Investing in All Students
I believe that every student deserves a fair shot, no matter where they come from or what their family’s income is. I support free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs, so every kid in Ogden can count on two good meals at school. It shouldn’t matter if a family lives in a wealthier part of town or a low-income neighborhood. Every school in Ogden needs to have the right programs and support in place to help students do their best.
I think it’s just as important to ensure our special education students and their families receive the support they need. That means having well-trained staff and enough resources to help them grow. Special-ed funding is at risk at the federal level, so Ogden’s leaders need to ensure these students are not left behind.
In addition, our diversity makes us stronger. Ogden’s schools are some of the most diverse and multicultural in the State of Utah, with over half of Ogden’s students being Hispanic. Investments in language programs and in hiring staff who reflect our community will ensure that our students receive the education they deserve.
Fair Representation for Faculty and Staff
If we want great schools, we need great teachers. To attract and keep them, we must treat teachers as the professionals they are. I support collective bargaining to help improve education in Ogden. When teachers have a real say in their working conditions, pay, and benefits, everyone benefits, especially students. I want to build on recent progress to improve teacher retention and make Ogden School District a place where educators want to stay and grow. Teachers are not interchangeable. They deserve respect, fair pay, and the support they need to do their jobs well.
Student and Teacher Wellbeing
Students and teachers need access to mental health support in our schools, and staff should be trained to recognize when someone is struggling. We also need to talk about screen time, social media, and artificial intelligence, which are changing how kids learn, socialize, and see themselves. We cannot ignore these changes or ban them completely. Instead, we should teach students healthy screen habits, safe social media use, and critical thinking.
Additionally, bullying, whether in-person or digitally, is a serious threat to students' well-being. What happens online can follow kids into the classroom, lunchroom, and their homes. We need transparent guidelines, consistent enforcement, and education that teaches empathy and accountability, both in person and online.
Safe and Supportive Learning Environments
School should be a place where students and teachers feel safe. This means building environments where everyone can learn, grow, and be themselves without fear of judgment. In Ogden, we face real challenges. In recent years, there have been multiple incidents of violence in Ogden School District. This has left emotional scars in the hearts of faculty, students, and the Ogden community as a whole. We need to be honest about school safety concerns, from fights and violence to threats that disrupt learning. I believe in adequate security measures where needed, strong relationships between schools and law enforcement, and investment in prevention through mental health resources and school cultures that foster students caring for one another.
Safety is about building schools where students feel connected to their teachers and each other, are engaged in learning, and know adults truly care about them.