Diane Knight
What Governance Really Is
A school board’s role is governance, as opposed to day-to-day operations. Effective governance includes:
- Establishing a clear, student-centered vision
- Hiring and supporting the superintendent
- Adopting policies that guide practice
- Approving curriculum that strengthens learning
- Overseeing a responsible budget that supports teachers and students
While volunteering on the operational level enriches the school experience in profound ways, it is not the focus nor the responsibility of the school board. Our work as a board is to set direction so schools can thrive.
Why Experience Matters at the Board Table
From decades in education, I know how top-level decisions translate into daily learning. That perspective will help us choose policies, data practices, curriculum, and budgets that support teachers and students—without micromanaging.
What Sets Me Apart
- I understand education from the inside out.
- I know firsthand, because I have lived it, how decisions made at the board level play out in real classrooms, with real teachers, and real students.
- I know what is required when the board implements new curriculum.
- I have felt the relentless pressure from standardized testing.
- I understand collaboration and PLCs and have participated in thousands of hours of state and district-mandated professional development.
- And unfortunately, I know exactly what it’s like to have 31 five-year-olds in a classroom because no more FTEs (class-size reduction funds) were available.
These are all decisions a school board controls. So when I help make policy, choose curriculum, manage the budget, or set the vision for our new district, I know exactly what that will mean for teachers and students.
No other candidate brings this level of experience to the table.
Establishing the Aspen Peaks School District
The insights I’ve gained from a lifetime in education will help us govern wisely and effectively as we establish the Aspen Peaks School District. If we want to improve education, and truly want what’s best for students, we will keep decisions anchored to classroom realities.
How We Improve Education—Together
- We focus on the classroom.
- We listen to teachers, because they are the ones implementing the policies we make as a board.
- We partner with parents, just like you, because when we all work together, the results are exponential.