Equity and Inclusion–During my term, we have made significant steps towards equity and inclusion, but feedback from students and parents show that inequities still exist for racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities. I will continue to push for policies and practices that support all students, especially those who are marginalized in this district.
Bullying and Hate Speech–The district has long had issues with bullying and hate speech. We need to make sure that policies and handbooks are clear, transparent, and consistent when it comes to nondiscrimination, bullying and harassment, and hate speech. Further, we need to make sure data is accurately recorded and reported to the board and public so we can measure progress.
Student Mental Health–The pandemic exacerbated mental health challenges for students across the country. Saline is no exception. We need to make it a priority to destigmatize mental health support and to ensure we have adequate support staff to meet the needs of our students. Staff should also be trained in trauma-informed practices to best support the students.
Staff Recruitment and Retention–While retirements are inevitable, we have seen an exodus of teachers at all levels leaving the district. We need to systematically study why this is the case. The teaching staff is the backbone of the district, and we need to make sure we are keeping the best people through retirement. In the same vein, we should take advantage of openings to ensure we are utilizing inclusive hiring practices in order to diversify the staff in our schools. Let’s hire the best and make sure Saline is the place they want to stay for their careers!
Keeping Public Education Public–Public education is a right in a democratic society. However, it is presently under attack in America. Public education should be free, accessible, and properly funded for all, regardless of income or identity. I am a fervent supporter of public education and I will adhere to this value in my term as school board trustee.