why kelli?
Having great schools for our children to attend is a universal desire; it is undoubtedly a concept we can all agree on. I will be a school board member who works toward having a great school for our children. I will put the best interests of all students at the center of my decision making. I am committed to open communications, which means connecting with others, listening to understand and openly sharing information. I am dedicated to building the future of our school district on common ground. This means agreeing on the outcomes we are trying to achieve and working toward win-win solutions whenever possible.
Student-centered decision making
To find the best solutions for the challenges that face our district, I believe the concerns of students and the effect of decisions on students need to be considered. I will be intentional about listening to all stakeholders – parents/guardians, teachers, staff, administrators and community leaders – but I will prioritize the experiences of our students. I will also rely on data and experts to inform my decision making. I believe it is the responsibility of school board members to look at all sides of an issue and make decisions that both add value and do no harm. I will be an advocate for this approach to decision making.
Open Communications
When I’m passionate about something, like special education, diversity and mental health, I use my voice to advocate. But open communication also means I need to be an equally good listener. As a school board member, I will listen to those who share a variety of perspectives to make sure I have a broad understanding of issues, barriers and potential solutions. I will be honest and transparent about where I stand on an issue and maintain respect for those who disagree with me.
Building on Common Ground
There are some common ground issues that I think most of us living and working in Worthington Schools can agree are important: diversity and inclusion, student mental health, special education access and school safety, to name a few. Building on common ground keeps us focused on the shared outcomes we are trying to achieve, so even when we disagree about how to accomplish them, we agree on why they are important or at least that they are important. I will always attempt to bring us back to common ground principles that are reflected in our district mission and vision. Relationship building matters and is at the core of how I will approach being a school board member.
Areas of Focus
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Our district is not only growing in numbers, but it’s also growing in diversity. It’s crucial for our district to create school environments where all students feel seen and valued and have equal access to opportunities. I fully support the DE&I work of the Worthington Schools and its statement of commitment. We need to be open to having honest, empathetic and respectful conversations that increase awareness and bring about understanding. All voices need to be invited to and heard around the table when decisions are being made for our district.
Mental Health: These days students deal with so many challenges. It is clear stress, anxiety and other mental health issues can significantly impact learning. We must continue to invest in mental health education and resources, so students have the support they need. I believe it’s important that all school staff are trained to recognize student mental health issues and to help students and their families connect with assistance and resources.
Special Education: Many students learn differently than their peers. We are accountable for helping all students reach their fullest potential. That means providing the teaching expertise, resources and accommodations students need to be successful. I believe our students, parents/guardians, teachers and staff should have a clear and repeatable approach to advocating for needed services. This includes educating parents on what services exist for their children. All students should be provided equal opportunities.
Safety: Our district must be committed to keeping our students safe, both physically and emotionally, while they are at school. Our goal should be to accomplish both at the same time. To do this, I believe we must take a proactive, instead of reactive, approach to preventing harmful or violent incidents. This includes:
Creating opportunities for inclusive and respectful dialogue across all segments of our diverse school population.
Encouraging relationship building between students, teachers and staff.
Prioritizing mental health services.
Building action plans and providing training to de-escalate potentially harmful situations.
Securing our facilities with technology and processes that reduce external threats.
Worthington City Schools is already a great place for learning. Families move to the area to take advantage of all we have to offer their children. I’m committed to building on this tradition of excellence while helping us adapt to the changing world around us. I ask for your vote on November 2.