Bio
My forty years of experience in public schools will help me achieve these goals. This experience includes thirteen years of teaching at the elementary and middle school level, twenty-five years as an elementary principal, and two years as a guest lecturer and teacher-in-residence in the UNH Education Department.
I am quite familiar with the district’s K to 12 programs as my two children attended Little Harbour, Portsmouth Middle, and Portsmouth High School, and participated in many of the district’s extra-curricular programs.
Why I’m Running
I have lived in Portsmouth for over thirty years with my wife Karen and both of our children attended and benefitted greatly from the city’s K to 12 education system. Participating on the school board is one way I can thank and give back to the Portsmouth community. With four decades of experience as a public school teacher and elementary school principal I can work with other school board members, our school leaders, and the community on both long and short term goals and policies.
Goals
Support great teaching in Portsmouth
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Promote research-based instructional practices that serve all students
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Continue to improve the district’s evaluation system to support teacher growth and set high performance standards
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Continue to improve lines of communication with parents and the public
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Keep teacher salaries competitive to maintain high-quality instruction
Ensure learning takes place in real classrooms
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End the use of modular classrooms at Dondero Elementary School
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End using hallways and closets for teaching spaces
Invest every school budget dollar toward student learning
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Further develop in-house SPED programs that reduce costly out-of-district SPED placements and transportation
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Save money by successfully completing the redistricting plan
Monitor and Address Legislative and State Board education policies that impact Portsmouth
- State-wide funding and policies impact our district and we need to prepare the best we can for changes at both the state and federal level.