Candidate for
School Director; Downingtown Area School District; Region 6

DASD School Director, December 2009 to present

• DASD schools boast continuous improvement in student achievement on Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA).

• Lowest DASD property tax increases in 25 years; NO TAX INCREASE for 2013!

• 2010 budget included $2 million in expenditure cuts.

• Addressed secondary level overcrowding:Board saved district $100 million by opening innovative magnet school, Downingtown STEM Academy which combines science, technology, engineering and math pathways, International Baccalaureate Curriculum and one-to-one laptop program housed in renovated 1930 original DASD high school. DASD is also currently building intermediate school for all district 6th graders.

• Board approved creation of DASD high school cyber academy program to encourage cyber charter students to return to the district and save money.

• Serve as chairperson for the Board Curriculum Council overseeing board and teacher leaders to collaboratively address educational issues.

• Current vice chairperson of the Finance Committee.

• Member of Student Life Committee.

• Served on the Policy Committee and Redistricting Steering Committee.

• School Director for the Chester County Intermediate Unit from July 2010 + January 2012.

• Addressed Pennsylvania School Boards Association 2012 conference on STEM education initiative.

As Financial Director for Countryside Consulting, LLC, I work part-time serving 8 not-for-profit clients including the Kimberton Waldorf School. Countryside Consulting is an Exton firm that provides financial consulting, controller and bookkeeping services.

Personal

I have been married almost 20 years and Downingtown/Uwchlan Township has been home since 1997. My son attends Downingtown STEM Academy and my daughter goes to Lionville Middle School. I have been volunteering for school related functions since my oldest was in preschool. Before the school board, I held office on the East Ward Elementary Home and School Association for 3 years, including serving as President from 2007-8. Look for me around the area walking our black Labrador retriever, Charlie!