Four years of board experience has sharpened — not shifted — my core commitments. Here’s where I’m focused heading into a second term.

Literacy — Getting Kids Reading

Too many students in SJUSD are not reading at grade level. The research is clear: the Science of Reading — phonics-based, structured, evidence-driven instruction — is how children learn to read.

Shifting instructional practice across a large district takes time. It requires building consensus among colleagues, administrators, and the educators who are in classrooms every day. I’ve spent the past three years doing exactly that work — listening, learning, and bringing people to the table. That groundwork is laid. A second term is where it pays off.

I will continue to be a vocal advocate for evidence-based literacy instruction and for giving teachers the tools, training, and support they need to deliver it. This isn’t about pointing fingers — it’s about making sure every child in SJUSD learns to read.

Parental Rights and Transparency

Parents are not a problem to be managed — they are the people this district exists to serve.

I will continue to create more opportunities for families to weigh in on curriculum, policy, and district decisions. I’ll push for plain-language communication, clear procedures, and a board that listens when concerns are raised. You deserve to know what’s being taught, how your tax dollars are spent, and who to call when something isn’t right. 

Safe, Focused Schools

Students can’t learn in environments that feel unsafe or chaotic. I’ve already helped pass a cell phone policy and an e-bike ban to reduce distractions and keep campuses safer.

I’ll continue to call for site-by-site safety plan reviews, stronger coordination with local law enforcement, and a school culture that holds students accountable — while still treating them with dignity.

Supporting Every Student

SJUSD serves students who speak dozens of languages and come from every corner of the world and bring a wide range of learning needs into our classrooms. That’s a strength — and a responsibility.

During the 2023–24 school year, our district saw a significant influx of Afghan and Ukrainian refugee students. I fought to ensure those kids received real support — language services, welcoming transitions, and a genuine investment in their success. I’ll keep advocating for newcomer families and multilingual learners at every grade level.

Students with disabilities deserve that same commitment. SJUSD has made real progress in special education — shifting from an adversarial posture to a genuine partnership with families, launching a co-teaching pilot, and expanding resources for parents navigating the IEP process. I’ve been proud to be part of that work, and I’m committed to seeing it continue. Every student in this district, regardless of how they learn or where they come from, deserves a path to success.

Fiscal Responsibility & Wise Investments

The world our students are entering looks nothing like the one we planned for five years ago. AI is reshaping every industry, every career path, and every classroom. SJUSD needs to meet that moment — not with buzzwords, but with smart, targeted investments in the skills and tools that will actually matter for our kids.

That means being honest about what’s working and what isn’t, and having the discipline to redirect dollars toward highest-impact solutions. Declining enrollment means we have to make harder choices. I’d rather make them deliberately — investing in literacy, technology readiness, and the programs that move the needle — than spread resources thin across everything and excel at nothing.

Every dollar we spend should answer one question: does this give our students a better shot at the future they deserve?