The Answers You Deserve

I firmly oppose TN House Bill 1202, which permits teachers to carry guns in schools. I have two children in public schools, so the safety of all public schools is of paramount importance to me as both a parent and a school board member. However, there is no evidence to suggest that arming teachers will make schools safer, but there are numerous accounts of incidents where a gun was mishandled or improperly fired by armed adults at schools.1

I am an advocate for students and teachers, and there is published and peer-reviewed data showing that the great majority of students (80%) and teachers (70%) oppose allowing teachers to carry guns in school. 2,3

Our schools should be safe havens for learning, not environments where firearms introduce unnecessary risks. WCS prioritizes student safety, and our best safety measure is trusting the School Resource Officers (SROs)—deputy sheriffs at every WCS school who are professionally trained to protect our children and staff—to continue the great work that they do on our school campuses. A law like this would create new challenges in keeping our students safe.

Instead of arming teachers, we should focus on implementing comprehensive safety measures and providing resources to address the root causes of violence in our communities. I am committed to advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being and safety of our students, teachers, and staff."

1 Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, “Mishandled Guns in Schools Database,” data updated through December 2021. 2 Journal of School Violence, 20(2), 127–138. 3 Journal of School Violence, 21(2), 119–131.

When the school voucher program was making its way through the state legislature, I spoke with state lawmakers and other stakeholders about the harm vouchers can do to public schools. I shared the emailed concerns from teachers and parents I received who were also deeply concerned about what this bill could do to public education. You can watch the recordings of the work sessions and board meetings where I spoke about the unintended consequences of siphoning public tax payer money to private schools where they do not have the same accountability measures and do not need to serve ALL students. Ultimately, I voted in favor of the WCS board resolution against the school voucher program and continue to hold that position. 

​

Read More

The school board and County Commission value transparency when evaluating and passing the yearly budget. Anyone can access this information at any point online here. There are also open discussions during our work sessions and board meetings where school board members ask WCS staff questions and discuss any changes that should be proposed based on community feedback and alignment with our district’s priorities. After that discussion, we vote to approve the budget and WCS staff present it to the county commission so they can vote to fund it.

I feel that teachers should be treated like the professionals they are by entrusting them to execute the job they have been hired to do. With this in mind, I have always strived to increase teacher salaries in our budget. I also supported the resolution District 9 Board Member Rick Wimberly brought forward to ask the state to find ways to reduce extra work and bureaucracy for teachers so they can focus their time and effort on their work with students. I’d like to keep the board focused on our role as a policy-making body that hires the superintendent of schools and approves the budget, and let the professional teachers, librarians, and administrators focus on their roles without our over-reaching interference.

My job during this very difficult time was to listen to professionals and constituents with the focus on prioritizing students' return back to the classroom and moving away from remote learning for those who chose to not remain learning from home. 

I never opposed or voted against a parent’s right to choose what was best for their child. Parents always had a choice to opt out of any mandates. 

There are no current DEI based curriculum materials mandated for use in Williamson County Public Schools. In fact, all education curriculum is selected through a committee process according to WCS policy and state law. Curriculum must be fully vetted and follow state standards which are decided and controlled through the Tennessee Department of Education.

I have loved serving District 5 these last four years. In that time, I have successfully orchestrated a new way to engage with communities by promoting multiple community meetings to connect with families regarding area-specific issues like rezoning and the bus route pilot program. I have been honored to serve as the Chair of the Policy Committee for 2 years, and also achieved a Level 2 Boardmanship Award in my first term.

Engaging the community is the lifeblood of any successful school district. As an incumbent school board member running for re-election, it's crucial to emphasize the significance of community involvement in shaping the direction and success of our schools by ensuring our district residents are heard and remain informed about the needs and concerns specific to our area.

It is important for me to also build on the relationships I’ve already formed with WCS teachers, staff, fellow board members, and families to continue to address the issue of overcrowding in our northeast corner of the county. We want to make sure that these solutions are not only a high priority to the county, but that the community plays a part in finding the solution.

I am running as an independent candidate because I firmly believe in advocating for all students and feel that sound policy—not politics—is what guides healthy school board decisions. I have built relationships with people from both political parties and am proud to have served and continue to serve all Williamson County residents.

No. I am proud to have gathered all our support from individuals in our community, particularly so many fellow WCS parents.