Putting Students First. Rebuilding Trust. Delivering Results.

Mercer Island schools face urgent challenges—declining academic rankings, financial mismanagement, and growing concerns about student well-being. I'm running for School Board with a clear, community-driven plan to turn things around.

📘 Academic Excellence

Restore the rigorous, future-ready education Mercer Island was once known for.

Mercer Island once ranked #1 in Washington. Today, we’ve fallen to #5. Among the top 15 districts statewide, we now have:

  • 📉 The lowest math proficiency

  • 🎓 The second-lowest graduation rate

  • 🚫 No major new STEM, literacy, or instructional initiatives since 2019

Curriculum spending has failed to keep pace with inflation, and 34% of Mercer Island families now choose private or homeschool options—55% above the King County average.

We will:

  • Modernize curriculum with evidence-based math, science, and literacy programs

  • Expand advanced learning, special education, and SAT prep opportunities

  • Create career-aligned pathways in AI, engineering, healthcare, and green tech

  • Empower teachers with the tools and support to differentiate instruction

  • Bring families back with an education that prepares every child for the future

💰 Financial Accountability

Protect taxpayer dollars, restore trust, and refocus spending on the classroom.

Since 2019, student enrollment has declined by over 900 students, yet the district’s budget has grown from $65.7M to $80.6M. To cover rising costs, more than $13M was drained from capital reserves meant for long-term building maintenance. Families were then asked to fund the same projects again through new bonds.

We will:

  • Stop double-charging families for facilities already covered by levies

  • Rebuild capital reserves and protect them from misuse

  • Invest in clean, safe classrooms—not bloated central office costs

  • Refocus spending on instruction, not administration

  • Work with the community—not around them—to gain support for needed investments

🛡️ Student Safety & Well-Being

Safe, inclusive, and supportive schools—for every student.

Only 16% of Mercer Island parents say the district supports student well-being. Cuts to nurses, delays in maintenance, and reports of unsafe conditions have eroded trust. Meanwhile, students need stronger social-emotional support, updated buildings, and a culture that truly reflects our community’s values.

We will:

  • Strengthen school safety and emergency readiness

  • Invest in clean water, air quality, and basic building maintenance

  • Reinstate health staff and expand mental health resources

  • Ensure schools are welcoming, inclusive, and responsive to all students

  • Train staff in de-escalation, cultural sensitivity, and special education supports

Let's Build the Schools Mercer Island Deserves

I bring real experience in education, technology, and financial leadership—and a plan grounded in what families have asked for. Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing specific, transparent proposals with opportunities for your input.

👉 Want to help shape the future of Mercer Island schools? [Join us here]

Together, we can restore excellence, responsibility, and trust—one step at a time.