I’m running for the Allendale Board of Education because I care deeply about our schools and the direction we’re heading. For more than four years, I’ve attended every Board of Education meeting, served as a parent member on school leadership teams, volunteered throughout the district, and worked to help our community better understand what’s happening at the board level. I believe being elected to the board comes with a responsibility to keep learning. Board members should ask questions, listen to our community, understand the information in front of them, and seek out the experience and expertise of the people doing the work every day. We shouldn’t make decisions based simply on assumptions or because something is recommended to us. We should understand the why behind those decisions and be able to explain that to our community. At the center of all of this are our students. Every student is different. They have different strengths, challenges, backgrounds, interests, and ways of learning. I want APS to be a place where every student belongs, is supported and challenged, and has the opportunity to succeed. And success shouldn’t just mean getting a diploma. We should be preparing our kids for what comes after, whether that’s college a skilled trade the workforce military service or another path entirely. I want them leaving APS with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and resilience to keep learning throughout their lives. I’m running because I believe APS can be better, and I believe our Board of Education has an important role in making that happen. I want a board that does more than hear presentations and vote on recommendations. I want us asking good questions, digging into the information, listening to the people affected by our decisions, and continuing to educate ourselves about the work we were elected to do. We should recognize what’s working, be willing to challenge what isn’t, and make thoughtful decisions about where APS goes next.
I believe our Board of Education needs to make its own education and professional development a priority again. Being elected to a school board doesn’t automatically teach someone how to effectively govern a school district. Board members should continually learn about school finance, policy, student achievement, superintendent evaluation, school law, strategic planning, and the responsibilities that come with overseeing a public school district. APS once recognized and celebrated board members for their commitment to professional learning. More recently, our board voted not to renew the district’s membership in the Michigan Association of School Boards, an organization the district used in part for board professional development. Whatever disagreements individual board members may have with an organization, I don’t believe continuing education should become a casualty of those disagreements. Learning also means listening. Our community should have meaningful opportunities to understand what the board is considering, ask questions, share their experiences and concerns, and have their voices considered before important decisions are made. Community input won’t always lead to agreement, but it can help the board ask better questions, identify things it may have missed, and make better-informed decisions. The board also has a responsibility to clearly explain how and why those decisions were made. Good governance also means being a responsible steward of the resources our community provides. Families are dealing with rising costs, while APS faces real needs involving facilities, staffing, and the future of our district. The board should understand the financial information in front of it, ask about alternatives and tradeoffs, plan beyond the next budget year, and make sure our resources are being used effectively. When we ask taxpayers to invest more, we owe them a clear explanation of why, what alternatives were considered, what it will cost them, and what that investment is expected to accomplish. If elected, I will actively seek out training, listen to our community, learn from experts and other successful districts, ask meaningful questions, and continue building my understanding of the issues I’m responsible for deciding. I believe a board can be engaged and hold the district accountable without trying to manage its day-to-day operations. We expect our teachers, administrators, staff, and students to keep learning and improving. We should expect the same from the people elected to govern our schools.
Every student who walks through the doors of APS is different. They bring different strengths, challenges, backgrounds, interests, experiences, and ways of learning. I believe our schools have a responsibility to recognize those differences and make sure every student has the opportunity to succeed. That means strong academics, but it also means paying attention to the whole student. Mental health, a sense of belonging, behavior, relationships, and the right academic supports all affect a student’s ability to learn. I support continuing to strengthen APS’s MTSS, PBIS, and intervention systems so our educators and support teams can identify what students need, provide support early, and use data to understand whether those supports are working. I also believe student, family, educator, and staff perspectives are important when the district evaluates how well these systems are working. The board’s role is not to manage these programs day to day, but to understand the results, ask meaningful questions, establish clear expectations, and make sure the superintendent has the direction and resources needed to continue improving outcomes for students. Every student should know there is a place for them at APS, that they matter, and that we expect them to succeed.
Our responsibility to students doesn’t end when they receive a diploma. APS should prepare students with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and experiences they need for whatever path comes next. Strong academics are the foundation students can grow from, with STEM programs, fine arts, athletics, industrial arts, and extracurriculars all playing a vital role in a student’s educational journey. These opportunities help students discover their interests, develop new skills, build confidence, and find where they can thrive. Just as our students continue to grow, the opportunities we provide them should grow too. Giving every student the chance to explore their interests, discover their strengths, and find their own path to success. Our teachers and staff are essential to making that happen. They work with our students every day and bring professional knowledge and firsthand experience that should help inform decisions about instruction, curriculum, student supports, and new opportunities. Listening to that expertise doesn’t take away the board’s responsibility to govern, it helps the board make better-informed decisions. Ultimately, I want students to leave APS prepared not just for their next step, but with the ability and confidence to keep learning, adapting, and growing throughout their lives.
Have questions or suggestions? I would love to hear from you!
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