Q
Did u realize the 834 school symbol you’ve got is 834 owned and not for anyone to simply use (copyright), thus pops up concerns for your understanding of rules, guidelines and district basics. Also given your starting a new job don’t understand the hours committed to board work? Have you reached out to any current board members to get the learning curve and hours to commit to actually do it well (not just show up a couple times a month)?
A
Thank you for asking me a question and showing your dedication to the district!! I love the enthusiasm for our community coming together over things we care about. I did use the logo and have since deleted it. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
I have researched the requirements for this position and am very capable. I appreciate your feedback and look forward to working hard with you on your concerns for the district.
Q
As both a parent and a pediatric psychologist, one area I hope our district continues to protect is the healthy secondary school start times that were implemented last year. This decision was based on decades of high-quality research showing that later start times for adolescents improve sleep, mental health, attendance, learning, and even safety.
I also recognize that changes like this can create real logistical challenges for some families, particularly during the transition. Those experiences matter and should absolutely be part of ongoing conversations. At the same time, I hope we allow enough time to thoughtfully collect local data before considering changes. We’ve only had one year with the new schedule, and meaningful evaluation takes time.
We are living through an unprecedented youth mental health crisis, and sleep is one of the strongest protective factors we can influence at a population level. While no single change solves every challenge our students face, healthy school start times are one of the few evidence-based interventions shown to improve well-being for an entire student population. Given the strength of that evidence, I hope we continue to protect this change while carefully evaluating its impact over the next several years.
I also want to echo my appreciation for our teachers, staff, and administrators, who work tirelessly on behalf of our students every day. My hope is that we continue making decisions grounded in science while keeping the mental health and well-being of our students at the center of every conversation.
I want to know your stance on the school start times that were changed last year and if elected if you would work to maintain/protect this change or would you vote to return to previous school start times?
A
Thank you for contacting me about this! I, too, studied child psychology in school, the studies and the developmental needs for children, though not as much as you! It is of my own personal opinion that the time change was put forth correctly and with good intentions for our students. I, personally believe that the new start times, in terms of student's health was not a bad decision and was for it. The implementation of that decision, I feel is what has upset many people.
I, also, agree that it does take a while to see real change and for us to assess the impact this decision has made on our constituents. While it has been interesting for all of us to adjust, I understand that the full 3 years is needed for us to fully comprehend the decisions that need to be made going forward.
However, if elected I am working for the constituents in my district. My job is collecting and relaying the information they are giving me, to work with the district in order to oversee, approve and provide the best path forward. It would not be my decision alone, it would be the board members collectively coming together full of knowledge and understanding, as well as community voices to decide. I have no individual power; the board together has the voice.
If the community can come together and work with the district to find better solutions for a few of the current problems I am hearing, I am all for keeping the time change. I hope this helped answer your question and would be happy to chat at any time. Although I am not currently a board member, it is fantastic to hear voices like yours.
Also, saying all that, I truly appreciate the current board members, the knowledge, understanding and communication they need to perform their duties is amazing. They have worked hard and are making tough decisions.