Why are you the best candidate for office?
I have 23 years experience as a teacher and school administrator. This experience provides me with a background in curriculum, instruction, operations and school finance that will be invaluable to this position. As an administrator, I’ve had to prepare and present many recommendations to the school board and know that this experience has prepared me to make well-informed decisions as a board member.
What is the most pressing issue facing Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation?
Ten months ago, I would have said that plans for managing future growth is the most pressing issue. Now, I think that the most pressing issue is the strain and fatigue associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our students and staff have done a remarkable job, but I think that many of them are running on fumes at this point. I anticipate that some COVID-19 changes will become permanent, but planning and establishing the new normal and continuing to provide a high level of support for all students is the most pressing issue.
How can Mt. Vernon responsibly handle the growth it’s expected to experience over the next decade?
The groundwork has already been put in place by the MV Community Champions initiative and the 10 Year Future Growth Plan that the school board approved. Now that this plan has been created it needs to continually be evaluated against real-time enrollment numbers and updated projections. Any construction that takes place also needs to be designed with the flexibility of continued growth.
What would you do as a board member to help ensure the financial soundness of the school corporation?
It’s important to know and understand all of the different funding sources and budget categories for the school corporation. As a school administrator, I had to make difficult financial decisions. It is imperative that we focus our financial decisions on the impact that they have on student learning. It’s also important as a school board member to maintain a focus on the future. We need to make sure that our future expected revenue can support the sustainability of current decisions.
How do you feel Mt. Vernon has handled the COVID-19 pandemic? Do you feel like it should have done/be doing anything differently?
I have been very impressed with how the COVID-19 pandemic has been handled. Providing a safe learning environment is the number one priority, and I think that needs to be the primary lens that people view this through. This situation has also been a challenge to reflect on because you always have to keep in mind that decisions had to be made based on what was known at the time of those decisions. What we know today and how it impacts decisions is much different than what was known in March.
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Age: 46
Office sought: Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees
Occupation: Teacher, Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility
Political experience: None
Family: Wife Allison, four children
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