Experience & Priorities
Serving on the Marin County Board of Education since 2025
When I joined the Marin County Board of Education in February 2025, I brought decades of experience in education. But I also came ready to learn.
County boards of education have a distinct and not widely understood role in California’s public education system. Our responsibilities include oversight of the County Office of Education budget and Marin’s Community School, hearing appeals involving interdistrict transfers and student expulsions, and fulfilling other responsibilities established under California law.
Source: Marin County Office of Education
What I've learned
Serving on the Board has given me a much deeper understanding of Marin’s education system and of the relationships among the County Board, County Office of Education, and our local school districts.
I’ve had the opportunity to meet committed school board members, superintendents, educators, active parents, and other education leaders from throughout Marin. Those connections have shown me both the complexity of our county’s education system and the depth of commitment among the people working on behalf of its students.
Some of the Board’s responsibilities involve decisions that directly affect students and families. Hearing appeals involving interdistrict transfers and expulsions has reinforced for me that governance decisions have real consequences for young people, sometimes at very difficult moments in their lives.
Supporting Marin’s Community School and learning more about MCOE’s career and technical education programs have shown me the importance of providing students with different pathways and supportive environments in which to succeed. I’ve also gained a greater appreciation for the breadth of expertise and services MCOE provides to schools and districts throughout our county.
A record of service
In my first year and a half on the Board, I have worked to be a thoughtful, prepared, and effective trustee. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to contribute in that time.
Bringing a statewide perspective to Marin.
As our Board’s representative to the Association of California County Boards of Education (ACCBE) and the California School Boards Association, I have connected with county board representatives from around California. Those relationships have helped me understand how other county offices operate, where Marin is leading, and where we can learn from others.
Encouraging thoughtful policies on cell phones in Marin schools.
Working with fellow Trustee Jill Manning Sartori, I championed a Board resolution encouraging Marin school districts to establish policies addressing student cell phone use.
Strengthening Board governance.
I worked with MCOE and ACCBE to help initiate the Board’s first retreat and self-evaluation process, with the goal of strengthening governance and building a more effective, collaborative relationship with the superintendent in service to Marin residents and school districts.
What matters to me
Supporting the whole student
I believe students can experience both rigor and joy in learning. Academic achievement matters enormously, but it isn't the whole story. Students also need to feel that they belong and are valued. They need opportunities to develop confidence and empathy, discover their strengths, think critically and creatively, and learn to communicate and work well with others.
Recognizing many paths to success
College is an excellent path for many students, but it isn't the only path to a meaningful future. I support opportunities that expose young people to different careers, technical skills, mentors, and real-world experiences while maintaining high expectations for every student.
Preparing for a changing world
Technology has transformed education throughout my career, and artificial intelligence will bring changes we are only beginning to understand. Schools need to respond thoughtfully, helping students learn to use new tools while developing the judgment, curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and human skills that technology cannot replace.
AI also has the potential to reduce administrative burdens and help educators and school systems work more effectively. Used responsibly, these tools can free up time and resources for what matters most: supporting students and learning.
Effective, collaborative governance
I believe board members should come prepared, ask thoughtful questions, exercise responsible oversight, and respect the expertise of the professionals responsible for implementation.
Good governance also requires collaboration and a shared commitment to getting the work done. I want to continue exploring how the independently elected County Board and County Superintendent can work constructively together, within their respective responsibilities, to support priorities that benefit Marin’s students and schools.