Why are you running for CCSD Trustee? What is your vision of success for this role? 

Since 2017, I have represented District E on the Clark County School District Attendance Zone Advisory Commission (AZAC) including the last two years as committee chair. With the years of experience that I have acquired serving on this committee and the great working relationship I have built with the School Board throughout the years, I believe now is the right time for me to take on a new opportunity to serve the community of Clark County. As a member of the AZAC committee for the last 7 years, I have built a great working relationship with fellow AZAC members along with the DZG (Demographics, Zoning and Geographic Information System) staff, school administrators as well as the School Board Trustees. While my responsibilities may change, my dedication and commitment that I have put serving on the AZAC committee will carry over if elected to the School Board. I will continue to listen and collaborate with the community and professional staff of Clark County to find common-ground solutions.

How do you define student success? What experience do you have and what role do you intend to play in advocating for student success?

I believe defining student success goes beyond academic grades and should not be defined by an unformal one size fits all standard. It should include the development of social-emotional skills, and active participation in school programs and extracurricular activities. Educators and professional staff should be passionate about cultivating a culture of respect and inclusivity, where all students can thrive.

On the 2022 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), fourth-grade students, in Nevada, scored 6 points lower in math and 7 points lower in reading when compared to 2019. If elected, how can you use your position to ensure Nevada stops following this national trend and starts leading the way for student outcomes?

Improving student outcomes and ensuring a quality education for all Nevada students’ needs to be top priority for CCSD. As a member of the board, I will work to develop and implement policies that support student achievement, including in critical areas in both math and reading. I will also work to ensure that every student has access to the resources and support they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

What, if any, barriers currently exist to educational excellence and equity for every student? If elected to the Board of Trustees, how will you help eliminate these barriers?

Every student deserves the opportunity to achieve their full potential. As a member of the School Board, I will work to eliminate any barriers that prevent students from receiving a quality education. This may include addressing issues such as unequal access to resources, lack of support for students with special needs, and inequities in funding for schools. I am committed to creating a more equitable and just education system for all students.

What do you believe are the top three most persistent challenges facing the CCSD Board of Trustees? What is an example of a bold approach you would propose to address one of those challenges?

Improving student academic outcomes

I am committed to improving student learning outcomes by making sure the board maintains focus on academic achievement and addressing opportunity gaps to ensure all students have access to a high quality education.  I believe that our students are capable of achieving great things, and it is our duty to provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed.

Promoting fiscal responsibility

As your next school board member, I am committed to promoting fiscal responsibility throughout our district. The financial stability and health of our schools is key to providing the best possible education for students. I believe it’s important to effectively manage resources and prioritize spending to ensure that we are making the most of every dollar.

​Transparency & Accountability

I believe that parents and students have a right to know what happens behind the scenes and it’s important for school board members to help keep them informed about district policies and decisions. With clear and transparent communication, we can work together to make sure that each student receives the best possible education.

In January four appointed members were added to the Board of Trustees. How will you leverage the expertise of these appointed members to best serve students? Do you think the appointed members should be voting members? 

I was opposed to AB75 and testified last session against it. The public was overwhelmingly opposed to a Hybrid school board formant. The bill was amended by the sponsor to make the appointed members non-voting as a comprise. One of my objectives is that it allows trustees and candidates to get put on the board after they were rejected by voters.

Research suggests that more than 50% of a board meeting should be focused on student outcomes. How would you ensure the board allocates this amount of time to student outcomes?

This is primarily under the President’s and superintendent’s authority, but individual trustees can request specific agenda items focusing on student outcomes. Board policy does outline how much on the agenda time is set for student outcome.

If elected to the Board, how would you approach challenging conversations and/or criticisms that might arise from fellow Board members, stakeholders, and the broader community?

If elected to the school board, I would prioritize transparency and open communication when approaching challenging conversations and criticisms. I believe in actively seeking out diverse perspectives and engaging in respectful dialogue with all stakeholders. By working collaboratively, we can find a common solution and ensure that our students receive the best education possible.

What key indicators would you use to assess the performance of CCSD’s Superintendent? How would you hold the Superintendent accountable?

At CCSD, we are obligated to set high expectations for our Superintendent and holding them accountable for student achievement. As the leader of our district, the Superintendent must show a proven track record of success in key areas such as graduation rates, student achievement, and teacher development. We must also expect transparent communication and accountability, which is why we regularly review and assess the Superintendent’s performance to ensure we are meeting the needs of our students and the community.

In a recent survey, 77% of Nevada residents agreed that parents should be able to send their children to the public school they feel is best for their child, even if it is outside of their neighborhood. Do you agree? Please explain your reasoning.

For the last 7 years, I served on the Attendance Zone Advisory Committee (AZAC). The purpose of commission was to help relieve overcrowding at existing schools and draw school zones when brand new schools open in the district. Parents right now have the option to apply for a COSA and attend a school outside of their school zone if space is available.

The following question was submitted by a current public high school student: How will you ensure students are put at the forefront of the decision making process as a member of the Board of Trustees, and what accountability measures would you put in place to make sure this happens? 

At the heart of our school board’s decision-making process is a deep commitment to putting students first. We understand that our policies and initiatives have a direct impact on their education and wellbeing, and we take that responsibility seriously. As a board member, I believe that accountability is key to ensuring that we maintain this focus. I would work to establish clear accountability measures, such as regular check-ins with student representatives and open forums for feedback and discussion.