Colorado ranks below average in per pupil education funding. This is unacceptable. Our children deserve better. We must  increase per pupil funding to our schools dramatically. Teacher pay needs to be increased in both rural and urban areas. We need to attract more professionals to teach in math and science. Arts and sports are being eliminated from our schools in order to satisfy preparing for standardized testing. Class sizes are often so big that teachers struggle with the number of students, finding it difficult to give students, and in particular those who have special needs the services they deserve.

By reducing the operating costs of our schools, we can divert dollars currently spend on overhead  to our students and teachers. Reducing or eliminating costs for power, lighting, water, and fuel, means more of our education dollars can be spent in the classroom.  In addition to cost savings, we will use this opportunity to upgrade school internet and technology infrastructure so our kids are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. Kids are our future, and they deserve every dollar we can save to be invested where it truly benefits them.. Imagine students riding to school on an electric bus, powered by a district-owned renewable power plant!

I will fight to protect Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) to  ensure our public servants, including teachers, can retire knowing that the secure retirement they earned will be there for them.

I also strongly believe in early childhood education. It gives our children a strong start while simultaneously relieving their families of the burden of childcare costs.

Higher education should be accessible and affordable for anyone who wants to pursue that path. Many students, particularly students of color, need financial assistance to stay in school due to the high cost.  We must ensure every student has a fair opportunity for higher education. We must also increase access to apprenticeship programs to fill our state’s need for highly paid tradespeople.