Why I'm Running
At RE1 School Board, our mission is to prioritize students and parents in every decision we make. We believe that by working together, we can create an environment that fosters academic excellence and community involvement. Our schools are the heart of the Roaring Fork Valley—but right now, RE-1 is facing urgent challenges. From falling academic scores and frustrated educators to a lack of parent voice and financial instability, we are at a crossroads.
As a mother of four and a longtime community member, I’ve seen firsthand how strong schools uplift families and how missteps affect everyone. I’m running for school board because we deserve better—and I’m ready to lead with common sense, transparency, and a family-first mindset.
My Priorities
1.Rigorous Standards
Academic Achievement: Are our students being set up to succeed?
Student achievement data from the Roaring Fork School district invites important reflection about our current approach - and whether our goals are ambitious enough to support every learner. According to the Roaring Fork Strategic Planning Dashboard:
Math (NWEA)*
-5-yr Goal: 45% of students proficient in Mathematics
-Beginning of Year (BOY) Overall: 18%
-Hispanic: 12%
-Non-Hispanic: 65%
-Middle of Year (MOY) Overall: 17%
-Hispanic: 10%
-Non-Hispanic: 63%
-End of Year (EOY) Overall: 24%
-Hispanic: 19%
-Non-Hispanic: 80%
Reading (NWEA)*
-5-yr Goal: 56% of students proficient in reading
-BOY Overall: 29%
-Hispanic: 28%
Non-Hispanic: 98%
-MOY Overall: 29%
-Hispanic: 26%
-Non-Hispanic: 99%
-EOY Overall: 32%
-Hispanic: 33%
-Non-Hispanic: 106% (?)
(*Northwest Evaluation Association)
From the BOY to MOY to EOY, scores show some improvements. However the disparity between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic student achievement remains great.
This raises key questions: Are all of our students being pushed to achieve rigorous standards in academics? Are they being sufficiently challenged in order to achieve their best outcomes?
Additionally, when. Some students are exceeding the district’s long-term goals while others are consistently falling behind, we must ask: Are our schools’ academic policies actually leading our students down a path to success? We owe it to every student to aim higher, close gaps and pursue meaningful academic growth for all. Let’s set bold goals that lift every learner and give our teachers the tools to reach them.
2. Support Our Teachers
Teacher Retention & Support: Are We Taking Care of Our Educators?
The district has set a goal for 75% of staff to feel supported by the central office—a worthy and important target.
📊 Right now, just 35% of staff report feeling satisfied with Human Resources support.
Challenges like affordable housing, health insurance options, and the need for clearer communication continue to impact morale and retention.
By listening to staff feedback and addressing these core concerns head-on, we have a real opportunity to strengthen support systems—and keep great educators in our schools.
3. Empower Parents
Parent Engagement: Listening or Lip Service?
In the 2023–2024 school year, parent engagement across the district didn’t meet the goals we’ve set for ourselves:
- Panorama District Survey: 23% participation
- Panorama School Survey: 25% participation
- Target: 50%
When it comes to trust and respect, responses vary across communities:
District Survey
- Hispanic families: 77%
- White families: 57%
School Survey - Hispanic families: 74%
- White families: 62%
📣 These numbers tell us there's work to do to ensure all parents feel included, respected, and heard—especially on sensitive topics like curriculum changes, including the Gender Toolkit and 3Rs Health and Sex Ed.
Families deserve a space where open, respectful dialogue is not just welcomed—but expected. Let’s rebuild trust by creating meaningful opportunities for parents to engage, ask questions, and help shape the decisions that affect their children every day.
4. Improve Transparency
Opaque Decision-Making: Parents Left in the Dark
The Equity Audit conducted in early 2024 brought forward important questions—but also highlighted a need for more robust community involvement.
📌 Policies such as the Gender Toolkit and 3Rs Curriculum were introduced with limited public engagement, leaving many families feeling under-informed and disconnected from the process.
Many parents have expressed a desire to be more actively involved in decisions that directly impact their children’s education. Moving forward, creating space for open dialogue and inclusive participation will help ensure trust, understanding, and shared responsibility in shaping our schools.
5. Hiring Practices - Qualifications or Quotas?
The district has outlined goals to increase staff diversity in alignment with student demographics, aiming for a teaching workforce that better reflects the ~56% Hispanic student population.
Current targets include 30% of teachers and 56% of staff identifying as identifying as Hispanic.
While representation is an important goal, it’s essential that hiring practices also continue to emphasize experience, qualifications, and a strong commitment to student success.
The community deserves open dialogue and clarity around how these goals are implemented—and how they promote the highest level of excellence in education.
💬 The May 14, 2025, board meeting offers further discussion on this topic.
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