I asked AI what makes a good school board member…

I had my own ideas about what qualities and skills define a good school board member, but I thought I’d ask AI to see what it had to say. Here’s what it came up with:

“A good school board member is focused on student achievement, possesses strong leadership and communication skills, and works collaboratively with others to serve the community. This involves understanding the role of oversight versus micromanagement, making informed decisions with sound judgment, and prioritizing student needs over personal agendas. A good member is also willing to learn, build relationships, and understand the district's goals, budget, and policies.”

I have to admit - I couldn’t have said it better myself. And as I read it, I felt a sense of affirmation that over my 20 years of running my own business, managing budgets for clients, and volunteering in our schools and local nonprofits, I’ve built and practiced these same qualities.

I believe serving on a school board isn’t about control or politics - it’s about service, trust, and teamwork. It’s about listening to diverse voices, understanding the issues, and keeping the focus on the success and well-being of our students.

I recently had a parent express her appreciation to me for running because she knows that I am the candidate that will support ALL of our kids - it was so validating to hear this because if I was forced to whittle down the reasons why I’m running into one sentence, that would be it.

I pledge to approach every issue and vote with integrity and open-mindedness -without pretense or bias. I pledge to handle board business with professionalism and respect, whether in the boardroom or out in the community. And I pledge to stay focused on the issues that truly impact our students and our district, not the hot-button issues that distract from what matters most. I pledge to challenge the status-quo when I feel it’s in the best interest of our district, but what I will NOT do is create and perpetuate division and conflict to further an agenda.

At the end of the day, my many years of experience managing staff and various teams has shown me that good leadership is about consistency, humility, and heart. It’s about showing up, listening, and working together to make our schools stronger - for every student, every teacher, and every family in East Grand.