School Board Division 2

I have a MS in sociology, and for 23 years I worked as a research analyst for the KY Courts. I have extensive youth and family oriented program experience, and have served as a community activist for fairness and equitable access.

I have a MS in sociology, and for 23 years I worked as a research analyst for the KY Courts. I have extensive youth and family oriented program experience, and have served as a community activist for fairness and equitable access. I am a Lexington resident and good standing taxpayer. I have resided for 26 years with my wife in Masterson Station Neighborhood. My experience evaluating complex systems and supporting the people they impact will help me both evaluate and address the issues facing our public school system today.

The top three issues facing the FCSB are Fiscal Integrity, Transparency, and Accountability. The most pressing issue is addressing the financial crisis: getting the Current FY 2026-2027 budget out of the red, in which actual expenditures do not outpace actual revenues, and a 6% contingency fund per Fayette County Public School District policy. Trust in our school system has been deeply fractured, and repairing it is critical. The Fayette County Public School District table must have seating for all constituents, including students, educators, support staff, and community members.

Keeping the well-being of our students, teachers, support staff, and community at the forefront of each budgetary decision. Holding the superintendent and board members accountable for prioritizing and implementing the audits’ recommendations. Holding the superintendent and board members accountable for the public having open access to updated meeting calendars, accurate fiscal reports, timely distribution of fiscal concerns, and having opportunities to have their voices heard.

As an elected Fayette County school board member, I will support policies that encourage community involvement. Decisions cannot be made in an echo chamber, with only elected officials, district administrators, and chosen experts having a voice which is heard. As a school board member, I will always welcome contingency input and be held accountable for my votes. I wholeheartedly believe together, through direct, clear, and open face to face dialogue, Fayette County can make tough budgetary and operational decisions, so all our children can and will shine.

I am a high school Social Studies teacher teaching AP US Government & Politics, AP World History, and AP Human Geography. I maintain National Board Certification, the highest professional credential in teaching. I coach academic team, my students have had a 100% pass rate on AP exams, and I am a longtime advocate for public education at the local, state, and federal levels.

I am, first and foremost, an educator. A teacher's perspective at the table has helped us make real progress: improved student achievement, reduced opportunity gaps, and better pay and benefits for employees. We're also tackling real challenges: fixing decades-long financial issues, restoring public confidence, and building long-range solutions. This work requires steady, stable leadership. I'm committed to seeing through the external reviews we've commissioned and building on our academic progress.

Maximizing investments in our students and classrooms is the number one priority; even amid financial challenges, we must protect the classroom as much as possible. Second, quality education requires quality staff, so we must keep investing in fair wages and benefits for employees so FCPS continues being a destination district. Third, our schools are responsible for more than just educating so we must keep engaging community partners to support our most vulnerable students and families.

FCPS has made academic gains by being intentional in our focus on students and learning. That must remain our focus. The challenges we're currently facing did not emerge overnight and they will not be resolved overnight. But I'm committed to being part of the Board of Education that not only uncovered these issues but implemented lasting solutions to ensure that we can continue focusing on student success, restore public confidence, and showcase the positive impact of FCPS on our community.

As Board Chair, I've implemented a streamlined, more accessible digital meeting agenda, a financial transparency dashboard, and the Board's first governance manual. Our work is driven by a community-created strategic plan that involved input from thousands of stakeholders. As we prepare for the next installment, we must keep creating opportunities to engage diverse stakeholders. I'm also working with a group of students to increase student participation in district and Board decision making.