I am a NO vote on the current plan for rezoning in the Forest district.

Any plan for rezoning must be coupled with a commitment from the board of supervisors to increase funding for the renovation, maintenance, and expansion of the impacted schools. This should have been addressed when the Board of Supervisors initially approved the high density housing and building projects that are driving the need for rezoning.

Any plan that I vote yes on would have to include the following provisions:

• “Grandfather Clause” so that students do not become displaced from schools they are currently attending.

• Funding commitment from the Board of Supervisors to meet the needs of impacted schools.

• A plan from the Board of Supervisors to address school funding and attendance impact of future approved building projects.

• A comprehensive transportation plan that addresses the increased commute times of rezoning in the future.

I strongly support a parent's right to be informed about decisions that affect their children in the classroom. I believe parents should have access to clear information about curriculum, classroom materials, and school policies. Additionally, I strongly support giving parents a voice in their children's education, ensuring transparency and collaboration between schools and families.

I believe that clear, transparent communication is the foundation of trust between families and the school district. Too often, important decisions like the rushed rollout of Yondr pouches or the current redistricting plan have caught parents and staff by surprise. That needs to change.

If elected, I will ensure that school board meeting minutes are not only posted promptly but also shared with clear, easy-to-read highlights that matter most to parents. Currently it is cumbersome and difficult to access those minutes and clearly understand what transpired at the school board meetings. I will also host monthly constituent listening sessions so I can hear directly from families about their concerns, ideas, and experiences.

The only way to represent the families in this district is to listen to the families in this district. This is my firm commitment to the constituents of District 4.

I’m deeply grateful for the dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to educate and support the children in our district. Every day, they take on not just the role of educator, but mentor, counselor, and advocate. This is in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances. I recognize the growing pressures they face, from larger class sizes to limited resources and ever-changing expectations. As a school board member, I am committed to breaking down the barriers that make their jobs harder. That means listening to teachers, addressing systemic issues, and working to ensure they have the tools, support, and respect they deserve. When we support our teachers, we support our students.

As a trusted local pediatrician, I have helped many families navigate issues regarding classroom accommodations and individual learning plans. I am a strong advocate for students with 504 Plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Every child deserves the support they need to succeed, and that includes oversight by the School Board to ensure that Bedford County Public Schools is fully implementing accommodations and services in the classroom. I have concerns about the shuttering of the Department of Education and what that means for oversight of the following legally mandated areas:

• The IDEA Act (Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act)

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

• The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)

It is more important than ever for the members on the BCPS school board to step up and ensure our most vulnerable students don’t fall through the cracks. I am committed to protecting special education resources and ensuring accountability at the district level so that no student is left behind.

It is time to get politics out of the classroom. Our teachers have a huge task when it comes to educating children every day - they do not need additional political pressure placed on them. Additionally, I believe parents have the right and responsibility to set forth the values and culture important to them in their own home, without having those values or cultural beliefs influenced or infringed upon by the public school system.

I am financing my campaign with my own funds and the kind donations I have received from the parents of this community. I am beholden to no political group and the only special interest that guides my decision making is that of the welfare of the children in this community.

As a pediatrician I have seen first hand what can happen when the classroom environment within a school building is unsafe. I support the following measures to help improve classroom and school safety:

• Maintaining a school resource officer (SRO) in every school.

• Metal detectors and weapons detection systems in all middle and high schools.

• Hardening of entry points into the school buildings.

• Hardening of classrooms to protect them in the event of a violent intruder in the school building.

Our children spend up to 40 hours a week in the school building. I want our children and the teachers and staff who selflessly work with them each day to be safe.

School board members should not be making decisions without understanding what is happening in the classroom every day. This also extends to decisions about transportation and access. With this in mind, I am committed to the following:

• I will attend one classroom session at the elementary, middle and high school level of instruction each quarter so that I can see directly what our students are learning and observe the hard work our educators are doing.

• I will participate in a bus route “ride-along” at least once a quarter so that I can better understand the nuances of transportation in our district and the challenges that parents, students, and bus operators face.

School board members need to be active and present in the district they represent. I am committed to this goal.

I oppose any additional funding for the requisition of Yondr pouches in the district and propose a revamp of the BCPS policy which maintains compliance with the “No Cell Bell to Bell” legislation put forth by Governor Youngkin.

As a pediatrician and I parent I am fully aware of the distraction that cell phones in the classroom cause. I am supportive of “No Cell Bell to Bell” but oppose the implementation and use of Yondr pouches to meet this objective.

Teaching students responsibility and individual accountability is a fundamental life skill. The ability to turn a cell phone off and put it away (“Off and Away” compliance) is a skill they must learn to be successful in the future. Many districts have successfully implemented “Off and Away” policies.

I do not support any additional funding for Yondr pouch purchases in the district and propose any remaining funds be redirected back to their originally intended purposes of improving school attendance and reading. The use of Yondr pouches as a step in the ladder of progressive discipline for students is something I would support, and students requiring Yondr pouches due to non-compliance with “Off and Away” should be required to obtain the pouches at their own expense.

I have a significant interest in understanding the demands and constraints regarding transportation and logistics in the district.

My son was on the bus at 6:50 AM when he was in elementary school. This is nearly an entire hour before instruction begins. There are many students who have longer rides. Redistricting will only compound this issue.

In order to better understand the transportation constraints I want to sit with the transportation director and get the entire transportation picture from the district. I also want to better understand what the day-to-day process for our bus operators looks like. To meet this goal I would participate in quarterly ride alongs while bus operators complete their routes. This will also give me insight into the safety of our buses.

I am grateful for the transportation department in the district and the dedicated bus operators who safely get my kids to school every day. I am willing to put my boots on the ground so I can better understand their work and break down barriers that stand in their way.