My priorities are clear: strengthen academics, restore financial stability, and ensure safe, supportive schools for every child. I bring real experience in education, finance, and technology—and a plan to deliver results the community can see.

👇 Here’s how we get there.

🔬 Curriculum: Why Families Stay—and Will Come Back

Mercer Island schools were once ranked #1 in Washington—but today, we've fallen to #5. Among the top 15 districts statewide, we now have the lowest math proficiency, second-lowest graduation rate, and fifth-lowest college readiness score.

Since 2019, curriculum spending increased from $11.17M to $13.5M—but after adjusting for inflation, that's a 3.5% real decline. Meanwhile, not a single major new curriculum initiative—STEM, literacy, or instructional redesign—was launched during that time. Most of the district’s $12M increase went to well-deserved staff compensation—but without new investments in curriculum, students haven’t seen the full benefit.

Families are voting with their feet. 34% of Mercer Island families now choose private or homeschool options—55% higher than the King County average. Our community is clearly calling for something better.

As a former Associate Professor of Human Resources and Business Strategy and a patent holder in AI-powered education, I know how to modernize academics. I’ll work to build a curriculum that brings Mercer Island students back by prioritizing:

• Evidence-based curriculum modernization

• Stronger math and science pathways

• Robust high-cap and on-site SAT preparation programs

• Restoration and expansion of special education and dyslexia services

• Alternate career training paths for students not pursuing college

• Programs aligned with real college and workforce expectations

• Give teachers the flexibility to assess and adapt to each student’s individual needs

Our kids deserve a world-class curriculum that prepares them for the future—and one that makes parents confident in choosing Mercer Island schools.

💰 Financial Stability: Rebuilding Trust Through Responsible Spending

Mercer Island schools are spending more—but seeing less return. From 2019 to 2025, the district’s overall budget rose from $65.7 million to $80.6 million, while resident student enrollment decreased 19.5%—the steepest drop in King County and more than five times the county average.

To maintain operations, the district has transferred over $13 million from long-term capital reserves into the general fund—money originally intended for HVAC replacements, building safety upgrades, and classroom modernization. This includes a projected $3.66 million transfer in 2025–26. At the same time, the failed 2025 bond asked taxpayers to fund HVAC and facility repairs again, despite these already being covered in existing levies—essentially asking Mercer Island households to pay twice for the same work. These diversions have left facilities aging and under-serviced, even as debt service climbs.

Despite high per-pupil spending, parent trust is waning: donations dropped 21%, volunteer engagement fell by 40%, and fundraising overhead rose 23%, reflecting concern about budget priorities. This spending-for-enrollment model—now heavily subsidized by capital fund transfers—is unsustainable without restoring community confidence and bringing families back.

The path forward is clear:

• Bring Mercer Island families back by restoring academic excellence and transparency

• Stop the double charge—don’t use overpriced bonds to fund projects already paid for by existing levies

• End capital fund raids and rebuild reserves for urgent infrastructure needs

• Refocus spending on classroom instruction

• Work closely with educators and students to design solutions that work in real classrooms

• Lead with budget integrity to boost confidence, stabilize revenue, and avoid future deficits

• Work with the community to build support for needed investments—not push through plans already rejected

I’ve built, sold, and turned around businesses while managing multi-billion-dollar budgets—and I know the discipline needed here. Let’s transform our finances—and our focus—so our schools become the first choice for every Mercer Island family again.

🛡️ Child Safety: Where Every Child Belongs

Nothing is more important than ensuring every child feels safe, supported, and protected at school. That includes making sure children have the right to be who they are and grow into who they want to be, in environments that are clean, modern, free of leaks, and backed by strong mental health and instructional support.

Yet families across Mercer Island have raised serious concerns—from bullying and privacy violations to infrastructure neglect. According to district data, only 16% of Mercer Island parents believe the district is doing enough to support student well-being. The Washington Assistant Attorney General has opened an investigation into the Mercer Island PTA for alleged violations of student privacy.

In addition, the district’s own Long-Range Facilities Plan shows widespread disrepair in elementary schools:

• Lakeridge Elementary has roof leaks, chimney safety issues, and outdated heating systems.

• West Mercer needs exterior door replacements and HVAC improvements.

• Island Park requires security upgrades and plumbing system replacements.

Meanwhile, all four neighborhood elementary schools face growing mental health and behavioral support demands, but lack the facilities and staffing to meet them.

We can’t ignore these red flags—and we can’t keep asking our teachers to solve these challenges alone. We must equip them with clear safety protocols, adequate mental health staffing, and ongoing training, so every child can thrive.

As a parent, youth coach, and longtime community volunteer, I’ve always prioritized inclusion and accountability. I’ll work to:

• Enforce stronger privacy and safety protections for all students

• Ensure facilities are modern, clean, and free from leaks and hazards

• Preserve and invest in all four neighborhood elementary schools

• Increase staffing and support for mental health and behavioral needs

• Provide teachers with training and resources to support safe, inclusive classrooms

• Create clear, accessible systems for families to report and resolve safety issues

By restoring trust, improving conditions, and ensuring every child feels safe and valued, we can bring back families who’ve left for private schools or homeschooling—because public schools must earn that trust every day.

📣 What’s Next

Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing key goals and concrete plans to support our students, staff, and families. But I can’t do this alone—I want your input. This campaign is about listening, learning, and building a better path forward together.

👉 Learn more about me
👉 Read about my teaching experience

Let’s build the schools Mercer Island deserves.