Why are you running?

Where it all starts:​

• I am running because I want every child to be academically challenged and to succeed. I believe that one of the best ways to achieve equitable outcomes in our schools is to let teachers teach. It is just common sense.

​

• I am running because I was that student in advanced placement classes, looking for any of my friends or any other kids who looked like me, and feeling out of place. This is an issue that persists today. Studies have shown that Madison os the worst city in the entire country for racial disparities in academic outcomes. But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

​

• I am running because my children and I love their public school. The leadership trusts and respects teachers, and that sets the tone for the whole school. Supportive staff members are brought in to maximize direct service to the students. They are hired from the surrounding community and play an essential role in student outcomes.

​​

• I am running because I know parents want to do whatever they can to help their children be successful students. I am that single mother who was working two jobs, while trying to find transportation for my younger ones to get to their part-day 4K program across town. We know that early investment in our children will pay off in the long run. This is one reason why I champion all-day 4K.  I know what a difference it can make in our children’s lives.
  
  
• I am running because our district needs a common-sense approach. This is the way I approach my home and my work life. I look at budgets to achieve the best cost effectiveness for the resources. 
  • Part of my job is to lead teams in carefully analyzing policies and procedures (a “Six Sigma” process) to streamline and make the most out of the available resources. 
  • In my career I have had the responsibility of securing outside funding for a non-profit; I specialized in areas of transparency and accountability, which included data analysis and auditing for grants and programs, internally and externally. ​
  • When decisions are made that the public perceives as not having common sense, it has a negative impact on trust. If there are good reasons for controversial decisions, greater communication is important to retain and build on public trust.