FUNDING

Great challenges come with D70 being the lowest funded district in the state. I believe board members need to be an active part of creating the budget and deciding where the money is spent. I think it is important to continually lobby for funding. We must be a presence in the face of the state legislative body. We cannot sit back and blindly accept what is doled out to us when in fact it is not equal. I will continue to work on this with the Superintendent, CFO, and Government and Community Affairs Director. Transparency and accountability are crucial.

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CURRICULUM

While the core subjects of English, Math, Science and Social Studies should be the main focus, it is important to build the vocational education programs and the arts programs. We must meet the needs of students who are focused on higher education as well as those who will be entering the workforce after graduation. Curriculum should connect across all grade levels and subject areas with the goal that all students can be successful.

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PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

As an executive of the Pueblo County Education Association, I worked to ensure that the classroom was a successful and safe place for students and staff. As a teacher, I understand the need for teachers to have representation. District 70 has always had an exceptional relationship of collaboration between the association and the administration. It was an honor to be able to negotiate on behalf of the teachers and education support staff and to work towards the common goal of what’s best for the students.

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CRITICAL RACE THEORY

District 70 teaches the Colorado State Standards of which Critical Race Theory is not a part. CRT is predominantly taught in higher education classes and law schools. Teaching our students to be accepting and respectful of all people should be a focus in all classrooms, all ages. We need to be a unified country, unified world and diversity should be honored.

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MASK MANDATE

We have realized with everyone’s valiant effort, that in-person learning is best for the majority of students. Masks means we are able to limit the number of quarantines and keep more students in school. We trust in officials to create parameters and we comply with the Public Health Dept. just as we comply with law enforcement to keep us safe. Personally, I am not a fan of wearing masks but I will do what it takes to keep kids in school and hopefully it will end soon.

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MENTAL HEALTH

Now more than ever it will be important to be cognizant of the mental health issues students are facing. During the last year students had to endure a variety of learning styles such as remote, hybrid, and in-person. With all these changes, mental health issues have come to the forefront. I would like to see more counselors and mental health workers in our schools. We cannot let these issues slip between the cracks; we must be diligent and forthcoming in order for our students to be successful.

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