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Together, we can get it DONe!

Don has been a dedicated advocate for students, families, and staff in our district. He spent many years volunteering for the PTO at Northside (now STEAM), where he trained others in financial stewardship, and served as PTO chair. His platform focuses on Financial Responsibility, Advocacy for All Students, and Cultural Awareness & Opportunity. 
Let's get our schools back on track. Here's how:
Cultural Awareness & Opportunity

  • Schools are stronger when community members are engaged and have ample opportunities for feedback.

  • Don advocates for proactive and continued conversations with different stakeholders to ensure all voices are heard. 

  • He supports engagement opportunities to listen to and amplify often marginalized stories and perspectives.  

  • As an enrolled member of a Native American tribe, Don understands the critical need for curricula to reflect accurate stories of underrepresented communities.

  • Don recognizes that families and students might be struggling, and understands the need for a focus on mental health. 

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Rebuilding trust

  • Don will work to rebuild trust within the community by actively listening to stakeholders, making decisions transparently, and prioritizing student outcomes.

  • Don sees the district’s financial instability and lack of trust as the biggest challenges. 

  • He believes that by stabilizing finances and reengaging with the community, the Board can rebuild the trust needed to navigate future challenges.

Financial stability

  • Don’s top priority is to improve the district’s financial stability. He plans to focus on increasing revenue, reattracting students to the district, and exploring innovative revenue-generating strategies.

  • A strong financial foundation will allow the district to prioritize student success and attract top educators, while meaningful community engagement will ensure long-term support for the district’s goals.

  • Don recognizes the need to critically examine the district’s expenses while focusing on increasing revenue. 

  • He advocates for avoiding short-sighted cost-cutting measures, instead focusing on attracting students back to the district and leveraging district assets for long-term financial health. 

  • He also supports continued collaboration at the county level to secure additional revenue through millages and state funding advocacy.

A Strategic Vision to Serve ALL Students
  • The Board must refocus on supporting all students, with strategic, long-term planning to ensure every decision is made with students’ success in mind.
  • Don advocates for meeting students where they are and supporting their individual needs, with a focus on literacy as a foundation for success. 
  • He supports implementing programs like UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) and ensuring that students across all grade levels have access to differentiated learning opportunities that challenge and engage them.
  • Don also emphasizes the importance of equity, ensuring that every school in the district provides high-quality curricula and resources.
  • Don will leverage his expertise to help the district formulate a strategic vision. Strategic planning involves forecasting for the next 3 to 5 years and ensuring that district objectives are aligned with budgetary goals.
Read More about Don in These Articles
This school board election is critical. Voters must choose three candidates who will ensure that our Ann Arbor Public Schools grow and innovate in a challenging time.
Listen to his Ideas in these Candidate Forums
If you are still looking for more information about Don's ideas, listen to these forums he has participated in.
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