Safe, Supportive Schools for Every Child

As a board member, my responsibility is to represent the vision and values of our community by ensuring that safety and well-being remain at the center of our policies and budgets. That’s why, over the past three years, I have:

• Fought to change state law on school nurse qualifications, so schools are no longer limited to only nurses with a four-year degree. With new two-tiered hiring—one for RNAs, CNAs, and other certifications, and one for BAs—CMS now has more flexibility to place a full-time nurse in every school.
• Worked directly with social workers to understand their concerns about overwhelming caseloads and supported the superintendent’s plan to reallocate resources. As a result, every school now has a social worker assigned—a major step forward, though continued advocacy and funding are still needed to reduce caseloads further.
• Voted to expand mental health supports, increasing access to counselors, social workers, and psychologists so students have someone to turn to before a crisis.
• Approved facility investments to make campuses safer and more secure, including entry-point upgrades and updated crisis response protocols.
• Directed staff to strengthen anti-bullying policies and create more inclusive environments where every student feels safe and respected.
• Supported policies that protect all students, including undocumented students, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities—because safety means belonging and protection for everyone.
  

These steps show how board direction and collaboration with staff can deliver real progress for student safety and well-being. But safety is never “finished work.” We must keep strengthening supports and ensuring that every student feels both physically secure and emotionally cared for.

These results show what’s possible when the board sets the right priorities and holds the district accountable for delivering. But this work isn’t finished. Retention isn’t just about filling vacancies—it’s about valuing teachers and staff as professionals with fair pay, respect, autonomy and meaningful growth.