I’m committed to providing an academically challenging education to every student.

As a school board member, I do my homework, ask key questions and consider all viewpoints before making sound, fiscally responsible decisions. Our district is headed in a positive direction. We’ve all worked hard to develop a strategic plan, pass a referendum, hire an outstanding superintendent, and streamline our facilities to save $2 million every year. Our district is now well-positioned to face new challenges, put old problems behind us and move forward to ensure the success of every student who walks through our doors.

Educational excellence depends upon providing engaging and challenging programs that accelerate achievement for every student at every academic level. The goal for each student is to achieve a minimum of one year of academic growth for every year in school and significantly more for students below grade level. This year teachers will have the tools and training to monitor each student’s academic growth in multiple areas and to develop instructional plans that pinpoint individual needs. We must continue to cultivate successful ongoing strategies to reduce the achievement gap including math and reading specialists, early childhood education, and extended instructional time. Achievement data should be used to identify which educational programs get the best results and then focus our valuable resources on those programs.

The increased mobility rate, (21% of students arrive new to our district every year), presents a major challenge for both students and staff. Success for these students requires additional support to acclimate to their new classroom, evaluate their academic skills and develop an academic plan. It is important to welcome all families into our schools as partners in education and provide them with opportunities to support their children’s success in school.

Our district has so much to be proud of, but we can’t stop here. Our commitment to excellence requires expanded efforts to connect with families, staff and our community and increase two-way communication, transparency and accountability. It is important to ask people’s opinions, find out what information they want from the district and how they want to receive it. We need to establish measurable goals, monitor ongoing progress and report the results to our community. I am committed to encouraging innovative approaches and seeking new opportunities for partnerships. With your vote, I will continue to use my knowledge, leadership and integrity to ensure the excellence of Robbinsdale Area Schools.