Our Kids are our Future! They Deserve the Best!
Douglas County is a great place to live and we have a fine school system with great teachers and administration. But there is room for improvement. I want to use my extensive experience to help DCSD regain the status as the best school district in the State of Nevada and give all of our students an opportunity to develop into responsible, capable adults with the skills necessary to achieve their dreams.
Over the past 10 years, academic scores at Douglas have steadily declined. According to the State of Nevada Accountability Portal, only 26% of our 11th graders are proficient in Math and only 46% are proficient in English. And there are four high schools in Reno that are the same size as Douglas High that score higher in Math, English and college readiness.
I believe all members of the community want the same end goals, namely safe schools, quality curriculum, parent involvement and a wide variety of academic, trade school and athletic options that make children want to go to school. I will be a moderating force, bringing balance and respectful dialogue to the Board.
We can make Douglas County the #1 school system in Nevada with leadership from the Board of Trustees, working with our superintendent and our school principals.
My Platform
Here are my goals as a DCSD Trustee:
- Clearly outline a safe school policy and direct the Superintendent and all administrators to enforce the policy.
- zero tolerance for violence, bullying or fighting.
- No drugs or vaping on campus or on school grounds.
- No inappropriate sexual behavior on the campus…..period
- No boys in girl’s bathrooms or girl’s locker rooms. Protect Girl’s sports.
2. Reverse the decline in Math and English Test scores.
- Require the Superintendent to Implement a task force of teachers, administrators and parents to review the curriculum and State test requirements to identify the root cause of declining test scores. Then implement remedial action.
- Reinstate a curriculum for gifted students allowing them to gain college credit and graduate in three years.
- Implement a financial literacy curriculum for 11th and 12th graders – so they learn how to manage money, manage debt, get a loan, buy a car or house and learn skills about investing in their financial future.
- Address the Absentee issue. Douglas High has an abnormally high absentee rate of 30%. Why don’t kids want to attend school? I will find out why and bring solutions.
- Bring back the DARE program to educate our kids about drugs
- Build a vibrant parents organization – More parent volunteers and more parent participation
Why I Am Running
I was raised to have good values and to have attainable goals. Our children and teens deserve to have the best life and education that is possible so that they can have good and strong values and reachable goals.
I believe that my experience and demeanor will be valuable to the Board in order to bring the community together so we can focus on shared goals.
School can and should be interesting and important to students. It is my goal to ensure that DCSD is a rewarding and enriching experience for all children, on which prepares them for life after school.