This is it, folks. I promise, the first stanza of The Road Not Taken is as heavy-handed as I will get. I’ll spare everyone a philosophical dissertation of this experience, but I admit I struggled mightily on how I wanted to close out this campaign. Unlike the poem, I do not get to choose the direction I go. That is up to the voters.

Yet, I suppose that isn’t entirely true. If it turns out that I am unsuccessful in being elected, does that really change the ultimate goal of supporting our district? Of course not.

We all knew a blog on finance was inevitable. The topic is a constant presence, hanging over any discussion about the district like a dark cloud. Of course, we can all agree that this is necessary and both Jon and I have been clear about how we view the situation. I am on the record as saying this is not an expense problem, it is a revenue problem. On the other hand, Jon has said that it is both a revenue and expense problem. To illustrate this point, the image below (hereafter referred to as ‘Comparison Report’) was shared by his campaign.

I’ve repeatedly heard that this job is about being able to ask the tough questions. But that practice doesn’t stop at district leadership, staff, or teachers. These tough questions must also be directed toward our board of directors.

With reports over the weekend of staff reductions at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation, it is important to recognize how our district supports students with disabilities and their families. As a father of a child who has been diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and anxiety disorder, special education is incredibly close to my heart. Disability rights have never been foreign to me, but you have a fundamentally different understanding once you experience it within your family. 

Though we received his diagnosis only recently, we recognized early on that he would need additional support. Starting at 18 months, he was enrolled in programs to nurture his growth and development. We reached out to the county for services, but he didn't qualify, so we paid privately and continued that after moving to Prior Lake. 

There is something special about homecoming. It’s more than a football game or a dance. It’s the moment when the entire community gathers—parents, grandparents, alumni, and students—sharing the same bleachers, cheering for the same team, and celebrating the same schools.

As an alumnus, I remember that pride. It’s what inspired me to return to this district with my two kids. I wanted them to grow up in a place where schools are more than classrooms, they are the heartbeat of the community. They are where children discover who they are, what they can achieve, and how they’re connected to something bigger than themselves. That sense of tradition and belonging is part of what makes this district special.

I have to say, I might have made a slight miscalculation when I decided to run for local office as I begin my life as a kindergarten parent. Don’t panic, I’m not having any second thoughts. I think what troubles me is that someone else is now responsible for ensuring their safety for the majority of the day. Until now, we have been responsible for their protection and well-being. Given the level of violence throughout the country and what we have seen in this state alone, you can understand my anxiety. Coupling this with the fact that I do not see them nearly as much because of the campaign, and it has been a major struggle for me to work through.

Welcome to the new school year!

For most of you, this is nothing out of the ordinary. For me and the other kindergarten parents, this is brand new territory. I can only hope that Kaylee and I have done everything we can to prepare our kiddos for this next chapter.

This, of course, begs the question: how will we know if we have been successful? How will we be able to determine whether we adequately prepared them for what is next? I suppose being able to write their name, count to 20, or recognize their ABCs would be a fairly decent indicator of success.

Today marks four weeks since I filed my candidacy for Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools school board. To mark the occasion, I want to share a few thoughts on my vision for our students, the district, and our community.

Before I do that, I have to say thank you. Thank you to everyone who has asked a question, made a donation, offered support, or shared something on social media. The response has honestly been overwhelming (in a good way) and I am still trying to comprehend all of it. I wish I could thank each and every one of you individually. I do not know if you will ever understand how truly grateful I am for the trust you have placed in me.