Amid the fast-paced and constantly evolving modern world, it’s easy to get immersed in the never-ending current of novel fads, advanced technologies, inventive educational methods and emerging ideologies.

Nonetheless, occasionally, it is advantageous to return to the fundamentals and reiterate the significance of public school, the principles we cherish and the objectives we aspire to achieve.

The primary functions of public schools are threefold: to develop a productive workforce, to nurture an informed citizenry and to facilitate social mobility.

These aims highlight the significance of offering each student a quality education that benefits not only individuals but also communities, states, and the world at large.

The initial goal of public schools is to foster the growth of a productive workforce that yields benefits for both the public and private sectors. This helps strengthen the economy and enhances individuals’ capacity to provide for themselves and their families.

The second objective is to cultivate an informed citizenry, ensuring that the majority of citizens are actively engaged and informed about government, community service, and elections, which brings benefits to both individuals and society as a whole.

The third aim, social mobility, encapsulates the American Dream, which regards public education as a means of attaining an elevated standard of living. It is a crucial element of public schools, providing students with opportunities to transcend their circumstances and reach their maximum potential.

To ensure that these three goals are met, school boards must continuously ask themselves whether they are meeting these objectives and preparing students to contribute to the workforce, participate in their communities, and rise above their circumstances.

As a candidate for the Redmond School Board, I aim to prioritize four key areas to achieve educational excellence in Redmond Schools.

The first objective is to enhance reading and math proficiency across all grade levels, elevating the bottom 50% in Oregon. To achieve this, we must set measurable targets for students to attain specific levels of proficiency in reading and math by the end of 3rd grade, and have the skills required for Algebra I by the end of eighth grade. Additionally, students must be on track for high school graduation by the end of 9th grade and graduate within four years.

The next priority is to enhance transparency by giving parents a more significant role in their child’s education and fostering a stronger voice. By providing parents with early access to the curriculum outline, they can comprehend the material their children will learn and how they can help their learning.

Incentivizing parents to collaborate with teachers in developing solutions and opportunities for improvement promotes a collaborative environment that prioritizes student success.

Additionally, school boards must respect parents’ ultimate authority to opt-out of course material they find objectionable and uphold their right to make well-informed decisions about their children’s education.

The third priority is supporting teachers by enhancing classroom infrastructure, providing professional development, and advocating for competitive compensation. Teachers’ primary role of teaching should not be compromised by other responsibilities.

The fourth priority is ensuring school safety with funding for School Resource Officers, regular safety drills and training, and enhancing structural safety of school buildings.

As a candidate for the Redmond School Board, I am committed to prioritizing these four key areas to achieve educational excellence and I hope to earn your vote on May 16 and support in this important mission.