Conestoga School Board

My motivation for running for a second term on the Conestoga School Board is simple: I want to continue helping our schools and community thrive as education evolves and new challenges and opportunities arise.

Serving on the board has given me the opportunity to contribute to the future of our district, and I believe there is still important work to be done. I want to continue working to ensure that we provide an education that our students, staff, families, and community can be proud of.

I grew up in a small community like ours, where people understood the importance of getting involved and taking responsibility for the success of their schools. I believe that same commitment is essential to keeping Conestoga strong and moving forward. I am running for a second term because I care about our students, value our community, and want to continue being part of the work that helps our schools grow and succeed for years to come.

My involvement with Conestoga extends beyond serving on the school board. Over the years, I have volunteered in a variety of roles to support our school and community, from coaching youth sports to helping students explore career opportunities in cybersecurity.

During my first four years on the school board, I have been involved in important decisions that will shape the future of our district. This includes helping secure passage of our school bond, overseeing the progress of our construction projects, working through personnel matters, maintaining responsible oversight of our budget and expenses, and keeping student safety a priority. Through this experience, I have gained a much deeper understanding of school board governance, policies, finances, and the challenges that come with making decisions that affect our students, staff, and community. I look forward to continuing to learn, contribute, and share my experience as we move forward.

One of the initiatives I am especially proud of is implementing and coaching the CyberPatriot program at Conestoga, which introduces students to the growing field of cybersecurity. What began with a goal of reaching the state competition in our first year has grown into a successful program, with our teams advancing to the national semifinals in three of the past five years. I am incredibly proud of these students and their accomplishments, as well as the opportunities the program provides to explore technology and potential career paths.

I believe supporting Conestoga means more than attending meetings or making decisions around the board table. It means investing time in our students, supporting our staff, planning responsibly for the future, and stepping up when our school and community need it. Whether through coaching, mentoring, technology initiatives, facility planning, or school board service, I have worked to contribute in meaningful ways to help Conestoga grow and succeed.

You can learn more about the CyberPatriot program at www.uscyberpatriot.org.

With the completion of our bond construction projects, one of my biggest priorities moving forward will be making the most of the new spaces and opportunities we have created for Conestoga. Passing the bond and completing construction were important steps, but the next step is ensuring that these investments translate into meaningful benefits for our students. I want to focus on how we can best utilize our new facilities to expand course offerings, bring in additional teachers where needed, and provide students with more opportunities to learn, explore their interests, and prepare for life after graduation.

As education continues to evolve, we need to be thoughtful about how we use our resources to meet the changing needs of our students. I would like to see us explore additional programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as well as career and technical education opportunities that prepare students for in-demand careers. Programs such as agricultural technology and cybersecurity are examples of areas where we can connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities, particularly in fields that are important to our local economy.

I also want to ensure we take full advantage of available state and federal grants, partnerships, and other funding opportunities to help support these programs and minimize the financial burden on our district. By planning carefully, evaluating our needs, and making responsible decisions about staffing and resources, we can maximize the value of our new facilities without losing sight of our budget responsibilities.

Ultimately, my goal is to build on the investment our community has made in Conestoga. We have worked hard to provide our district with the facilities it needs, and now I want to focus on making sure we use those spaces effectively to expand educational opportunities, support our teachers, and give our students the tools and experiences they need to succeed in the future.