Recognizing and supporting teachers is vital. I will advocate for competitive salaries, professional development opportunities and a positive working environment to attract and retain high-quality educators. Teachers should not rely on donations in order to fund the materials necessary to successfully teach their students. I will ensure that all teachers are allocated sufficient funds to successfully support all learning and instruction in their classrooms, as well as facilitate working with their school’s School Site Council to ensure their classroom needs are met.

Minimizing administrative waste and ensuring efficient use of financial resources is critical. This involves proper budget management and reducing unnecessary administrative overhead, allowing more funds to be directed towards education. We have seen a sharp increase in administrative overhead and in-house promotions/salary increases within GUSD, while teachers and classified workers continue to wait for adequate cost of living raises and compensation. I will implement a thorough accounting of the District’s spending. Proper funding for classrooms and teachers should be the top priority.

Respecting and upholding parental rights is critical. The District must involve parental concerns and input regarding curriculum and student development. Far too often we have seen parental concerns disregarded by incumbent members of this District. I will work to restore the lost trust between the District and parents and work towards building a strong partnership between schools, teachers, parents and the community. This in turn will foster a supportive learning environment for all students, ultimately benefiting their educational experience and performance.

School boards should prioritize transparency in decision-making and communication with parents. This includes providing access to information about school policies, curriculum, and student progress and development, as well as seeking parental input and feedback. Parents are the primary stakeholders in their children’s well-being and education. As a public entity, GUSD is obligated by state and local government laws to be transparent. I will require proper training to ensure that GUSD admin and staff understand and will be held to this standard of transparency and accountability.

If a child does not feel physically safe, that child is likely unable to focus on learning. With today’s increase in crime, schools are a vulnerable target and we cannot afford to wait for a tragedy to occur before taking action. I will work to implement and oversee policies and practices related to emergency preparedness, crisis management, and the prevention of harassment and violence. Our schools need more Student Resource Officers (SROs) and security guards, as well as additional physical security measures such as secure entry systems, sophisticated surveillance cameras, and an increased collaboration with local law enforcement. Currently, elementary schools with dismissals taking place on main/busy streets do not have adequate security guards or security measures, and such responsibilities cannot be passed off to teachers or volunteers. Traffic control safety and procedures must be reevaluated and various schools. GUSD needs proper security measures and protocols in place to protect students and staff.