Safe Schools: A Parent’s Perspective

Every parent knows the feeling. You your child off at school and trust that they’ll be safe, supported, and cared for. Safety isn’t just about secure doors or cameras; it’s about creating an environment where every child can learn without fear, distraction, or disruption. For me, as a mom and lifelong advocate for others, ensuring that safety is real will always be a top priority.

Wayzata’s school board has long identified student and staff safety as a core responsibility. District leaders emphasize both physical security—investments in facilities, emergency preparedness, and secure entries—and the social-emotional side of safety, like strong behavior policies, fair discipline, and accessible mental health supports. Teachers have voiced concerns that staffing cuts and schedule changes have increased disruptive behavior and stretched their ability to manage classrooms effectively. Families, too, have stressed the need for consistent communication and transparency around safety incidents.

When schools are safe, students can focus on learning. When they are not, everything suffers. Safety is not just about preventing worst-case scenarios. Safety also means making sure every student feels they belong, that their classroom is a stable place to grow. Our schools are among the best in the state, but we cannot take safety for granted. The foundation of excellence is trust. And trust starts with knowing our kids are safe.

My entire career has been dedicated to protecting others. As a prosecutor, I stood up for victims of crime. In animal rescue, I fought for vulnerable lives with no voice of their own. And as a mother, I’ve advocated every day for my children. This experience has shaped how I see my role on the school board: to be a protector and an advocate for every child in our district. I align closely with the district’s current approach: physical safety, consistent discipline, and strong mental health supports must work hand in hand. I also believe we need to listen closely to parents, teachers, and students when they raise concerns. We must ensure our policies are enforced consistently and that we communicate openly about incidents and responses. Safety is not negotiable.

As a community, we owe it to our children to make safety our top priority. This must be our daily commitment. That means investing wisely, listening carefully, and holding ourselves accountable. I will bring the same determination I’ve shown as an attorney, advocate, and mom to ensure Wayzata schools remain places where every child is safe, supported, and ready to thrive.