Strong Teachers Build Strong Schools

District 3 has some of the strongest teachers in Huntsville—experienced, committed educators who show up every day for our kids. Our elementary and middle schools prove what’s possible when great teaching is paired with strong systems: steady improvement, consistent growth, and classrooms where students thrive.

But across Huntsville, we see a clear pattern: students enter high school with strong foundations, yet their academic momentum often slows during those next four years. That isn't a reflection of our teachers' talent or effort. It's a sign that the systems surrounding them aren't giving them what they need to turn strong beginnings into strong finishes.

As a board member, I’ll work with educators and school leaders to fix the structures that stand in their way. That means:

Protecting planning time and keeping class sizes reasonable whenever the budget allows.

Aligning teacher certifications and assignments with student needs—not convenience.

Reducing disruptive, unnecessary staff reassignments that break continuity and stability.

Reliable Schools, Year After Year

Families deserve schools that feel steady—not schools that swing from strong one year to struggling the next. District 3 has great examples of consistency: Mountain Gap and Challenger have shown stable leadership, aligned instruction, and year-over-year growth, even as demographics changed.

But reliability is not automatic. It’s the result of clear expectations, stable staffing, and leadership that solves problems early instead of reacting late.

I’ll work to ensure District 3 schools stay on track by:

Strong, reliable schools in District 3 with transparent leadership, focused on student success, safety, and community engagement.

Strengthening leadership pipelines so principals and assistant principals have the support they need to lead well.

Stabilizing grade-level and subject teams to reduce avoidable disruption.

Using data transparently so families can see whether schools are improving or drifting—and why.

Our schools should be dependable. Families should be able to count on the same high expectations and strong instruction every single year.

Smart Dollars. Visible Results.

We owe families two things: responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and measurable results for students. After decades managing large, complex Army budgets, I know that strong outcomes come from strong systems—not just spending more money.

At the same time, when the data shows that an investment will genuinely improve classrooms or reduce pressure on teachers, we should fund it. The key is accountability: every major initiative should demonstrate a clear return.

On the Board, I will push for:

Clear, measurable goals for major spending decisions.

Regular public reporting on whether those dollars produced results.

Investments that directly improve teaching, attendance, safety, and learning—not administrative duplication.

Smart spending isn’t about spending less. It’s about spending wisely, transparently, and with a direct line to student success.

Safe, Supportive, High-Expectation Schools

Across the district, the schools with the strongest academics also have the strongest attendance. That isn’t a coincidence. Kids show up—and stay engaged—when schools are calm, predictable, and supportive. When absenteeism rises, learning collapses.

Safety and belonging are the foundation for everything else. But so are clear expectations. Students thrive when they know what’s expected and when adults apply those expectations consistently.

I will work to ensure every District 3 school is:

Calm and predictable, with routines students can rely on.

Focused on belonging and relationships, so every child feels seen and supported.

Clear and consistent in expectations, consequences, and communication.

When school culture is strong, attendance rises, behavior stabilizes, and students learn more. That’s the environment every child in District 3 deserves.

Real Transparency. Real Communication.

Parents shouldn’t need to dig through state databases to understand how their schools are doing. Families deserve honest, plain-language information—not spin, not jargon.

Right now, the district collects enormous amounts of data, but it rarely makes it to families in a way that is useful or clear. That lack of transparency erodes trust and makes real accountability impossible.

If elected, I will push the Board to require every Huntsville City School, including those in District 3, to publish an annual State of the School report that includes:

* What’s working

* What’s improving

* What needs attention

* What the plan is for the coming year

No jargon. No filters. Just honesty, clarity, and accountability. Because strong schools are built on trust—and trust begins with transparency.