The Issues

The Cedarburg School District has a robust foreign language program beginning in middle school. However, a great deal of research indicates the advantages of beginning foreign language instruction from a younger age, both with the intention of acquiring foreign language skills and for the benefits in overall brain development afforded through study of a foreign language. As such, I will look to expand foreign language offerings to the elementary grades beginning in 4K.

Bullying and mental health challenges have been on the rise among our youth. It is vital that our schools address this public health crisis through a robust, research-backed social-emotional learning curriculum. Our elementary schools have been without a program since the board’s removal of the elementary level Second Step curriculum in 2022, and paused the social-emotional learning curriculum at the middle school in 2024. I will work with board members to ensure curricular resources are in place across all grade levels within the district that meet the needs of our students.

Our district’s human capital, from teachers to principals and school psychologists, is one of its greatest assets. The dedicated professionals who serve our students day in and day out know what it takes to help each student be successful, and as such, deserve to have a safe forum to share their perspectives. If elected to the board, I would strive to foster more open dialogue between the board and school district professionals before critical decisions- especially surrounding curriculum and instruction- are made.

Healthy and balanced school governance means listening to and representing our full school community. More open dialogue during school board meetings with clearer summaries of the proceedings published for the community; efforts to engage across personal perspectives with the goal of understanding the needs of the whole community; and bridge building between Cedarburg residents, school district employees, and the board: these would all be founding principles of my tenure if elected to the school board.