Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
How long have you lived in the district?
I have lived in Worland my entire 50 years. I graduated from Worland High School.
Do you have children in the district? How do you feel this will help you in serving on the school board if elected?
Yes, a daughter. I have a vested interest in seeing the school district being the best it can be.
Why are you running for the Worland school board?
To serve the community, students and teachers. I want to help students achieve their goals and help put them on a good path as they enter adulthood.
Do you feel you have the time it takes to serve?
Yes, much like parenthood, we must make time to do all we can for students and their success.
What would you do to help the district bring back students who have dropped out? Do you feel it is important to try and bring back students who are attending online schooling or home schooling? Why or why not?
Yes, Mr. Miller has introduced Pathway Learning and White Hawk Academy. These programs offer students career paths and an alternative learning environment to ensure their success transitioning into adulthood.
Do you feel enough is being done regarding the mental health of our students? Why or why not? Do you have ideas on how to address this?
No. Our district needs to prioritize mental health. Our school needs more counselors in each building. This will help teachers and students. Teachers can teach and students can talk and learn strategies from one-on-one or group sessions with counselors. Mental is just as important as sports and activities. We must have both for a healthy school environment. Activities help kids find interest and give them a chance to belong. Mental health counselors make our students safer. They can talk and learn skills to work through their issues.
Do you feel enough is being done regarding bullying (online and in person) in the school system? Why or why not? Do you have ideas on how to address this?
No. We need more mental health counselors to collaborate with administrators on strategies and a cohesive plan to deal with this issue. Wyoming has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. This must be a priority on our campuses. Our state is currently plagued by teen suicide due to online encounters. The FBI put out a study on the increase of sexting among teens (especially boys age 14-17) in Oct. 17, 2022. Predators target the teen for sexual content and then blackmail them for more. In some cases this has ended in suicide. We must have more trained counselors to talk to students and parents on this epidemic.
What is the most important issue the school district is facing and how would you help address it?
Enrollment. As a member of the school board I would help the current Pathway Program and the alternative school. By focusing on transitioning students to working adults we do this through teaching, counseling and student/parent collaboration. All of these issues are intersecting. Each is important to the overall health and success of our students.
