What inspired you to run for office?
When I originally ran six years ago, I was inspired to serve the entire district community after my service on the Coppell ISD Education Foundation Board which sparked my desire to serve all of CISD in a deeper way. Adding on to that, the very different experiences my four sons had as students. You can imagine that with many kids, their academic abilities and interests were varied (GT, on level, learning differences, motivated by grades, not motivated by grades, etc.) and so were their activities which included band, choir, football and wrestling. The common theme was how essential it was that they each found their place to thrive and pursue their passions. I deeply want that for all CISD students. Doing what I can to help ensure that is possible was the second reason I wanted to serve. Those desires have only deepened during my time on the board.
What experiences prepared you for this role?
I believe I add real value to the district with the challenges public education is currently facing. I am a strategic thinker, problem solver, calculated risk taker and I have a strong desire to help CISD remain a destination district. My professional business experiences have been an additional asset when analyzing situations and issues. The depth and variety of my involvement before becoming a trustee, the broad relationships I’ve developed to represent our community’s interests and values and my experience over the past six years – from governance, legislative and operational perspectives – are the experiences I bring to benefit the residents of the district.
What do you think are the biggest issues currently facing Coppell ISD?
The current budget constraints and future finances, the legislature and legislative mandates, staff retention, along with student readiness and academic growth are the most important issues that our district faces.
What are your plans to address these concerns?
The most pressing issue to resolve relates to the financial situation. Our school district and Board are in the midst of navigating our current budget challenges. We are looking through a lens that extends into the 2025-26 academic year because that is the soonest public education funding could change, barring an effective special session with bills that allocate the billions that have been set aside for public education in Texas.
I believe we should continue the process we have begun, which includes deciding what our priorities are, evaluating alternative sources of revenue, seeking community input and engagement, determining what has previously made us a destination school district, committing funds to invest in those distinguishers and reducing expenses in areas that are strategic and sustainable. Under the current funding, districts with creative solutions to the challenges we face will be the most effective.
How would you describe CISD to a stranger?
I would describe CISD as a community – passionate teachers, talented students and engaged parents – that places a high value on public education, academic choices and outstanding extracurricular options. We are a place where knowing each student as an individual and helping students succeed matters deeply. We are small enough that you may bump into your teacher at the grocery store and just big enough that we can provide countless opportunities for kids while still engaging our community in a meaningful way.
