Our schools are filled with outstanding programs that equip students with real-world skills and opportunities. I firmly believe in the power of innovation in education and remain committed to advocating for dynamic, inclusive learning experiences for ALL students. Whether it’s our top-ranked Computer Science programming, robust performing arts opportunities, or essential mental health supports, I’ll continue working to ensure every student has access to the resources and experiences they need to thrive.

Schools should be a safe, supportive environment where every child can learn, grow, and reach their fullest potential. As a school board, it’s our responsibility to create and uphold policies that affirm students for who they are, provide a secure and welcoming learning space, and open doors to every opportunity. I will continue to be a strong advocate for our LGBTQ+ students—ensuring they feel seen, valued, and loved, and that our schools remain a place where they can thrive.

For far too long, our schools have been underfunded and undervalued. As School Board Members, we have a duty to advocate at the state and federal levels for the funding our classrooms, staff, and public education system deserve. I’m committed to continuing this fight—meeting with legislators, pushing for equitable resources, and ensuring we have the support needed to provide the highest quality education for every student.

During my first year on the board, we successfully passed our Safety and Technology Referendum with an astounding 72% pass rate. These funds directly help make our schools safer, provide more access to technology for our students and staff, and help push us forward. Learn more about our successful referendum at this link.

During my time as the Chair of the Policy Committee, we developed and created policies to affirm our students and to ensure all students had access to library materials. I’m proud that our board adopted our Student Gender Inclusion Policy and our Library Materials Policy in 2024 - we took a stand for our students and ensured that every BPS student can see themselves in our schools.

During my first term, we spent a significant amount of time and energy developing our new Strategic Plan. This roadmap for the next few years will make Bloomington Public Schools stronger, help us provide better instruction, close achievement gaps, and create an environment where every learner can reach their full potential. I’m excited to continue “living the plan” and seeing our progress over the next few years.

During my first term, the board has prioritized updates to our facilities: renovations to buildings and classrooms, additions of solar panels to our buildings, and the approval of new stadiums for our high school athletic teams. I’m proud that we are making these much-needed improvements to our facilities and can’t wait to see our students in action in these new and updated spaces.

Each year, we set board priorities for the legislature and work tirelessly to secure the funding our schools need, advance policies that move us forward, and build strong relationships with legislators to make real progress. Every spring, we take our advocacy to the State Capitol, ensuring public education remains a top priority. I’m proud of the work we’ve done and look forward to continuing the fight for our students, staff, and schools.

Starting in Fall 2025, all of the district’s early learning programs will come together under one roof at the new Washburn Early Learning Center. This is a decision I’m incredibly proud of our board for making. While navigating budget reductions has been challenging, this new space will strengthen our district’s ability to provide high-quality early learning opportunities, setting our youngest learners up for success from the very start.

The cultures and backgrounds of our students should inform the way we teach and the way we learn, and I’m proud that our board has adopted calendars that are more inclusive of the students we serve. We have added Eid, Rosh Hoshana, and Yom Kippur as non-instructional days so that our students don’t have to choose between celebrating their culture or going to school.

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know everything, and as board members it’s important that we participate in as much professional development as we can. I’m proud that our district earned MSBA’s District of Distinction Award, honoring the work we do to better ourselves as we make decisions for the district.

The most difficult decisions I make every year are around our budget reductions. I don’t ever want to cut funding for programs or reallocate resources because we don’t have enough funds, but it’s a reality we face. I approach those conversations and decisions with questions, with a desire for these reductions to make the smallest impact possible on our students and staff, and for us to set the district up for a strong financial foundation.