Survey and Interview Responses

Why are you running for this office?

I have four children, two of whom attend school in Kuna and one that will be there soon. I want to help guide our education system in providing effective education strategies. I also want parents to have a say in the decisions that are made for their children.

What are your qualifications?

I am an effective communicator. I am willing to work with all stakeholders to promote a great education system.

If elected, what are your goals?

My foremost goal would be to promote parents’ rights over their children’s education.

What experience do you have serving on boards, commissions, non-profits, etc. where you have been of service to others?

I was on the board of directors of a non-profit organization in New York City for five years. I am also currently on the board of directors at the church we attend in Nampa.

Do you consider yourself fiscally conservative?

Absolutely. Not only in my personal life, but I also believe the government should be as fiscally conservative as possible.

Do you consider yourself socially conservative?

Absolutely. I am as socially conservative as you can get. I believe in traditional Christian values.

You stated you were on a Board of Director for five years with a non-profit organization in New York City. How will the skills you developed while in that role help you in the role of School Board Trustee?

I’ve learned to communicate effectively on critical issues, engaging in hard conversations and seeking consensus. This is very important when dealing with different viewpoints. I was responsible for the bookkeeping of the organization. This allowed me to see the struggles of ensuring a balanced budget, which will be beneficial addressing these types of issues in the school system.

As a result of you having two of your own children in the school system, what are some areas of improvement that could be made?

Having my children in school has allowed me to see how the system currently operates. Going forward, I want to help the school system be more efficient in how it operates, focusing on graduating kids with a strong education that includes the fundamental to be successful adults.

What do you mean when you say that parents should be the primary decision maker when it comes to their children’s education?

Parents should be the ultimate decision-makers regarding their children’s exposure to various influences. Those with differing values should involve parents in these decisions, allowing them to choose their children’s education and to work with educators to determine the best course of action for their children.

What are the primary challenges and priorities for this office?

The biggest challenge is today’s environment is the inability of diametrically opposed individuals to communicate civilly and find common ground within society.

Why did you decide to run for school trustee, and what personal experiences have shaped your views on education?

I am committed to improving education in a state that lags behind others. I aim to empower parents and teachers, giving them a voice to work collaboratively to find solutions that benefit each child’s individual educational journey.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges our schools face, and how would you address them?

Because of Kuna’s growth, we’re challenged to keep pace in building an infrastructure to sustain that growth. I want to meet with stakeholders to build a consensus around this going forward.

What is your stance on promoting diversity and inclusion within the curriculum and school activities?

Based on what the Idaho state legislature has passed, I’d do my best to support what their decisions are and implement them in the school district. My role is to enforce current policies, not be an activist of my personal beliefs

How do you plan to work with local, state, and federal officials to improve our education system?

I will build as much consensus with as many stakeholders as possible, developing a system that works with everyone to further the state’s legislation. I will work closely with our Kuna City leadership and other officials to promote the best interest of our Kuna students.

What measures do you think are necessary to ensure the safety of students and staff?

I support armed SROs involvement in the schools to ensure our children’s physical safety and to make sure systems are in place so all of our facilities are not soft targets. I’m for allowing teachers who are willing to obtain the right training and proficiency to carry a gun.