more Questions Answered!

Here's Where You can Further Get To Know Me... 

And What I Stand For As An Educator and A DAD!

Before I get too entrenched, I believe that through healthy debate, and through dignified conversation, all viewpoints can be expressed and respectfully considered. I learn from various interactions I have in my life. These are my thoughts and the things I believe, but I welcome discussion. Perhaps I can learn from your life experience.  Bottom line... how do we do that which is best for our students?   Period!

What Are Your Educational Credentials?

Michigan State University.  Lyman Briggs College.   BS in Biological Sciences. 

Eastern Michigan University.  MA in K-12 Educational Leadership.

Teacher Certification... DA (Biology) and DC (Chemistry).

Teacher... Manchester Jr/ Sr HS. 17 years.  Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, & Forensics.

Tell Us About Your Family...

Family consists of a tremendously talented wife, Jessica, a critical care medical intensive care unit nurse at Michigan Medicine, and two rambunctious boys, Graham (16) and Bryce (13).  Graham is thriving at SHS; and Bryce is SMS proud!

We also have many friends who we consider our Saline family.  Saline is certainly a great place to live and a great place to raise a family.

What Do I Think Education Looks Like in a Post-Covid World?

First and foremost I want our children to go to school in a school that is safe.  I trust that the school's administration will put together and develop a plan.  We have tremendous teachers and support personnel... and I trust that they will do everything they can to maintain the health and wellness of our students as they execute the plan.  As a school board member my job will be to assist with that, whether it's through development of policies that protect the safety of our students, or by making the financial commitment necessary to provide for cleanliness of facilities.  Plus we are going to have to be aware of parents needs at home and and provide the infrastructure and professional development necessary to execute distance learning that maintains the high standards of our schools and supports our educators and families.

Describe Your Approach to Solving Problems and Making Decisions As a Leader?

I prefer a collaborative approach to problem solving whenever possible.  I crave expertise when making decisions.  I believe that the collective wisdom of the group helps to develop multiple options and solutions to a problem. Through collaboration and discussion, we can solve problems using data, and utilizing best practice methods that reflect the collective culture and desires of our community."

What Are Saline Area Schools Best Strengths?  What Areas Most Need Improvement?

In my opinion, Saline's greatest strengths are three things... 

1. A talented student population.

2. A tremendous and talented staff.

3. A supportive community and engaged parents. 

The biggest areas of opportunity are...

1. Enhancing our school district's commitment to equity.  

2. Continuing to be tremendous stewards of financial resources.

3. Engaging in discussions with our community about issues that are of great importance.  We need to care about one another!  Listen to one another.  Work together.  Be positive and encouraging of our schools, staff and students.  Stop with the constant polarization!

Describe The Ways You've Stayed Apprised of Issues in Education and Saline Area Schools.

As a professional educator I continuously stay abreast to the concerns and difficulties present in education.  Whether that is through federal and/ or state mandates, or via professional development opportunities.

The Michigan Association of School Board provides targeted professional development that supports the work of local school boards.  Through my discussions with current board members, I feel confident that I would be able to take advantage of these opportunities.  I welcome the opportunity to work with current and former board members to learn from their collective wisdom as well.

Lastly, I will know of issues, because, I will listen!  It is not difficult to find me in the community. Whether it is inside of local businesses, volunteering, at the library, on the athletic fields and courts, etc.  I strive to be approachable for all individuals and it will be a goal of mine to engage with the community through multiple avenues.  For example, through coffee hours and through community events (when safe and appropriate post- Covid).  I also want to be clear that I will listen and engage with everyone, even those with whom my own personal belief system differs.  We may not always agree, but I will listen and try to understand.  We can have a different belief system and still figure out what works best for our children.  I firmly believe that.

When You Serve On The Board, Who Do You See Yourself Representing and Working For?

The students.  Easy answer.

What's your opinion of the district's move away from the traditional classroom, and how would you assess requests to fundamentally change the way Saline students learn in school?

I trust that the district's move away from the traditional classroom is driven by data and best practice.  I trust that the leadership of our district are attune to cutting edge mechanisms present in education and are dedicated to their implementation.  

Every board meeting that I have attended contains a Student Showcase.  I see this Showcase as a representation of the tremendous work being done by students and the dedication of educators in the district.  

When assessing requests to fundamentally change the way Saline students learn, I want to see the Saline schools continuing on the pathway to being innovative and continuing to encourage risk-taking.

What are your thoughts on the way the district teaches students life skills and provides opportunities for students who might thrive in vocational programs?

Not every student is going to college.  I think Saline has strong CTE programs and I think Saline is a leader in the consortium for surrounding Washtenaw area schools.  I gladly support these programs and wish for them to thrive.  They will have my support.

What's your position on teacher pay and benefits - given that the district's purse strings are controlled by the state.

There is a reason why the University of Alabama is a football power.   They hired Nick Saban, one of the best football coaches in America.  And the University of Alabama surrounds him with the financial resources, cutting edge facilities and high performing co-coaches who are amongst the best in their profession.

I feel the same way about teacher pay and benefits.  The reason that the Saline Area Schools is an exemplary school district is because Saline is Alabama.  We have the best educators around, and we (the community) support them with tremendous resources with which to do their job.   This means that the expectations are high and I think Saline educators know that and they more than meet the call.

As such, I think teachers should be paid as professionals and I want them to feel secure as they take care of their families.  I certainly don't want talented educators to be looking to leave Saline.  As such, we have to be competitive with salaries and benefits.   The teacher shortage is real.  I think we need to be as attractive as possible to maintain and recruit top level talent.

Under what, if any, conditions would you consider privatizing support staff?

Virtually none.  I think privatization makes folks nervous and creates real questions about efficacy.  Will there be a reduction in quality of staff?  Will there be a reduction in services provided?   Will Saline folks lose their jobs?  Will the district realize cost savings worthy of making the decision to privatize?

I will tell you that, in general, I am against privatization of support staff and school resources.  Many of our support staff are community members.  I want that to continue.  The Saline Area Schools should be composed of Saline Area folks.  I am not willing to sacrifice quality to save ten cents on the dollar.  I also think the work done by these talented individuals should be noted and recognized.

Now, in what situation would I consider privatization?  Only in a situation where I am assured that cost savings will be significant, that there was no other way to protect the financial footing of the district, that we just haven't been able to fill these positions through any other means, and that Saline folks would have priority in the hiring process and would be compensated as professionals.

How important is diversity in staff and administration?

Important.  We can't discuss a desire for increased diversity and equity, and not live it.  Right now, this is an area that we need to hyper-vigilent about.  I think we need to increase the diversity of our staff and administration.  This has to be reflected in current and future hiring practices.

Does the district do enough to protect students from bullying?  If not, what would you like to see done.

Bullying is a challenge for school districts.  It is a challenge for schools and for educators.  

As a Washtenaw area educator, I know that through the WISD and other professional development opportunities, that Saline educators are continuously finding ways to support students and making sure that all students feel safe in our schools.  Leader In Me at Woodland Meadows is an example of an excellent school program with targeted interventions.

WEB at the Middle School and Link Crew at the High School are also fantastic programs offered in our schools which develop student leadership and combat bullying in our schools.

I want to continue to support these programs and to be aggressive about stopping bullying and all behaviors that harm our students. 

We need to be diligent about teaching young people about how to use social media appropriately.

In this district we still have a lot work to do to make sure that all students feel supported.

One area that the district, and the board is invested in is the DEI committee.  The DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) committee is doing important work.  As a board member, I will be  supportive of the work by this committee, and I want to see their recommendations implemented in policies and procedures of the district.  We need to do more with DEI.

Regarding pay to play, should the schools spend more or less to subsidize student athletics and extracurricular activities?

This will not be popular... I am in favor of pay to participate fees.

The reality is our district only has so many dollars, and the majority of those dollars should be dedicated to supporting the work being done in the classroom.  

As a dad, I will gladly pay for my child to participate in Math Counts, DECA, language clubs, cross country, soccer, lacrosse, etc if it allows the school to provide the materials necessary for a literature book, or a chemistry laboratory.

I want to be clear though, athletics and extracurricular programs are very important to the total education experience of young people!  I will protect these programs.  I realize the community takes pride in its athletic and extracurricular teams.

In the end, I have faith that through current participation fees, the current budget allocation for athletics, through the work of the Athletic Boosters, and through individual donors and philanthropic endeavors, that we can continue to offer top notch athletic and extracurricular opportunities.

How do you see online/ digital learning opportunities fitting into Saline Area Schools?

Right now... more important than ever.

First off, hats off to the Saline educators who adapted and evolved in a matter of days to meet the needs of our students!  I think they did an extraordinary job for our students!

Luckily, I think Saline has been at the forefront of online/ digital learning and is well equipped to continue these endeavors.  I think is imperative that we continue to support online/ digital learning.  Especially in an environment where not all parents and families may be entirely comfortable in a traditional school environment this fall.

A big part of the board's responsibility is budgeting and policy making. Describe your experience and/or skills in these fields?

As an educator, I am well versed in school policy and in school law.

On the topic of budgeting... Just like at my house, we (the board) will have to be good stewards of every dollar we receive, and we will have to live within our means.  We can continue to be a leader in education while also being financially prudent.  

Again though, I'm not naive and I know that some difficult budget decisions may be needed.  I believe in a balanced budget and I will work with stakeholders to protect the classroom and priorities of the community.  I have experience with school funding and with how school budgets are built and constrained.  I am ready to do this important work.

In my years as an educator I have also work with school leadership to develop policy.  School policy drives the work done by school leadership.  I am ready to roll my sleeves up and get to it. Furthermore, with regards to policy, the school district's partnership with NEOLA is of great assistance in making sure that policies are revisited and updated when appropriate. Thrun law firm provides legal advice to the district. I look forward to these discussions with fellow board members.  While here I will note one recent policy adoption- students speaking first at public comment.  Our children are students, getting them home so that they can do homework, etc and not having them wait until late in the evening to be heard, is a policy that I support all the way!

The move to an early start of the school year prompted discussion about year-round school. What are your thoughts on year-round school?

I'm not opposed to it.  I think the faucet effect (article) is real.  If we can minimize the impact of summer achievement loss, I think we should have the discussion.

That said, I think these decisions are best left to educational personnel and as a board member I would want to discuss year-round schooling with many, many individuals.  That includes teachers, administrators, and the Saline community as a whole.  Together we can make the best decision for our students.

A lot of the most contentious issues the district has seen recently are offshoots of the so-called “culture war,” whether it’s Planned Parenthood’s involvement with sex education curriculum, or including LGBTQ students in the district’s bullying policy. How will your religious beliefs, or lack there of, inform and influence your policy making?

I value the morals and beliefs that were taught to me in the church.  I am currently evaluating my own religious tenants and priorities.  But that's enough about me.

Personally, when I think about my Lord, and the teachings with which I grew up, I continually come back to this... "Love thy neighbor".

In Graham and Bryce's (my sons) classrooms are students who are LGBTQ.  I want Graham and Bryce to "love thy neighbor".   There will be students who have different backgrounds, including skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, etc... and again, I want my sons to "love thy neighbor".  

In the end, to specifically answer what I would do as a board member...  the Saline Area Schools is a public school environment where all students are welcome.  As such, my own personal religious beliefs will have absolutely zero impact on my ability to make school specific decisions.  I will make decisions based on my desire to support the education of all Saline students.