Proven Leadership. Fiscal Responsibility. Every Student Matters.
Serving on the Claremont Unified School District Board has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Over the past four years, I have worked alongside my fellow trustees, educators, staff, and families to strengthen schools, protect essential programs, improve our district's financial position, and make thoughtful decisions that put students first.
I'm running for reelection to continue building on that record.
My experiences as a community newspaper editor, parent and active resident have provided me the great opportunity to reach out, listen to differing viewpoints, understand, connect and build. My work is grounded in fairness and making room for expression of viewpoints from people of all backgrounds.
Despite significant challenges from declining enrollment and budget pressures to growing student needs, the district has made meaningful progress. Student achievement scores are rising and attendance rates have reached 96% district-wide.
There is only one open seat in Trustee Area 1, and as the incumbent, your vote for another candidate directly impacts my re-election to the board. I have demonstrated my commitment to this community and believe school boards succeed when its members bring different professional and life experiences.
It has been an honor to serve as the first representative to the board for CUSD's Trustee Area 1. I have worked hard and represented the district with integrity. I would be honored to continue serving our students, families, and educators. I respectfully ask for your support.
Priorities
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
During my first term, I have worked with my colleagues to strengthen the district's financial position during a period of declining enrollment, rising costs, and uncertainty in funding. Through operational efficiencies, strategic retirements, and wise use of grants, CUSD has met its financial obligations while protecting the programs our students depend on.
But fiscal responsibility is not simply about balancing budgets. It is about ensuring that every dollar serves students, supports teachers, and strengthens our schools for years to come. I believe in transparent decision-making, long-term planning, and thoughtful investments that preserve educational quality while respecting taxpayers.
For the last four years, I have represented CUSD in Washington D.C. with the California School Boards Association to advocate for stronger support for special education and to fix legislative systems that are working against efficiency in public schools. We need more discretionary spending and fewer reporting requirements so that district leadership can focus on students and staff instead of spending their days filling out reports.
Special education remains one of the greatest financial and moral responsibilities facing public education today. Students with disabilities (up to 18% in CUSD) deserve the services they need to succeed, and school districts should not be forced to divert limited classroom resources to cover chronic shortfalls in state and federal funding.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
My reputation as editor of the Claremont Courier is rooted in being well-informed and, above all, fair. But these traits are not specific to my work as a journalist.
Leadership requires equal parts collaboration and independent judgment. As editor, I declined to endorse several local initiatives because I believed the proposals lacked sufficient justification in their size, timing, or project priorities. While often difficult, these decisions reflect my commitment to accountability and to considering the impacts on the wider community, in particular for residents with limited budgets.
That same commitment guided my vote to approve the Family Resource Center. Although there was disagreement among some about aspects of the project, I believe the long-term benefits for students and families in need outweighed concerns about the location and process.
I have a proven track record as someone who stands up for what's right, even when it is sometimes unpopular and I always vote with my values.
EQUITABLE POLICIES & PROGRAMS
As president of the Baldy View Regional Occupational Program Commission, I have seen firsthand the value of connecting education to real-world opportunities. I believe career-technical education learning opportunities must be expanded.
Our programs must evolve so that students gain the credentials and skills for jobs that are available upon graduation. We owe it to our students to offer programs that match industry demand.
We must ensure that students aren't only "college ready," but that they are "career ready." Through robust exploration and support, students can decide not only what they want to be when they grow up, but also how by nurturing durable skills such as effective communication, critical thinking and problem-solving.
This means expanding access to career technical education and strengthening partnerships with employers.
With Special Education now under the federal Department of Health & Human Services and educational civil rights issues under the Department of Justice, it is more important than ever to have a proven advocate. Oversight of special education has been fragmented by our current administration, leaving students vulnerable to slipping through the cracks.
It is one thing to have empathy, but as the parent of a child with disabilities, I have firsthand experience navigating the special education system.
That experience informs every decision I make as a board member and strengthens my commitment to ensuring all students—regardless of ability, background, or future aspirations—have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.