Bringing Books to Life: Why Literacy Starts Here

Last week, I had the joy of running our Scholastic Book Fair. Bringing books to students and helping them develop a love of reading is one of the most rewarding things I do. And while the fancy pencils and elaborate erasers always draw a crowd, students still light up when they spot their favorite storybook characters on the shelves. Bluey, Spider-Man, and Gabby capture the hearts of our youngest readers, while middle grade students gravitate toward stories about school life, sports, and yes, a few good scares. Watching parents relive their own childhood memories at the fair was just as special as seeing the students themselves.

That joy, though, comes with a sense of urgency.

I was recently asked how I would address the problem of high school students graduating without strong reading skills. It is a critical question, and the answer starts right here. Oak Grove School District serves students from TK through 8th grade, and this is exactly where literacy must be built, reinforced, and mastered before students move on.

Unfortunately, the District has moved in the wrong direction. By reducing literacy intervention positions, Oak Grove has left students who are struggling to read without the specialists and dedicated support they need. These are the students who most depend on advocates in their corner.

If you vote for me, you will have a board member who demands that every school in this district is staffed with literacy intervention specialists, so that no student moves forward without a solid foundation.

I am also running because I believe the District owes its community a clear answer to a simple question: is the money budgeted for student services actually reaching students? I want to examine the current budget with fresh eyes and accountability in mind. And I believe we can do more to find funding beyond what already exists. There are nonprofits and grants focused specifically on the areas where our students need help most. Reading is fundamental, and we should be doing everything possible to pursue those resources.

Our students deserve no less.