(Source: emailed from candidate)
Why are you running for School Board?To ensure our students are getting the best education possible. Delaware is one of the leaders in spending per student in the country but our test scores in core subjects do not reflect our spending. Delaware DOE needs to give more control back to local school boards in order to reach higher standards. If elected, I would like to see more community involvement (teachers, students, community members) at school board meetings. I want the community to feel empowered to speak about their concerns and community accomplishments. I would also like to make sure our student code of conduct is followed and disciplinary actions are consistent throughout the district. Finally, we need to make sure the district remains transparent in all financial matters.
What personal connections do you have to your local school district and community?
I have been a member of the Georgetown/Millsboro community for 15 years. My wife was born and raised in Georgetown. Our 3 children currently attend district schools. We have a senior and a sophomore at Sussex Central and a first grader at East Millsboro Elementary. I previously served on the IRSD School Board in 2020-2021. I have coached girls basketball in the district for past 5 years (Georgetown Middle & Sussex Central). I have volunteered with the Georgetown Little League for over a decade. I served on the Board of Trustees at Wesley United Methodist Church. I have chaperoned countless district field trips over the past 13 years.
How should district policy balance student privacy against parental rights?
There should not be a balance. Parental rights should supersede any district policy as it pertains to their children. Parents should be raising their children not policies generated by the school district. If a child is in danger, school personnel have a duty to report, not necessarily to investigate themselves. Our children deserve to be safe, and we as parents need to be kept in the know.
What should be the district’s approach to overseeing curriculum, reading material, and lesson planning in the classrooms?
The curriculum is strongly controlled by the DOE. This is an ideal situation for a subcommittee of parents and community members to come together to review and weigh in on the material. I think as a school board it is important for board members to be present during curriculum meetings, from experience that is not always the case. I think it is important to ensure our social studies / history classes are giving accurate depictions of events. The board must rely on the experts in curriculum development and lesson planning. The board has the responsibility to ask questions of these experts and strike up conversations that can lead to more common sense solutions to these topics.
How well do you feel that your district currently serves students who are gifted, learning disabled, or who have other special needs? What policies does your district follow that should be improved, or adopted more widely?
It is evident by our test results that we are under serving our entire student population. We do offer a multitude of Advanced Placement classes and participate in the International Baccalaureate program for our gifted high school students. Our Spanish Immersion program has proven to be a good addition to our district offerings. Admittedly i am not well versed in the areas of students with special needs or learning disabilities. However, I have spoken to parents who say this area is difficult to navigate and find the necessary services. I believe our staff does as best as they can do considering all the challenges they face Our district should strive to make sure all students needs are met.
