My Priorities for Dysart Schools
A Clear Plan to Protect Excellence, Support Educators, and Strengthen Our Community
Our Top Priorities
Protect Dysart's A Rating
Maintain excellence across every school
Support Teachers & Staff
Competitive pay and professional respect
Maintain Safe Facilities
Infrastructure that supports learning
Ensure Fiscal Responsibility
Smart spending for maximum impact
Strengthen Community Partnerships
Schools as community backbone
Why This Matters:
I’m running because our schools need someone who will fight for them the same way I’ve fought for our community on other issues. Someone who will ask the tough questions, demand accountability, and always put students and teachers first. That’s the commitment I’m making to you.
Priority #1
Protect Dysart's A Rating
Maintaining the Culture of Excellence Our Families Expect
I’m committed to protecting Dysart’s A rating by ensuring every school in our district has the resources, support, and leadership needed to reach its full potential. This isn’t about accepting mediocrity from any school—it’s about helping every campus achieve excellence.
Data-Driven Decisions
I'll advocate for regular review of school performance data to identify struggling schools early and provide targeted support before problems become crises. Every school deserves the resources to succeed, and board decisions should be guided by evidence, not politics.
Equitable Resource Allocation
Not every school faces the same challenges. I'll work to ensure resources are distributed based on need, not just enrollment numbers. Schools serving higher percentages of at-risk students need additional support to maintain the same standards of excellence.
Curriculum Excellence
Dysart's curriculum should prepare students for college, career, and life. I support a strong foundation in phonics and the science of reading to ensure every student is a proficient reader by third grade. While maintaining rigorous standards, I will ensure teachers have the flexibility and tools to provide targeted literacy support.
Early Intervention Programs
Students who fall behind in elementary school rarely catch up without intervention. I'll advocate for robust early literacy and math intervention programs that identify struggling students quickly and provide the support they need to succeed.
Accountability with Support
Holding schools accountable for results is important, but accountability without support is just punishment. I'll ensure that when schools struggle, they receive the resources and guidance needed to improve—not just criticism.
Data-Driven Decisions
I'll advocate for regular review of school performance data to identify struggling schools early and provide targeted support before problems become crises. Every school deserves the resources to succeed, and board decisions should be guided by evidence, not politics.
Equitable Resource Allocation
Not every school faces the same challenges. I'll work to ensure resources are distributed based on need, not just enrollment numbers. Schools serving higher percentages of at-risk students need additional support to maintain the same standards of excellence.
Curriculum Excellence
Dysart's curriculum should prepare students for college, career, and life. I'll support rigorous academic standards while ensuring teachers have the flexibility to meet students where they are. One-size-fits-all approaches don't work in education.
Early Intervention Programs
Students who fall behind in elementary school rarely catch up without intervention. I'll advocate for robust early literacy and math intervention programs that identify struggling students quickly and provide the support they need to succeed.
Accountability with Support
Holding schools accountable for results is important, but accountability without support is just punishment. I'll ensure that when schools struggle, they receive the resources and guidance needed to improve—not just criticism.
Priority #2
Support Teachers & Staff
Competitive Compensation, Professional Respect, and the Resources to Succeed
Retention Goal: Reduce teacher turnover through competitive compensation and support from administration.
Competitive Teacher Compensation
I'll advocate for teacher salaries that compete with surrounding districts and reflect the critical importance of their work. This means supporting override measures that fund competitive pay, fighting for state funding increases, and ensuring salary schedules reward experience and excellence.
Protect Staffing Levels
The 2025 override protected 250+ positions—counselors, librarians, support staff, and classroom teachers. I'll continue to fight for adequate staffing levels that allow teachers to focus on teaching, not administrative tasks. Smaller class sizes and adequate support staff aren't luxuries—they're necessities for quality education.
Professional Development Investment
Great teachers never stop learning. I'll support robust professional development programs that help educators stay current with best practices, new technologies, and evolving student needs. This includes funding for training and collaborative planning time.
Respect and Autonomy
Teachers are professionals who deserve respect and trust. I'll oppose micromanagement and support policies that give educators the autonomy to make instructional decisions based on their expertise and knowledge of their students. Board members should set policy, not dictate classroom practice.
Prioritize Teacher Retention
I will advocate for policies that keep our best educators in Dysart classrooms. By reducing turnover, we establish the consistency and trust necessary for a stable learning environment, ultimately driving positive student outcomes and long-term academic success.
Safe and Supportive Work Environment
Teachers can't do their best work in chaotic or unsafe environments. I'll support strong discipline policies, adequate security measures, and administrative backing when teachers face challenging situations. Educators deserve to feel safe and supported every day.
Students can’t learn in buildings that are too hot, buses that don’t run, or classrooms that lack basic resources. Facility maintenance isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. Every dollar we invest in safe, well-maintained facilities is a dollar that supports student learning and protects our community’s investment in education.
Priority #3
Maintain Safe, Well-Maintained Facilities
Infrastructure That Supports Learning and Protects Students
Address Deferred Maintenance
Nineteen years without bond funding means critical repairs have been delayed. I'll prioritize addressing the backlog of maintenance needs—from HVAC systems to roofs to plumbing—before small problems become expensive emergencies. Preventive maintenance is always cheaper than crisis response.
Reliable Transportation
Dysart has already cut bus routes due to funding constraints. I'll work to restore and maintain reliable transportation so families can count on safe, dependable bus service. Transportation isn't a luxury—for many families, it's essential for school access.
Plan for Growth
Developers have donated land for future schools in growth areas like 163rd and Grand, but without bond funding, Dysart can't build. I'll support strategic planning and capital investment that ensures our district can accommodate growth without overcrowding existing schools.
Safe Learning Environments
Every student deserves to feel physically safe at school. I'll support investments in security infrastructure, emergency preparedness systems, and facility designs that enhance safety without creating prison-like environments. Safety and welcoming environments aren't mutually exclusive.
Technology Infrastructure
Modern education requires modern technology. I’ll advocate for robust internet connectivity, up-to-date devices, and the infrastructure to support digital learning tools. Technology is not a replacement for paper and pencil; it is a tool that enhances and improves them. My goal is to ensure technology expands opportunities for our students without taking away from the foundational tools of learning.
Energy Efficiency
Administrative overhead should be minimized so maximum dollars reach classrooms. Dysart currently spends only 8.5% on administration—well below the state average of 10.3%. I will continue to push for policies that keep resources focused on students and teachers, ensuring bureaucracy serves education, not the other way around.
Fiscal responsibility doesn’t mean cutting education to the bone—it means making smart decisions that maximize impact for students while respecting taxpayer investment. When we invest wisely in education, we protect property values, attract families to our community, and prepare the next generation for success. That’s not wasteful spending—it’s the smartest investment we can make.
Priority #4
Ensure Fiscal Responsibility
Smart Spending That Maximizes Impact for Students and Taxpayers
Transparent Budget Process
Families deserve to see exactly how their tax dollars are being spent. I will push for budget presentations that are clear and easy to find, using plain language that everyone can understand. No jargon and no hiding behind complicated numbers—just honest talk about where the money goes and the reasons why.
Long-Term Financial Planning
Managing money responsibly means looking further than just the current year. I support financial planning that covers several years at a time so we can see challenges coming, prepare for growth, and avoid making rushed decisions during a crisis. Stability is what leads to better results for our students.
Protect Essential Services First
When budget cuts are necessary, they should be made strategically—not across-the-board reductions that harm everyone equally. I'll fight to protect classroom instruction, teacher positions, and direct student services while looking first at administrative efficiencies and non-essential programs.
Prioritize Classroom Spending
We need to keep administrative costs low so that as much money as possible goes straight to the classroom. Dysart currently spends only 8.5% on administration, which is much lower than the Arizona average of 10.3%. I will continue to support policies that focus resources on students and teachers to make sure the district office serves the schools, not the other way around.
Evaluate Program Effectiveness
Not every program delivers results worth the investment. I'll advocate for regular evaluation of programs and initiatives to ensure they're achieving intended outcomes. If something isn't working, we should have the courage to redirect resources to more effective approaches.
Prioritize Classroom Spending
I will advocate for a budget that puts students first. Dysart currently leads the state by directing 72.2% of every dollar to classroom instruction. I will push for a continued focus on keeping administrative costs low. Our current rate of 8.5% is well below the Arizona average of 10.3%. I am committed to improving these numbers to ensure our resources always reach the teachers and students who need them most.
Evaluate Program Effectiveness
Not every program delivers results worth the investment. I'll advocate for regular evaluation of programs and initiatives to ensure they're achieving intended outcomes. If something isn't working, we should have the courage to redirect resources to more effective approaches.
Long-Term Financial Planning
Managing money responsibly means looking further than just the current year. I support financial planning that covers several years at a time so we can see challenges coming, prepare for growth, and avoid making rushed decisions during a crisis. Stability is what leads to better results for our students.
Transparent Budget Process
Families deserve to see exactly how their tax dollars are being spent. I will push for budget presentations that are clear and easy to find, using plain language that everyone can understand. No jargon and no hiding behind complicated numbers—just honest talk about where the money goes and the reasons why.
Strong schools create strong communities. When Dysart schools excel, property values rise, families move in, local businesses thrive, and the entire West Valley benefits. These aren’t just schools—they’re community assets that deserve community support. By strengthening partnerships between schools and the broader community, we create a virtuous cycle where everyone benefits from educational excellence.
Priority #5
Strengthen Community Partnerships
Schools as the Backbone of Community Strength and Connection
Community Benefit: City sports programs use Dysart facilities at no charge
Property Value Impact: Strong schools = higher home values for all residents
Economic Impact: Quality schools attract families and businesses to West Valley
Maintain City Partnerships
Dysart's partnership with Surprise for recreational use of school facilities benefits the entire community. I'll work to maintain and strengthen these partnerships, ensuring schools remain accessible for youth sports, community events, and civic gatherings. These partnerships save taxpayer dollars and strengthen community bonds.
Engage Local Businesses
Local businesses have a stake in strong schools—educated workers, stable property values, and community vitality all depend on educational excellence. I'll work to build partnerships with local employers for internships, mentorships, career education, and financial support for programs that benefit students and businesses alike.
Support Volunteer Programs
Community volunteers enrich schools in countless ways—from reading tutors to career speakers to event support. I'll support robust volunteer programs that make it easy for community members to contribute their time and expertise to student success.
Communicate Proactively
Too often, districts only communicate with the community when they need something (like override support). I'll advocate for regular, proactive communication that keeps residents informed about district successes, challenges, and decisions—building trust through transparency.
Leverage Community Resources
Our community has incredible resources—from ASU's West Valley campus to local nonprofits to cultural organizations. I'll work to build partnerships that bring these resources into schools, enriching student experiences and strengthening community connections.
Communicate Proactively
Too often, districts only communicate with the community when they need something (like override support). I'll advocate for regular, proactive communication that keeps residents informed about district successes, challenges, and decisions—building trust through transparency.
Leverage Community Resources
Our community has incredible resources—from ASU's West Valley campus to local nonprofits to cultural organizations. I'll work to build partnerships that bring these resources into schools, enriching student experiences and strengthening community connections.
Excellence Requires Support
Protecting Dysart's A rating (Priority #1) depends entirely on supporting teachers and staff (Priority #2). You can't have excellent schools without excellent educators, and you can't retain excellent educators without competitive compensation and professional respect.
Facilities Enable Learning
Safe, well-maintained facilities (Priority #3) are the foundation for everything else. Teachers can't teach effectively in buildings that are too hot or falling apart. Students can't focus on learning when basic infrastructure fails. Fiscal responsibility (Priority #4) means investing in preventive maintenance that avoids expensive emergencies.
Community Investment Creates Sustainability
Strengthening community partnerships (Priority #5) builds the political and financial support needed for fiscal responsibility (Priority #4). When the entire community understands that strong schools benefit everyone—not just families with children—they're more willing to invest in education through overrides and bonds.
Fiscal Responsibility Enables Excellence
Smart spending (Priority #4) ensures resources are available for teacher support (Priority #2) and facility maintenance (Priority #3). Fiscal responsibility doesn't mean cutting education—it means maximizing the impact of every dollar so we can maintain excellence (Priority #1) while building community support (Priority #5).
An Integrated Approach to Excellence
These five priorities aren't separate initiatives—they're interconnected elements of a comprehensive strategy for educational excellence. Here's how they work together.
Measuring Success: How We'll Know These Priorities Are Working
Priorities without accountability are just words. If elected, I'm committing to regular, transparent reporting on progress toward these goals. Here's how we'll measure success.
I'm committing to regular public reporting on these metrics—not just when things are going well, but especially when we face challenges. Transparency builds trust, and trust is essential for the community support our schools need to thrive.
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Priority
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Success Metrics
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Reporting Frequency
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Protect A Rating
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District and school-level ratings, student achievement data, graduation rates
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Annual
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Teacher retention rates, salary competitiveness vs. peer districts, staff satisfaction surveys
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Annual
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Deferred maintenance backlog, facility condition assessments, emergency closures
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Quarterly
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Quarterly
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Community satisfaction surveys, volunteer participation, partnership agreements
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Annual
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Support These Priorities
If you agree with these priorities and want a Governing Board member who will fight for them every day, I need your help. Running a campaign that reaches every corner of Dysart takes resources, volunteers, and community support.
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