Statement on Suspending My Campaign

It is with a heavy heart that I announce a pause in my campaign for the Gardner Edgerton Board of Education. My family currently has a home under contract in a different part of USD 231. 

This change was unexpected. We had planned to move just one block from our current home and stay in BOE District 3, which would not have impacted the race. Unfortunately, the sellers of that home canceled our contract after we already had a buyer for our house. 

That left us only 15 days to find another home that works for our family of six. We chose one that works for our family—but it’s outside BOE District 3.

If this sale goes through, I will have to withdraw from the race at closing because I would no longer live in BOE District 3, which is required for my seat. However, if the sale falls through, I’m ready and committed to restart my campaign.

I haven’t spent any campaign donations to date. Should I be required to withdraw, I will be refunding the donations or donating them to the Gardner Edgerton Schools Foundation, to the extent allowed by law. While my campaign is suspended, I will not be accepting any additional donations.

I’m truly disappointed that I may not be able to serve our community in this role. Like many of you, I’ve been upset by the actions of Mr. Chapman. His choices to ban books, treat LGBTQ students unfairly, avoid public communication, and ignore committee duties do not reflect the values of honesty, inclusion, or community-focused leadership.

Whether or not my name is on the ballot this fall, I remain committed to public education. I will keep standing up for our students, families, and teachers. I will use my time to speak out against harmful policies from the current federal administration and its attacks on democratic norms. We have no kings in America.

Our public schools and our democracy deserve better. I will keep fighting for both.

  • Special Education

    USD 231 currently has to take $6 million out of the General Fund every year to supplement special education services due to lack of state funding. This takes away from every student and staff member. We need a strong advocate on our school board to work with our representatives to change their votes on special education. I have the experience and education to make this happen.

  • Student Success

    Our community is tired of seeing our School Board in the news for all the wrong reasons. It’s time we start focusing on what our students need to be successful in college and careers. I’d be honored to bring my experience in higher education and as an entrepreneur to the table and lead the way to student success.

  • Source of Information

    The Gardner-Edgerton Community deserves to know what’s going on with the school board. I’m committed to transparent leadership, providing clear and concise information on school-related news at the local, state, and federal levels. Private social media groups are an ineffective and undemocratic way to govern or lead.