Strengthen Operating Budget Currently, HCPSS is facing operating budget difficulties, with many teachers and signature programs potentially facing budget cuts. My extensive experience in the financial industry makes me an ideal candidate for the Board of Education (BOE) to address this critical issue. As a Board member, I will promote forward looking budget planning, diligently review the HCPSS operating budget and recommend more efficient distribution of funds. Every line item has a cost, but each should also have a clear value and benefit. By thoroughly reviewing the budget, we can optimize the school budget and deliver the best value to our students. I will also carefully analyze the county and state budgets to advocate for appropriate resources for our school system. Currently, certain portions of the county and state budgets come with restrictions on where the money can be spent. I will examine how these restrictions may limit our ability to meet the unique needs of HCPSS and advocate for greater flexibility when funds could be used more efficiently. With our budget under prudent and efficient management, we can set our school system on a sustainable, upward trajectory. Prioritize School Infrastructure Investments Many of our schools are about 50 years old, with severe maintenance and health and safety issues that have led to school closures. Additionally, many schools are over capacity, relying on portable classrooms that negatively impact students academically. As a Board member, I will review school maintenance inspection reports and engineer recommendations, ensuring that the ranking of maintenance and renovation priorities is set fairly and objectively, using transparent criteria. I will also work to expedite the completion of high-priority maintenance and renovation projects. To address the overcapacity issue, I will analyze the situation in our schools and present the severity of the problem to county and state officials, advocate for appropriate capital funding. When new schools are planned or existing ones are expanded during renovations, we must ensure that students can attend schools within their own communities. Minimizing the need to transport students to distant schools in other communities is essential for maintaining a sense of belonging and reducing unnecessary transportation burdens. Drawing on my financial industry experience, I will explore alternative solutions for financing school construction projects, ensuring that the benefits of any proposed financing outweigh the costs. I will also seek input from industry experts to identify more efficient construction designs and technologies that can lower the costs of renovating and expanding aging schools, as well as building new ones. Improve Education for the Future of All Students Science and technology are advancing rapidly, and artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will significantly impact both the workplace and daily life. To prepare our students for success in tomorrow’s job market, we must offer a curriculum that equips them with emerging skills in AI, regardless of their chosen career paths. As a Board member, I will propose conducting recurring reviews of our school curriculum, gathering input from industry leaders and successful alumni, and using these insights to update and improve our programs. I am committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity and support needed to thrive, and that students of all levels and fields of study are treated equally with the resources they need. I will advocate for a mentorship system that allows aspiring students to explore beyond the standard curriculum. Additionally, I will encourage the community to collaborate in offering free, in-person or online tutoring for academically-challenged but motivated students. I will also propose partnerships between local businesses and HCPSS to provide career-readiness training and apprenticeship programs for students wishing to enter the workforce directly after high school, enabling them to launch their careers successfully. Furthermore, I support enhancing our special education system to ensure that all students with special needs receive the tailored support necessary to learn, succeed, and be prepared for college and careers upon graduation. We need to recruit and retain expert teachers in the field of special education and provide them with on-the-job training. They will receive all the support they need so they can focus on teaching. Additionally, we will provide support to the parents of special education students. We should also pay attention to homeschooling students and their parents, as they are an integral part of our community. We need to listen to their challenges and provide them with the necessary support. It is important to ensure that these students are college- and career-ready upon graduation from homeschooling. Teachers are the most important resource in our school system. I will work to recruit and retain the best teachers for our school system by offering competitive compensation, providing them with the support they need, and fostering professional growth through on-the-job training opportunities. Enhance Policies and Procedures for Cell Phones and Food Safety Cell phone use in schools disrupts teachers’ instruction and negatively impacts student learning. Our current policies and procedures are not sufficient to address this issue. We need to strengthen policies and procedures regarding cell phone usage in schools so that teachers can teach without interruption and students can focus on learning. It is essential to provide clear information to students and parents, obtain their agreement to the policies, procedures, and consequences of cell phone use in school. The food we serve to our students in schools should be nutritious and fresh. In the past, there have been reports of spoiled milk, moldy bread, and other food items that had gone bad. We must ensure that food service procedures are appropriate and effectively carried out. Any report of food safety issues in the future should be promptly addressed and corrected. Students should not get sick from spoiled food served in our schools, nor should they go hungry because of it.