TCAPS Coordinator: Led the district’s Health & Wellness Systems Change initiative.
Coach: Traverse Heights Elementary’s flag football team (back-to-back undefeated seasons – go Roadrunners!)
Sunrise Rotary Club Member: Two local education-focused signature projects: Born To Read (childhood literacy) and Backpacks For Kids (school supplies for families in need)
Founder of Youth-Focused Communities: Roadrunner Nation, We Fight, Play Traverse City, Coach Traverse City, and MoveCorps
Board Member: Served on the Traverse Heights Elementary PTO as an at-large community member
Advocate: Active member of the 2018 TCAPS Bond “Yes” Committee

READY TO SERVE IN A NEW WAY

I believe that when kids are happy, healthy, supported and loved by their community, they are better learners.

And I believe that TCAPS is a better school district when we do everything we can to ensure that every child has the same opportunities to succeed, no matter their circumstances:

No matter where they live
No matter how much money their parents make
No matter if they have special needs
No matter their race or gender or orientation
No matter if English is their first language

I’m now excited to serve in a new way, as a school board trustee, and continue to help our kids succeed.

MY FOUR PRIORITY FOCUS AREAS

Equitable Student Achievement & Excellence

Leverage best practice policies to close the district’s student achievement gap [2023/24 elementary student achievement report , middle school report, high school report]
Revisit the Educational Equity listening tour findings by Digital Promise and the Learner-Centered Collaborative
Review policy of split classes in Title 1 schools
Review policy of class sizes in Title 1 schools
Build more classrooms at Title 1 schools to accommodate above [ie. 2024 bond funds will help Traverse Heights expand]
Expand after-school offerings at Title 1 schools like Courtade’s STEM program – Creative Explorers
Increase the number of schools receiving Title I Distinguished School recognition [only Courtade in 2015?]
Add student achievement gap goals to the district’s next strategic plan (current one expires in 2025)
At least one school recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
Review Self Select Honors policy
Improve equitable access to out-of-school enrichment opportunities (after-school and summer)

Health, Wellbeing, Connection & Student Support

Return to participating in the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth [district pulled out in 2022]
Add a School Connectedness goal to the district’s next strategic plan (current one expires in 2025)
Review the district’s mentorship program structure focusing on efficiency, impact and sustainability

Community Engagement & Storytelling

Review policy for appointing community members to district committees and teams
Review policy on how community partners in buildings are structured and organized to maximize impact and efficiency
Increase the district’s storytelling about all the positive things happening re: educational equity, student achievement, health, wellbeing and school connectedness

Transparency & Accountability

Improve the district’s budget narrative and explain the decision-making process better to boost public understanding of the “how” and “why” we invest our dollars
Ensure the state’s record 2024/25 $1B in at-risk funding is invested in the best way possible to help students who are furthest from opportunity succeed
Create a strategic plan dashboard that’s easy for the public to find (ie. front page of website) and read (not a google spreadsheet)
Always include meeting materials in the meeting packet for the public to review before meetings [didn’t happen for a recent July 22 middle school student achievement study session, August 1 Nutrition presentation at Finance Committee meeting, August 29 meeting on classroom size/splits]
Allow the public to pull items from the Board meeting consent calendar
Allow public comment for each board meeting action item
Allow the public to subscribe to receive the Board meeting agendas and packets by email
Livestream/record all district committee and team meetings that include a Board trustee (ie. Health & Wellness Committee, Student Health Center Community Advisory Committee)