Where do I stand?
Taxes:
This August, I voted no to a tax increase. This is because I believe the new school board should have had the time to dive into the numbers in each area and make a decision based on their needs.
I was there last year when the board passed a substantial tax increase and said that it should mitigate the need for more tax increases next year. While I see where the increase will be helpful, it was impossible for me to ask you, the tax payer, to pay more just so we could have a cushion this year.
I was outvoted so we will have that increase and it will make up for the deficit you have likely heard we will potentially face in the Timpanogos area.
I trust the voters and the taxpayers. We have a lot of information to gather and many priorities to align before we know what will happen in the coming years but I promise to do all I can to mitigate any unnecessary spending and be as fiscally responsible as I have been as we put our heads together and build this new district.
Representation:
Last year, I was elected in a landslide! Thank you for all your support. The reason I won was because as parents and community members, we did not feel as though we were able to be part of the conversation about what was happening in our schools. We were told in multiple ways that we don’t know as much as our board and we should just trust them because they understand more and are doing whats best for our kids.
We needed a parent on our school board. Someone who was living the consequences of the actions of the board.
I promised that I would never belittle anyone and that even if the answer was no to something you were advocating for, that I would tell you and explain why. That I am here to listen to our community and advocate for the needs of the parents, students, teachers, administrations, etc to ensure we have trust and transparency.
And I have delivered!
-I engage in conversations with parents and community members in every school monthly
-I was able to advocate for and help bring in more help to our smaller schools.
-I have worked at the district level to ensure that communications are not only transparent, but understandable.
-I passed a generous benefit package for our teachers so they know we have their backs and will support them through the transitions.
-I have advocated in spaces where I knew I was making it awkward and that the answer was going to be no. I did it anyway.
-I passed a cell phone policy that has helped increase focus in a of our schools. Students have been the greatest cheerleader for this policy which is amazing to see!
-I SHOW UP!