Libraries and Education

Shine a Light Transparency Builds Trust

We trust parents—not politics—to guide their kids.
If it’s public money, it should be public knowledge.
Taxpayer-funded acquisitions should be visible to the people footing the bill. That’s just good governance.
When advisory committees are ignored, and flagged books stay in youth sections, the system breaks down. We’ll fix that.
Transparency protects everyone kids, parents, and educators.
Clear policies and open records reduce conflict and build trust across the board.

Our public libraries are vital centers of learning, literacy, and community. But they must also reflect the values and expectations of the people who fund them. I support a balanced, transparent approach to library governance that protects children, respects parents, and upholds intellectual freedom.
My Commitments:

  • Transparency in Acquisitions: I will advocate for a public dashboard showing all books purchased with public funds, including age recommendations and content flags.
  • Accountability in Oversight: I will support giving the Library Citizens’ Advisory Committee binding authority or requiring formal Assembly review when their recommendations are overruled.
  • Tiered Access That Works: I will ensure that materials flagged for explicit content are shelved appropriately and require parental consent for minors.
  • Parental Rights in Practice: I will work to close loopholes that allow public employees to sidestep parental notification policies.
    The Bottom Line:
    This is not about censorship. It’s about stewardship. It’s about making sure our public institutions serve the public—not agendas. And it’s about restoring trust through openness, fairness, and respect.
  • Affirm Cultural Literacy: “We’re not trying to ban books—we’re raising the bar. Classical doesn’t mean old. It means enduring. We want a library that shapes critical thinkers, not one that sideswipes parental values.”
  • Draw a Line on Public Dollars: “If you wouldn’t spend borough tax dollars on Playboy, why should we fund erotica disguised as young adult literature?”
  • Put Curation Over Censorship: “We vet textbooks, children’s shows, and even food labels more carefully than some library titles. That’s not banning—it’s stewardship.”

What we may be able to do

  1. Strengthen Local Oversight with Binding Authority
    Right now, the Library Advisory Board can only recommend. I would loo to propose a borough ordinance that:
  • Gives the board binding authority on challenged materials
  • Requires public reporting on decisions and rationale
  • Establishes a clear appeals process for both sides
    This shifts power from unelected bureaucrats to a citizen-led body with community accountability.
  1. Create a Tiered Access System
    Rather than banning books outright, propose a system where:
  • Materials flagged for explicit content are moved to an “adult” or “restricted” section
  • Parental consent is required for minors to check out flagged titles
  • Schools and libraries must notify parents of available opt-in/opt-out options
    This respects parental rights without removing access for families who choose differently.
  1. Require Transparency in Library Acquisitions
    Push for a public-facing acquisitions dashboard that shows:
  • What books are being purchased with public funds
  • Who recommended them
  • What age group they’re intended for
    This empowers parents to engage early—before a book becomes a flashpoint.
  1. Advocate for a Borough-Wide “Parental Rights in Education” Policy
    This could include:
  • Mandatory parental notification when sensitive materials are introduced in curriculum or library programs
  • A formal review process for challenged materials with public input
  • Training for educators and librarians on how to handle sensitive content with transparency and neutrality

Empowering Families, Expanding Opportunity: Reforming Education in the Mat-Su

In the Mat-Su, we’re leading Alaska in educational innovation—from expanding Mat-Su Central School for homeschool families to launching new charter and STEM-focused campuses. These programs are proof: when we trust families and educators to shape learning environments, students thrive.

Policy Positions

  1. Educational Freedom & School Choice

Current Success:
The expansion of Mat-Su Central for homeschoolers, the creation of charter schools demonstrate that school choice works.

The Challenge:
Outdated constitutional barriers—like Alaska’s Blaine Amendment—still threaten to limit these choices. Originally rooted in 19th-century anti-Catholic bias, Blaine Amendments were designed to block public support for religious or alternative schools.

Legislative Goals:

Protect and expand funding for charter, homeschool, and hybrid learning models
Advocate for the repeal of Alaska’s Blaine Amendment to remove discriminatory barriers
Support STEM and STEM initiatives that prepare students for tomorrow’s economy
Ensure education dollars follow the student—not the system

  1. Library Transparency & Parental Rights

Parents have a right to know what’s being placed in their children’s libraries. This isn’t about banning books—it’s about responsible spending and informed families.

“If it’s public money, it should be public knowledge.”
Transparency protects everyone—kids, parents, and educators.

Proposed Solutions:

Create a transparency dashboard showing what’s purchased, why, and for whom
Pass a borough ordinance giving the Library Advisory Board binding authority on challenged materials
Require public reporting on decisions and establish a clear appeals process
Shift power from unelected bureaucrats to a citizen-led body with community accountability

  1. Constitutional Reform: Alaska’s Blaine Amendment

The Problem:
Article VII, Section 1 of Alaska’s Constitution prohibits public funds from directly benefiting religious or private educational institutions.

Historical Context:
This restriction reflects Blaine Amendment-era bias, originally targeting Catholic schools and immigrant communities.

Legal Standing:
U.S. Supreme Court rulings (Espinoza, Carson) confirm religious schools can’t be excluded from neutral public benefit programs solely due to religious status.

Reform Goal:
End discrimination against families making educational choices—while maintaining proper church-state balance.

STEM-First Education Initiative

STEM First. Politics Last.
The global economy is changing fast. Our kids need to be ready. That means less time on divisive social ideology and more on science, math, and real-world problem-solving.

Action Plan

  1. Tie Borough Funding to STEM Outcomes
    Prioritize grants and budget increases for schools that expand:

STEM offerings
Dual credit tech programs
Hands-on learning opportunities

  1. Launch a Borough STEM Advisory Council
    Bring together engineers, tradespeople, and educators to:

Guide curriculum development
Connect students to real career paths
Ensure industry alignment

  1. Host “STEM in the Valley” Events
    Sponsor community opportunities including:

Robotics competitions
Coding bootcamps
Maker fairs showcasing student innovation

  1. Champion Academic Rigor
    Advocate a return to core academics:

Mathematics
Science
Reading
Civics

Reduce distractions from political agendas.

“We’re not preparing kids for hashtags we’re preparing them for the future.”

Every child in the Mat-Su deserves access to quality education that:

Respects family choice and values
Prepares students for real-world success
Uses taxpayer dollars responsibly
Maintains transparency and accountability

Let’s build a borough where every child has the freedom to learn in the way that works best for them.

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