ABOUT BARB
Servant Leadership
"You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.”
My passion for advocacy and call to public service reflect this mantra. I serve as secretary for the Rochester Community Schools (RCS) Board of Education, a job I am honored to do. As a trustee, I listen hard to understand a problem from all perspectives. I collaborate with others and work toward building mutual trust. I stay laser-focused on achieving the best outcome for kids, a goal throughout my tenure as your trustee.
In service with my school board colleagues, we oversee a general fund budget of $182 million, a student body of 15,000, and, as the largest employer in the greater Rochester area, a staff of 1,500. In spite of state revenue fluctuations for public education, I proudly voted to invest in RCS students, with a new orchestra program, through the Caring Steps Children's Center, a future revenue source for the school district, and a transitional kindergarten program to meet the needs of our youngest learners. These programs wouldn't be possible without the public trust of our community and the investment of local tax dollars in RCS.
Path Towards Leadership
My path toward leadership began when my two children entered public school at Meadow Brook Elementary in the Rochester Community Schools district. PTA leadership positions as president, vice president, and chair of the PTA Council legislative committee led to a two-year seat on the Michigan PTA Board of Directors, where I currently serve as the federal legislative chair.
I have advocated for education reform locally, regionally, and nationally, from my work with Rochester PTA parents, to organizing area parents to advocate in Lansing through Michigan PTA, and finally, by traveling to Washington, D.C. as your local school board trustee. In Washington, I spoke with our states' congressional leaders, on funding for children with learning differences, in Rochester Community Schools.
Our citizens face many issues that get decided beyond the borders of our community. As your representative, I will be there to represent all voices on issues that impact our community, and to ensure the best possible quality of life for all Michiganders.
