As a candidate for the school board, my approach centers around three critical questions to guide every decision and policy:

Does this address attendance? Regular attendance is a cornerstone of student success. I will work to implement programs that identify and address the root causes of absenteeism, whether they be social, economic, or health-related. By fostering a supportive and engaging school atmosphere, we can encourage students to attend regularly and participate actively in their education.

Does this help or hinder education? Every policy and initiative must be evaluated for its impact on the overall educational experience. I am committed to promoting practices that enhance learning while avoiding those that create unnecessary barriers. This includes integrating technology in a way that complements traditional teaching, ensuring our curriculum remains relevant and challenging, and maintaining open communication with all stakeholders to continuously improve our educational standards.

Does this help test scores? Ensuring that our students achieve academic excellence is paramount. I will advocate for evidence-based teaching methods, provide access to quality learning materials, and support professional development for our teachers. By focusing on these areas, we can create an environment where students are motivated and equipped to excel in their assessments.

Additionally, parental involvement is crucial to the success of our students and our schools. I will champion initiatives that encourage parents to take an active role in their children's education, from participating in school events to staying informed about academic progress. By building strong partnerships between parents, teachers, and administrators, we can create a more cohesive and supportive educational community.

By focusing on these key questions and emphasizing the importance of parental involvement, I am dedicated to making thoughtful, data-driven decisions that will advance our educational system and benefit every student in our district.

About Me

With over two decades of comprehensive experience in healthcare management, emergency services, and data analytics, I bring a unique blend of leadership, administrative, and technical expertise to the role of school board trustee. My career has involved leading and supervising diverse teams in high-pressure environments, including emergency departments, and within larger organizational structures.

My background in the United States Marine Corps provided me with a solid foundation in communications, fostering exemplary leadership, team-building, and strategic problem-solving skills. Transitioning to data analytics in recent years, I have played a pivotal role in establishing data analytics departments, modernizing legacy systems, and utilizing data to drive strategic decisions and enhance operational efficiencies.

I have honed my ability to navigate complex data sets and translate them into actionable insights, optimizing processes, improving efficiency, and reducing costs. This analytical expertise and a compassionate commitment to community service position me well to contribute meaningfully to our school board.

As a trustee, I am dedicated to applying my diverse skill set to support and enhance the educational experience for all students. My strategic and data-driven approach will help inform policy decisions, promote operational efficiencies, and ensure that our schools are equipped to provide the highest quality education.

My Family:

I am married and have three adult children, all of whom attended public schools in Kern County. All three graduated from Bakersfield High School.

My oldest son, Levi, is currently serving as an active-duty service member in the USAF and is stationed in New Mexico.

My middle daughter, Cameron, completed her undergraduate degree in Marine Sciences at the University of Hawaii, Hilo, and is currently living and working on the Big Island. When she was young, a trip to an aquarium led to an encounter with a shark that changed her life. She decided to dedicate her life to the preservation of marine animals, especially sharks. Everything she has done since that encounter has been in furtherance of that goal.

My youngest daughter, Natalia, completed her degree in Computer Science & Digital Audio, which combines the disciplines of computer science, audio engineering, and music, at DigiPen Institute of Technology. She was the audio programmer for Bungie Games and recently contributed to the release of Destiny 2: The Final Shape. She lives in Redmond, Washington, with her dog, Archie.

My spouse, Kellie, and I have been married for over 27 years. Kellie is also a healthcare data analyst and is actively involved with several organizations focused on community involvement.

Key Policy Beliefs

Inclusive Curriculum: I support comprehensive education that includes LGBTQ+ history, civil rights movements, and diverse cultural perspectives. I reject any attempts to censor or limit this content.
Teacher Autonomy: I trust educators to foster critical thinking and oppose efforts to dictate what they can or cannot discuss in the classroom, especially regarding controversial or political topics.
Pro-Science and Fact-Based Education: I advocate for teaching climate change, evolution, and public health topics like vaccinations based on scientific consensus. I oppose efforts to remove these subjects from the curriculum.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): I endorse programs that help students manage emotions, build relationships, and make responsible decisions, countering criticism that SEL promotes ideological values.
Opposition to Book Bans: I reject attempts to ban books that address race, gender, or sexuality, or are deemed "divisive" by conservative groups. I support intellectual freedom and diverse reading materials.
Support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): I advocate for DEI initiatives that promote equitable learning environments for students of all backgrounds, abilities, genders, and races.
Comprehensive Sex Education: I support medically accurate, comprehensive sex education that includes discussions on consent, contraception, and LGBTQ+ relationships, in contrast to abstinence-only programs.
LGBTQ+ and Transgender Student Rights: I support transgender students' rights to use facilities aligned with their gender identity, participate in sports, and be referred to by their chosen names and pronouns.
Anti-Censorship in Schools: I defend schools against efforts to censor discussions on systemic racism, Critical Race Theory (CRT), or America's history of racial injustice. Honest conversations about our past are essential.
Opposition to School Privatization: I reject the expansion of charter schools, voucher programs, or the defunding of public education, as promoted by groups advocating for “school choice.”
Public Health in Schools: I support public health policies such as mask mandates and vaccine requirements in schools, countering opposition from conservative groups.
Teacher Professional Development: I advocate for professional development in areas like DEI, cultural competency, and modern teaching methods, despite resistance from certain groups.
Emphasis on Social Justice: I support integrating social justice education and anti-racism into curricula, opposing claims that these efforts are divisive or harmful.

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