Committed to Excellence
in Our Schools and Our Community!

The leadership qualities I could bring to the OPS Board centers around my 37 years of teaching.  I was a member of the Metropolitan College Board of Governors, this experience is valuable when it comes to working with an educational board, and the role a board plays in running a large educational institution.    To set a positive learning environment for the students, staff, and community often starts with a positive and effective board of education, and I will bring a positive approach to all issues facing the OPS Board.

The graduates of the OPS system are prepared for the working world.  However there are many possible new opportunities in the field of education.  I feel that the OPS board could expand the number of opportunities available for our students.  Additional career academies, more vocational programs, and increase the Dual enrollment programs.  The State of Nebraska could look to programs in the surrounding areas and the different pathways those students have in earning college credit.  I know OPS could become a leader in this endeavor, since we already have a great magnet program, which would dovetail nicely with any college program.  I have also worked closely with State Legislators to expand “Dual Enrollment” opportunities for high school students, when I was a member of the MCC Board, and will continue to address the expansion if elected to the OPS Board.

There is a great movement in this nation to expand STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, and Math) education; this is where you will find the job of the future.  These are the programs we as a board should also be looking at to expand. I would also like to find a way to improve the teacher to student ratio.   This would allow more one on one time between teacher and student, which is a benefit for both the student and teacher.

The school district is an important factor when an employer is looking at whether to locate in the Omaha area.  The more positive the impression a company has of our schools the more likely a company would look at locating to the Omaha area. Thus maintaining a positive impression of the Schools benefits the entire community.