Union Endorsement

Six Years of Perspective

After careful reflection on the responsibilities of serving on the School Board, I've decided not to seek the endorsement of staff union groups, including the teachers’ union, this election cycle.

This wasn't an easy decision. I've been grateful for the support of our union educators and staff throughout my years of service, and I've always been proud to receive their endorsement.

However, six years on the School Board has given me a deeper understanding of the responsibility that comes with this elected office. My obligation is to every student, every family, every taxpayer and every staff member in our district.

That responsibility requires independent judgment. School boards routinely make decisions involving employee contracts, compensation, working conditions, budgets, policy and superintendent oversight. Those decisions require balancing legitimate but competing interests. Students, families, employees, taxpayers and employee organizations will not always see issues the same way.

The scope of issues that come before school boards has also evolved. Collective bargaining now includes issues such as class size, and public employee organizations are advocating for changes in areas such as health care. These are important issues that may require a School Board to objectively evaluate proposals that affect employees, students, taxpayers and the long-term financial health of the district.

While previous endorsements have never determined my decision-making, I've also made decisions that may have disappointed our unions. That is part of serving on a School Board. Board members must be willing to listen carefully, ask questions, and ultimately make the decisions they believe are best for the district as a whole.

The question for me is not whether I can remain independent. I know that I can. It is whether seeking an endorsement from an organization whose interests regularly come before the board creates an unnecessary question about that independence. I have concluded that, for me, it does.

This decision doesn't diminish my respect for our educators and staff. I will continue listening to their perspectives, engaging in conversations, supporting fair working conditions and recognizing the extraordinary work they do for students every day.

I also believe a strong relationship between the district and its employee organizations is important. There is significant work we can and should do together, including advocating legislatively for adequate state and local funding, addressing unfunded mandates, strengthening special education and other essential services, and ensuring our schools have the resources necessary to meet the needs of our students.

If re-elected, I will continue to listen, work collaboratively and make decisions based on what I believe is best for the entire Stillwater Area Public Schools community.

I am deeply grateful for the support I have received over the years. I remain committed to our students, staff, families and community and to the difficult but important work ahead.