Connected * Care * Committed
Problem Solving by Committee for Improved Student Outcomes
Implementing public policy is not an easy task, it is not black and white, and there are many variables that can affect the success of any given policy. Education public policy is no exception! This current reality can be mitigated with intentional policies and procedures. My objectives by committee are as follows:
Audit Committee
Tie Findings to District Goals
As a Licensed CPA with transferrable skills from a corporate Internal Audit background, the following objectives will be my focus in this committee:
- As part of the due diligence process, peer practice firm reviews will be included in the selection of external auditors.
- Consult with internal accounting staff and auditors on policy and procedures.
- Understand the objectives and procedures of external annual and special audits in order to facilitate requests in a timely manner.
- Ask if 3rd party survey results match random samples of face-to-face surveys of the same question - ie: Does everyone really feel safe?
Finance Committee
Accessible Accountability
As a Licensed CPA with transferrable skills from a corporate Internal Audit background, the following objectives will be my focus in this committee:
- Ask: Do planned expenditures support District priorities?
- As part of the due diligence process, peer practice firm reviews will be included in the selection of external auditors.
- Identify information related to performance and risk management assessments and how the information can be utilized in measuring the achievement of goals.
- Understand the objectives and procedures of annual financial statement external and special audits in order to facilitate requests in a timely manner.
Legislative Committee
Intent and Implementation
As a Legislative Analyst for the New Mexico Senate Tax, Transportation, and Business Standing Committee, the following objectives with be my focus in this committee and how students, families, and educators may be impacted:
- View and act on legislation through the lens of Conservative Values.
- Monitor the development and status of the recently passed HB7 and SB397.
- Anticipate and explore communication options available for parents and guardians to be notified if their child is exposed to specific topics or seeking specific care.
- Track the progress of recent state investments in Pre-K programs and the effects of reading scores at the kindergarten level.
- Monitor and anticipate endorsed legislation in the following Standing and Interim Legislative committees:
- Education
- Health and Public Affairs
- Health and Human Services
- Tax, Transportation, and Business
- Taxation and Revenue
- Interim Education Study
- Interim Legislative Finance
- Interim Health and Human Services
- Interim Public School Capital Outlay and Oversight Task Force
Strategic Committee
Evidence-Based Policy and Procedures
As a Global Market Trader focused on Breakout Strategies with directional conviction, my objectives for this committee will be focused in many areas:
- Ask: Is the District preparing our kids for 21st century Learning, Working, and Living?
- Focus on statistical data survey outliers to identify potential policy changes.
- Confirm that current educational programs in place can be supported with verifiable evidence and can be directly tied to student outcomes and achievement goals.
- Look for “success” stories of programs that work.
- Promote a culture of preserving and the sharing of “Institutional Knowledge” acquired by experienced educators to share with new educators.
- Identify local issues that may prevent potential educators from locating to our area and provide potential solutions to help alleviate any barriers.
- Investigate the utilization of "Teaching is a Listening Profession" in reading and math literacy lessons.
- Investigate if the role of sight words has changed in the current reading curriculum.
Economic Development - Career and College Ready
PreK, K-12 Plus, Higher Education, and Economic Development ... What is next?
Many districts within the state of New Mexico are experiencing lingering issues of low reading and math proficiency scores, low graduation rates, and chronic absenteeism. These are reliable predictors of future economic and social outcomes for students later in life.
To mitigate these issues, New Mexico has invested heavily in these risk areas for all students of our state. The most current evidence-based options that have been signed into law include increased instructional hours and increased salaries for public school educators and administrators.
New Mexico, as well as FMS District, have also invested in college and career technical programs that provide current, relevant, and exciting career technical pathways and dual credit learning in conjunction with San Juan College. Many work-based learning internships are available in partnership with a diversified range of local businesses that help students learn on the job life-long skills such as communication and teamwork.
My first official job was the result of participating in a high school program work-based class sponsored by the Distributive Education Club of America (DECA) during my senior year. That first job opened many doors for me after graduation and allowed me to pursue an education that led to many unique areas in my professional career. This experience instilled a life-long journey of skill building that I can capitalize on that continues to this day.
By collaborating with the Workforce Solutions and Economic Development Departments of New Mexico, the Board, the Superintendent, and the FMS Executives will be helping to create a high-skill workforce that will be able to meet high-skill, high-growth industry demands here locally and for those who chose to stay within New Mexico.