It’s been one month since my announcement and it’s been a great whirlwind of events, meetings, phone calls, visits, planning and more planning. The more I travel and talk to my fellow Idahoans, the more it’s confirmed: We are ready for a change. Leadership matters.

I have been overwhelmed by the support and daily texts/calls asking about ways to help me. The priority right now is fundraising and getting my name “out there.” Name recognition for a statewide campaign is critical along with the funds to support that outcome.

I have already attended several county Republican Lincoln Day events (with many more to come!). I have been at local Republican Central Committee meetings from Twin Falls to Blackfoot with a slew of upcoming central committee meetings calendared. I have been invited to speak to community service organizations, small groups, and large events. I am meeting with business and industry, educators, school administrators, parents, and community members.

From now until July 31, I have 10 personal events/receptions planned by friends where I can meet people from all over the state (and do some fundraising). That’s in addition to meetings, appointments and discussions from Sandpoint to Preston to Idaho Falls to Boise to Salmon and back home again. I am super excited! I am open for more visits and face to to face gatherings for interested folks.

I am working on a podcast series where I talk with a variety of Idahoans about education. I have recorded several last week and have several more this week. Look forward to seeing that on my website and social media channels.

I am humbled by the financial support and continue to share the urgency about change and my vision: RESTORE THE VALUE OF AN IDAHO EDUCATION.

We are only one month in and have gathered $63,000. It feels good to see contributors believe in the work I want to do and invest in change. I am confident this number will continue to grow and I am working to make that happen! I see great things ahead as we work together to gain more and more supporters. I need to continue to grow the campaign fund!

On a fuel stop from Boise to Oakley in Bliss 4 days ago, I ran into the store to get more car snacks. While I was paying, a lady walked up to me and introduced herself as a resident of Idaho Falls and said she wanted to be on my team, then gave me her number. I have had countless experiences just like this. Idaho is ready for new leadership!

Thank you for the support, in all its forms! There is a long, great road ahead and I am determined to be successful, not only for me, but for you and Idaho students. Spread the word and share the momentum!

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Hello!

It’s been ten weeks since my big announcement; I have been traveling the state, meeting Idahoans, listening and learning, and sharing my message. Spoiler alert: It’s been well received! I have talked with hundreds of people, and I have only met one person who said they were satisfied with the current state of educational leadership. It caught me off guard so much that I had to ask the follow-up question: Tell me what’s working? Their answer: “I am left alone, and no one makes me do anything.”

I don’t want that to be the commentary of Idaho education! We can do better than life support!

In the last four weeks, I have been to Blackfoot, Idaho Falls (three times), Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, Lake Pend Oreille Hailey, Twin Falls, Burley, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, and Boise. Next week, I head to Moscow, Lewiston, and McCall. I mention this to say that I am not auditioning to be Idaho’s next travel spokesperson but to show you how much I want to succeed. I will loop this state many times over to share my vision for educational leadership in the state.

This vision is:

RESTORE Value

UNITE Efforts for Student Outcomes

PROTECT the taxpayer investment in education

There are common themes as I travel the state and speak with parents, educators, and community members. I want to highlight those issues that align with my platform and my thoughts for a solution.

While visiting with a group of district personnel in the Boundary County School District, we talked about the severe shortage of workers for school districts. Positions like bus drivers, paraeducators, school psychologists, and many more school positions are difficult, and in some cases, nearly impossible to fill. School districts are no longer the first choice for those seeking solid employment. In this competitive job market— where McDonald’s pays $15an hour, offers a 401K, and provides two weeks of paid vacation— school districts are struggling to keep up.

So how do we help our districts?

We must address operational funds and provide districts the right flexibility to offer salary and benefits packages that can be more competitive in their communities. They do this by considering the local job market and leveraging district funds to add to state funding. They can’t do this so long as more than 90-95% of their budget decisions are made before they even look at their budgets. This means finding solutions for postponed or delayed maintenance and facility issues. We need to reduce the number of state-mandated “have-to’s” that tie the hands of local boards and limit their decision-making. It’s a frequent occurrence for school districts to consider replacing a 30-year-old boiler/upgrading ventilation at an elementary school or putting money into competitive salaries. We can help their efforts.

It may sound simple, but these two items carry with them needed relief and strategic fiscal control of education dollars. Supporting sound local financial decisions is one big way we protect the taxpayer’s investment in education.

In other news!

I have recorded ten podcasts with a variety of voices that represent many facets of education. They are loaded on my website; I encourage you to check them out! I continue to grow my knowledge of education, and I hope you will too. Podcasts and Media

I have a bitmoji that my daughter designed, and it’s been a big hit! It’s been made into stickers and a pin. Email me, and I will send you one! I am having fun sharing them and taking them to events.

Fundraising: I am happy to report that to date, my contributions total $78,150!! I have set a goal of $100K by the end of August. I’d love help getting there! 😉 Send folks my way that believe in education as a tool to better our students and our state! We are bringing people to the team every day.

The donations and the support continually humble me. I do not take it lightly!

AND FINALLY!

Drum roll, please… I have brought on a campaign coordinator! CeAnn Carpenter, a former high school science teacher, saves me from me and keeps me outlined and organized. You will see her along the campaign trail with me, and you will find her to be engaging, smart, and dedicated to our good cause.

She is ready to help you, help me!

This update may read a bit like, “What I did at summer camp,” but please know how much I am working to support our goals and vision for this great state. I care deeply and will not be outworked!

Please share our message and help me get the good news out: We Value an Idaho Education!

If you follow my social media pages, you will see that the campaign train is on the track. I need to let you know that in addition to simply sharing drive time, I am having meaningful education conversations and listening to Idahoans as we share similar goals and priorities

A common theme, wherever I travel, is school-to-career. This is a priority for me in my candidacy. While talking with a group of community members at the Fairfield Senior Citizen and Community Center, this topic was raised. People want their local students to have local opportunities and the skills to satisfy local workforce needs. Our high schools must provide these pathways, so students see how to connect the educational dots from their classrooms to careers! I want to support and lead districts to create local apprenticeships for students, externships for teachers, and practical graduation requirements. We can make our own ecosystems where schools prepare students and local industry delivers opportunities.

There is VALUE in career development, community partnerships and customizing a student’s educational experience and needs.

Fundraising:

I set a fundraising goal of $100,000 by the end of August.  I am happy to report we have officially met that goal two weeks early!

I hope this is added evidence of my ability to be successful in this elected role. Setting goals, working to achieve them, and seeing the results are how I do business and approach our state education needs.

I am thrilled and humbled by the generosity and support of Idahoans around the state. The support, financial and otherwise, energizes and drives me. In a mere three months, to be at this place is overwhelming in all the positive ways.Invite your friends to like my social media, to visit my website and to share my vision for Idaho students.

Our efforts are showing results.

On Another Note:

August 31 will be my last day as a member of Idaho’s State Board of Education. To focus on my statewide candidacy, I chose to step away from the Board. What a pleasure it has been to serve amongst the fellow appointed members. There's a long list of accomplishments over the past seven years and my service has been rewarding and full of learning opportunities. I look forward to returning to the state education table in a new leadership role, prepared to serve with the same desire and commitment for the educational needs of our students and communities.