Candidate Questionnaire: The Alaska Center

I answer every questionnaire honestly so Anchorage families know exactly where I stand. Parents deserve to decide what is best for their children. See my responses to The Alaska Center here. Submitted on February 13th, 2026. Spoiler Alert: They declined to endorse me. I appreciate them reaching out to let me know, they were the first group to offer that feedback.

What inspired you to run for the Anchorage school board, and what do you hope to achieve for students and families in Anchorage and Alaska? How do you see the role of public education in preparing students to be informed citizens and future leaders in Alaska, especially in relation to issues like clean air and water, healthy salmon habitat, climate impacts, and a strong democracy? (600 character limit) *

As a 20-year Air Force Veteran, Dad of two students, homeschool parent, and educator in ASD, I run because our kids deserve better than Alaska's near-last rankings. I want safe campuses where every child learns without fear, smaller classes by cutting waste, parental choice over bureaucrats, and local control by teachers/parents. Public education should prepare informed citizens through strong academics, critical thinking, & pride in our Constitutional Republic and Alaskan heritage. This includes responsible stewardship of clean air, water, and salmon habitats that support our way of life. Please upload a current headshot to be used in the event of your endorsement. *

POLICY QUESTIONS (CONFIDENTIAL)

The following questions will not be shared publicly beyond our staff and board for consideration of endorsement. We believe that investing in the education, community leadership, and civic engagement of our young people is critical to the long-term health and sustainability of our state.

Do you support having a student seat on the school board? (Yes or No) Yes.

OPTIONAL: Why or why not?

Yes, I support a student representative on the Anchorage School Board, as the district already has this advisory role through the Student Advisory Board. Giving students a structured voice fosters leadership, civic engagement, and pride in their education which is key to preparing citizens. The rep should focus on student experiences in safety, academics, and school environment, while respecting that ultimate decisions rest with elected adult members accountable to parents and taxpayers. This complements parental choice and local control, ensuring stakeholders are heard over outside agencies. Beyond a student seat on the board, how would you ensure students have meaningful input in school district decisions that affect their lives?

I would support and expand on the current Student Advisory Board, which already unites middle/high schools, allows resolutions on student issues, and feeds into the board. The goal is to ensure broader representation:

Establish monthly PTA/parent-student round tables (or virtual/in-person forums) rotating across schools/clusters, so every school, not just the most active, has a chance to share feedback on decisions affecting students (safety, academics, facilities, etc.). This could include student reps from each site presenting concerns, with summaries reported to the board for consideration. How would you encourage teachers, staff, and administrators to empower students to engage in the political process? As a school board member, what policies or initiatives would you support to help schools foster civic education, reduce barriers to participation, and inspire young Alaskans to take an active role in our democracy? (600 character max) *

I would envourage every adult to empower students in the political process through practical, fact-based civic education.

Strengthen existing curriculum to emphasize our nation's founding as a Constitutional Republic, key historical facts, citizen roles/responsibilities, and moral foundations.

Promote hands-on learning like mock elections, debates, and visits to government meetings to teach real participation without pushing activism over informed representation.

Encourage every household to attend community councils, fostering family involvement and understanding of local governance. While school board members do not directly control energy policy, schools play a vital role in preparing students for the future, including careers in a changing energy economy and an understanding of sustainability. Schools also make decisions about energy use in their facilities.

Do you support efforts to educate students about clean energy and sustainability while encouraging schools to adopt cost-saving, energy-efficient practices? (Yes or No) Yes. Do you believe Alaska should transition to 100 percent clean energy by 2050 to support pollution-free communities? (Yes or No) No. OPTIONAL: Why or why not?

Sweeping requirements risk escalating costs in Alaska, where energy is expensive due to remoteness and limited infrastructure.

ASD faces a structural deficit, driven by years of rising utilities, leading to cuts. Smaller districts have seen deficits from major energy cost increases from 'clean' mandates. Mandates divert funds from classrooms to uncertain transitions instead of practical priorities like smaller classes, safer schools, and stronger academics.

My focus is fiscal responsibility: prioritize affordable, reliable energy options that protect education budgets, guided by evidence. Racial equity and social justice are essential to strengthening both democracy and environmental protections. Communities most affected by climate change, pollution, and environmental injustice are often those historically marginalized and excluded from civic participation. Schools play a critical role in ensuring all students have access to an education that prepares them to engage meaningfully in society and understand the historical and scientific contexts that shape our world.

Do you support a curriculum that prioritizes science and accurate history, including land acknowledgments and the history of past injustices and their lasting impacts? (Yes or No) No. EXPLAIN: How should public schools help students understand Alaska-specific climate impacts—such as changes to salmon habitat, subsistence practices, and community resilience—while preparing them to participate in solutions?

Public schools should teach Alaska-specific climate impacts through evidence-based science curriculum. Focusing on facts about salmon habitat changes, subsistence practices, and community resilience to build critical thinking and pride in our state.

Integrate hands-on programs like "Salmon in the Classroom" to observe life cycles, habitat needs, and real effects like warming waters or altered runs which prepare students for careers in Alaska's resource economy.

Emphasize responsible stewardship, adaptation, and solutions grounded in local knowledge and innovation, without mandates or alarmism. Tie to core academics (reading, math, science) for strong outcomes. Do you support the right to freedom of gender expression and other expressions within schools? (Yes or No). No. EXPLAIN: School board members increasingly face political pressure around curriculum, science, and inclusion. How would you respond to efforts to undermine evidence-based education or exclude certain students or perspectives?

I am not a politician and answer to parents and students, not any special interest group.

I would respond to efforts undermining evidence-based education or excluding students/perspectives by insisting curriculum stay focused on the basics: rigorous reading, math, science, history, and critical thinking. No ideology belongs in classrooms, especially when it contributes to our nation's youth mental health crisis.

Every child must be included and respected without fear, but radical views or exclusionary pressures have no place. Decisions rest with parents and teachers through local control, ensuring safe, high-quality education that lifts Anchorage from near-last national rankings and builds real pride and purpose. OPTIONAL: Explain any additional policy priorities you wish you highlight that are not mentioned above, including school funding and other issues that are central to your campaign.

My top priorities:

Safe schools: Every child learns without fear through trained guardians and strong discipline with accountability.

Smaller classes & fiscal smarts: Cut admin waste and large building footprint and costs, to better fund classrooms and teachers.

Parental choice & local control: Parents, not bureaucrats and politics, decide their student's education.

Strong academics: Fix Alaska's low rankings with focus on reading, math, science, critical thinking. Equip teachers with the tools and support they need.

Student pride & purpose: Instill respect for flag, Constitution, American values, and responsibility daily.

These are what Anchorage families tell me matter most. I am a 20-year Veteran, Dad, and Educator.... not a politician, ready to deliver.