Where I stand.

For more than five years, student enrollment in Saline has been dropping. Let's fix that.

Families choose Saline for its schools. Strong academics, strong programs, and top-tier facilities are how we keep them choosing Saline — and bring more families in. Both will directly and positively help enrollment. Let's get those numbers back up.

Our responsibility is to make sure every student who leaves Saline is prepared to succeed in whatever comes next. That requires high expectations and multiple types of opportunity.

Saline's new strategic plan takes a very important step in that direction by recognizing multiple pathways to graduation and success. For one student, that could mean acceptance into a highly competitive university. For another, it could mean entering a skilled trade, joining the military, or completing a technical education program. All of which should be celebrated.

We need to help students discover those opportunities as early as possible by connecting their interests and strengths with meaningful academic, career, and extracurricular experiences.

The budget should provide top-tier resources and facilities for athletics and extracurricular activities.

Given our seasons, an indoor facility that allows year-round practice and competition would be a major benefit to students. It would also help the budget: it can be rented out when the district isn't using it, bringing in new revenue for the district and easing the burden on classroom budgets.

I'm running to support our students, teachers, and staff. For almost a decade I was a player representative for the MLB Players Association and worked extensively with the union and in collective bargaining negotiations. I've sat at that table.

That experience will help foster strong relationships between teachers and administration and encourage successful negotiations — with the common goal of helping our students thrive.

The number one budget focus should always be keeping money in the classroom, where it directly helps student achievement. That means providing the necessary upgrades and tools to create a more productive learning experience across the board.

A school board works best when it works like a team. People with different perspectives and different opinions can work together effectively when they stay focused on the students and the district as a whole — and Saline's board has shown that it can.

Being an effective board member means knowing where the board's responsibilities begin and end, understanding district policy and finances, and recognizing that no individual board member has sole authority.

Challenge ideas without attacking people. Listen before reaching conclusions. Make decisions together. Seven people, one voice — all focused on doing what is best for Saline students.