1.  What has been your involvement with the community and school district? Describe your leadership and volunteerism in the community. Did you or your children attend school in the district? Have you volunteered in or been employed by the school district?
I have served on the school board for the past six years. I also taught in the district prior to retirement. I am a graduate of Marshall County Schools. My daughter and grandchildren attended school in Marshall County as well. Within the community I have served on the board of North Mississippi Research Training and Development as well as Isiah Chapel Historical Museum.

2.  Why do you want to serve on your school board?  
Serving on the school board is a way for me to give back to my community. Having taught in the district, I am aware of the needs of the students, teachers, and the community.

3.  Students from low-income households often need additional resources to achieve academic success. What should your school district do to ensure that all students are successful?
As a low income area our students are in need of supplies, after school care, and lunch assistance. Our school district provides free lunch to all students. We offer after school care as part of a YMCA program and we provide supplies for students who are in need.

4.  What strategies would you support to create a safer school environment?  What can your school district do to address cyberbullying, mental health, and physical safety?
Our district has established its own police force with SRO officers on each school campus. Metal detectors and security doors have been installed for added protection. To address cyberbullying, mental health, and physical safety our district can provide additional counselors, monitor the use of district computers, and offer a way for students to report bullying.

5.  What do you see as the most pressing infrastructure needs facing your district?
Our district is rapidly growing and will need additional classroom space in the near future. Several of our school buildings are over 50 years old. The buildings will need to be replaced or renovated. Our school board is currently discussing how to secure funding for infrastructure.

6.  Mississippi school districts are funded by a mix of federal, state, and local funds. The state contributes to local school districts through the new Mississippi Student Funding Formula (MSFF). The MSFF is intended to fund teacher salaries, retirement and benefits, transportation costs, facility maintenance, utilities, special education, and other programs. What role will you play in advocating for full funding of MSFF for your district?
I will contact my legislators as well as other legislators and the Governor to ask that they fully fund MSFF.

7.  Vouchers for private school tuition divert public funds away from public schools and toward unaccountable private schools. Do you agree that tax dollars should be used for only public schools and not for non-public schools? Why or why not?
I do not support the use of vouchers for private school tuition. I strongly believe that tax dollars should be used for public school education. Diverting funds from public schools will weaken the public school system.

8. In Mississippi, academic standards are set by the Mississippi Department of Education and local districts choose curricula from an MDE-approved list. Do you trust educators in your district to teach using their professional judgment and training or should teaching be further regulated by school board policy or law? If you believe teaching should be further regulated, how so?
As a teacher I served on a MDE curriculum committee. Setting standards ensures that students throughout the state are receiving a uniform education. It is the responsibility of the school board to approve policies that ensure a quality education to all students.

9. Mississippi is experiencing a severe teacher shortage. What strategies will you support to recruit and retain high-quality educators?  
I support offering teachers incentives to retain them. Some incentives I support are: a housing allowance, increased local supplement, and bimonthly pay.