I’m running again for 2 reasons: 1) I'm leading reform the School Board’s financial oversight. School finance is complex and robust oversight requires more than the forum of a committee. This work will take time to complete, I believe I understand what needs to be done, and I’d like to see meaningful reform through. 2) This is shaping up to be a year of disruption, where the systems we rely on to support our neediest students may be ripped up root and branch, while other students feel devalued, threatened and even fearful. It breaks my heart that the work we’ve done to help make all students feel safe and supported is threatened. I’ve had experience helping the district get through many challenges, and I believe my experience will be essential in the coming years

2025 Monona Grove School Board Election

Sunday, February 16, 2025

WSJ Questionnaire

The Wisconsin State Journal's questions for candidates can be found here.

My Answers are here:

How do you propose to rebuild trust after last year's budget crisis?

Transparency is key. As chair of the board’s new Finance and Operations Committee, I’m working to implement reforms: a public forum dedicated to more detailed monthly and quarterly finance reports; recruiting of financial experts from the community to participate in the process; establishing trusted relationships and reporting from multiple staff levels to ensure the board has a complete picture. 

Assuming little or no increase in state aid, what would you cut in the next budget?

Funding does not keep up with inflation, so districts have to find savings every year. Rather than cutting, I’ve focused on finding efficiencies that don’t impact classrooms. I have led efforts that are saving the district hundreds of thousands in utility costs each year. Next, I hope we can renegotiate our health insurance in a way that saves money but leaves staff satisfied with the options. 

Are Monona and Cottage Grove being equally served by the district?

Only by focusing on equitably addressing the needs of the children of the district can we effectively serve the district as a whole. In my time on the board, I have never seen any decision that considered one community over another. Doing otherwise would be destructive to the District’s educational mission and undermine our communities.


There is so much more to be said on these issues, unfortunately they ask us to keep it to 100 words!


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