Questions & Answers

Why are you running for the Nebraska State Board of Education?

I care deeply about students and parents. The Nebraska Department of Education should work for the people it serves, not feel inaccessible or overly complex. My goal is to help ensure the system remains focused on student outcomes and responsive to families.

What is the role of the State Board of Education?

The Board’s role is oversight, not day-to-day management. The Board sets standards, listens to stakeholders, and makes recommendations that improve education statewide while respecting local control.

What are the biggest challenges facing Nebraska schools today?

Too often, students are pushed through the system without fully reaching their potential. Nebraska should focus on helping each student get the most out of their education so they can become productive members of their communities.

How will you represent parents’ voices?

Parents deserve to be heard. I support an open-door approach — listening to concerns, answering questions, and helping families navigate the system. The Board exists to serve students and parents, not to be closed off from them.

How should Nebraska respond to declining test scores?

Before solutions are proposed, we must understand root causes. Once problems are clearly identified, thoughtful, evidence-based solutions can be implemented. Guesswork does not serve students well.

What is your approach to special education?

Special education is individualized by design. Each student deserves the opportunity to reach their potential, with meaningful parent input and well-informed IEP teams applying standards consistently. School districts manage daily operations; the State Board ensures minimum standards and accountability.

How do you balance local control with state oversight?

Local school districts manage day-to-day operations. The State Board’s responsibility is to ensure statewide standards are met and students’ rights are protected, not to micromanage classrooms.

Do parents have a right to curriculum transparency?

Yes. Parents have the right to know what their children are being taught — and what they are not being taught. Transparency builds trust and strengthens partnerships between families and schools.

How should schools handle social issues?

Schools exist to educate students and prepare them for success. While social issues can be broad and complex, the focus in schools should remain on education and student achievement.

Do you support standardized testing?

Yes. Testing is a useful tool when used appropriately. It should inform instruction, not define students. Children are individuals, not one-size-fits-all data points.

How will you work with other Board members when disagreements arise?

Disagreements are a normal and healthy part of governance. I respect the perspectives of other Board members, even when we disagree, and believe thoughtful discussion leads to better decisions.

How will you remain accessible and transparent?

I welcome emails and phone calls from parents and community members. If I don’t have an immediate answer, I will help connect people to the appropriate resources. Transparency begins with responsiveness.

What if you disagree with other officials or policies?

In any governing body there will be agreement and disagreement. I approach issues independently and thoughtfully. If there’s a specific policy or issue, I’m happy to address it directly.

What would you do differently than the current Board?

Every Board member brings their own approach to service. For me, that means being accessible to families and listening carefully so decisions reflect real-world impacts on students.