Frequently Asked Questions

Are you affiliated with any group?

No — I’m running independently and am not affiliated with or funded by any group or organization.

You say your independent, what does that mean?

I do my best to understand and respect all perspectives. I tend to lean a little left when it comes to helping people who are struggling, and a little right when it comes to holding people accountable when they’re doing things they shouldn’t.

What will you do to reduce our property taxes?

I believe we need to take this issue seriously and approach it collaboratively. I would propose creating an ad hoc community committee to study property taxes and identify practical solutions.

Recently, I spoke with a homeowner who is paying nearly $2,500 a month in property taxes and insurance and is considering moving because our rates are no longer competitive with neighboring communities. That’s a problem we can’t afford to ignore.

By bringing residents, local officials, and financial experts together, we can examine where our tax dollars are going, explore efficiencies, and find ways to relieve the burden — with full community involvement and transparency every step of the way.

Who are a few national political figures you respect?

I'm not really into politics, and don't believe politics should be involved in our school board.  Our board should represent all members of our community, and be independent of any political influence.

How would you describe your personal political affiliation and/or ideology?

I don’t believe partisan politics should play any role in our school board. The board exists to represent the entire community, and I want it to remain independent of outside political influence. My own affiliation is independent — I try to look at the facts, consider what’s best for students and families, and make thoughtful decisions without simply following the crowd.

Why should I vote for you?

First, because I’ve done this before. For nearly 10 years I provided oversight of a 80 million annual grant to the State of Iowa. I know how to manage complex budgets, ask tough questions, and ensure accountability.

Second, because I’ve been doing the work. I attend board meetings, monitor legislation, review policies and contracts, and speak out when risks appear. I don’t just talk about what needs to be done — I show up and stay engaged.

Finally, because our district has no policy for AI or AGI — and we can’t wait. These technologies will arrive during the next board term, and if we don’t prepare now, we’ll be reacting instead of leading. We need solid policies, processes, and staffing models in place to manage AI-driven education responsibly.

As a software developer and cloud engineer who has worked with major international corporations on preparing their data and infrastructure for AI, I bring the technical expertise our district needs right now — as we begin shaping AI curriculum, updating staffing models, and ensuring our community understands the changes ahead.

I’m not running to be a career board member. I’m asking for just one term — to help establish strong AI and AGI policies, and prepare DCG for what’s coming: Artificial General Intelligence and dynamic AI tutors by 2030.

When was your last visit to a public school?

I attended parent-teacher conferences just last week, and attend the school board meeting monthly.

Do you agree with the DOGE Committee’s recommendations about IPERS and merit pay? Why or why not?

It depends. If a 401(k)-style system offered equivalent employer matching and benefits similar to IPERS, it could be worth exploring — but only after hearing directly from teachers. We need to make sure any change helps us stay competitive and retain great educators.

How would you handle immigration raids during school days?

Schools should follow the law while also protecting students and staff. If law enforcement presents a valid warrant, administrators should carefully review it — ideally with legal counsel — to confirm its scope and ensure all procedures are handled appropriately and respectfully. This process takes time and care.

Do you believe teachers are indoctrinating students? Why or why not?

Not at all. I’ve known many teachers in this district for over 25 years — they represent a range of political and personal beliefs. From what I’ve seen, they’re focused on teaching and supporting students, not pushing agendas. Of course, personal perspectives can surface in any profession, but our teachers are dedicated to helping kids learn how to think, not what to think.

How do you feel about the President’s Executive Order banning DEI in public schools and universities?

I don’t expect this to have any meaningful impact locally. Our teachers and staff truly care about every student and consistently go above and beyond to help all kids succeed.

What should happen if a parent has a complaint about curriculum?

The first step should always be conversation. Parents should talk with teachers or administrators to understand the lesson and see if there’s an accommodation that works for everyone.
Even when beliefs differ — for example, on topics like the shape of the Earth(flat versus round) — we can usually find respectful, educationally sound solutions that support the student while maintaining academic standards.

What motivates you to run for school board?

I’ve lived in Grimes for 25 years and have known many school board members, superintendents, and principals. I’ve followed the board’s work closely for years, but when I attended the 2023 school board candidate forum, I saw firsthand how political agendas were starting to creep into the discussion. That concerned me deeply.

Since then, I’ve been attending nearly every board meeting, reviewing board packets, policies, and contracts, and speaking up when necessary. I’m running because I want to:

  • Strengthen parent engagement policies.

  • Ensure our infrastructure projects get approved and completed.

  • Bring my professional background in software development and cloud engineering to help the district prepare for the rapidly increasing role of AI and, within a few years, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).

What’s the most important thing our school needs right now in your opinion?

The safety and security of our students is paramount. We need to move forward with our infrastructure plan so families can be confident their kids are safe in school.

What employee background checks should be used?

Schools should use a full, layered background check process that includes:

  • FBI fingerprint check – for federal records (required by law)

  • Statewide criminal history check – through the state bureau of investigation

  • Sex offender registry check – both state and federal

  • Child abuse/neglect registry – verifies child welfare findings

  • Local court records – captures county-level offenses

  • Employment verification – confirms work history and school-related experience

  • Education and license verification – checks degrees and certifications

  • Reference checks – evaluates professional conduct and character

This thorough approach helps keep our schools safe while being fair and consistent.

What are your priorities for the district?

Right now, infrastructure improvements are a top priority — especially IT systems that can support the coming wave of AI tutors and, eventually, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) learning tools. Preparing for that future starts now. I believe our other priorities are improving communications and feed-back loops, and developing a comprehensive AI and Artificial General Intelligence(AGI) policy and strategy.

How will you handle the teacher shortage?

We need ongoing, open communication between teachers and administrators. Listening to teachers’ concerns and responding proactively will help with retention and morale.

How do you feel about private school vouchers?

II understand the intent behind vouchers — to give families more choices in education. However, I believe voucher amounts should be adjusted when private schools already benefit from public resources — such as access to public sports facilities, participation in shared programs, or other publicly funded opportunities.

Additionally, many private schools have the ability to select who can attend, operate with limited transparency or financial oversight, and sometimes deny access to students with special needs. If they’re not held to the same standards as public schools, their funding should reflect that difference.

In short, if private schools are already receiving public benefits, it’s only fair that their voucher funding be reduced accordingly — they shouldn’t be able to have their cake and eat it too.

Who should determine curriculum content?

Curriculum should be reviewed and approved by a committee that includes educators and community members. As AI becomes more integrated in education, we’ll also need stronger technical and ethical oversight to ensure curriculum remains high-quality and balanced.

Can you show me how we are falling behind other school districts in regards to AI?

Type this into ChatGPT for current and closed AI contracts for public schools. This will show you what other school districts across the nation are doing.

“Give me a list of current public school contract opportunites for AI”

What is the biggest problem facing our school right now? How can we fix it?

We lack clear policy and a long-term strategy for AI and AGI. Without those, we risk reacting to changes piecemeal, instead of leading with thoughtful planning that puts students first...let me explain.

My two granddaughters in kindergarten (in a different school district) already use iPads and AI-based tools to learn to read.

* Do I know exactly what content those AI tutors are teaching? NO
* Do I have confidence their school district understands the content that AI is teaching them? NO
* Does their school district have clear district policies, procedures, and safeguards for AI in the classroom? NO
* Is their district preparing for the 3-10Gbps bandwidth requirements which will be needed as more AI/AGI on-line learning is implemented?  Not sure, but doubt it

I also believe the district should not rely entirely on vendor-provided AI learning platforms, where the vendor dictates the content. In the future, school districts must establish curriculum committees to provide oversight and guardrails for what AI and AGI systems are teaching our kids.

We can fix it by developing a plan and strategy.  Below is an example:

2025–2026: Laying the Foundation:
Form an AI/AGI Task Force (teachers, parents, students, community)
Conduct an AI Readiness Audit (tech, equity, training gaps)
Draft Interim Guidelines (safe/ethical AI use, vendor transparency)


2027–2028: Building Structure & Capacity:
Adopt a District-Wide Policy Framework (safety, equity, accountability)
Invest in Teacher Training + “AI Coaches”
Pilot Approved AI Tools (measure student success, equity, workload)


2029–2030: Preparing for AGI:
Establish an Office of Digital Learning & AI
Require district approval for all new AI/AGI tools
Integrate AI/AGI as a support tool — keep teachers in charge
Ensure transparency: reports, parent/student advisory boards, appeal process
Plan ahead for 2030+: bias, job shifts, misinformation

Bottom line:
If DCG starts now, we can build clear, equitable, and sustainable policies so that by 2030, AI and AGI will strengthen public education — not undermine it.

Do you hold any religious beliefs?

Yes, I am a person of faith, and I was a member of Grimes United Methodist for 20 years.

As a board member, how would you make school a welcoming place for all students?

By making sure our district has strong, inclusive policies and open lines of communication. We should always keep a feedback loop between staff, parents, and students to make sure every voice is heard and valued.

How do you feel about the U.S. Department of Education possibly allowing prayer in public schools?

DCG already provides appropriate facilities and policies for students who wish to pray, so I don’t anticipate this change having any real impact here.

How would you handle paraeducator and substitute shortages?

Along with raising pay and offering growth opportunities, we should make sure paraeducators feel respected, heard, and included in decision-making. Regular feedback and recognition go a long way toward keeping great people in these important roles.

If there is a complaint about a book, how would you handle it?

I’d follow the board’s established policy for reviewing and addressing book complaints, ensuring the process is transparent and respectful.

Will you lobby lawmakers on public school issues?

Yes. I’d especially advocate for better understanding and guidance around AI and AGI education policy. These technologies are already in classrooms, and lawmakers need to understand their impact so we can create smart, safe, forward-thinking policies.

Why am I running now?

I didn’t set out to run—I was attending meetings simply to stay informed. But after nearly two years of attending school board meetings, I noticed some important gaps on the board: government accounting and financial oversight, and IT/cybersecurity. Those are my strengths. I’ve helped organizations transition to AI, and I understand the challenges our district will face over the next five years—modernizing IT for safe, effective AI on a very tight budget. I’m stepping up to help.