Leanne, state school board member, highlights strategic plan work and constituent problem‑solving

Leanne, a member of the state school board, told a local town‑hall style meeting that connecting parents to the right district resources and securing a board strategic plan were among the high points of her first four years on the board. “I have really enjoyed the service, which is why I would like to do it again,” she said.

Leanne described a 2½‑year effort to develop a strategic plan: weekly meetings, a two‑day retreat and an anonymous 25‑question survey that she said helped align the board around priorities. “In about 2 and a half days, we ended up getting a solid, strategic plan,” she said, crediting leadership that brought “the right people in the right place at the right time.”

Asked about board dynamics, Leanne acknowledged earlier contention when members insisted on single approaches, saying the board now includes people “more willing to work together.” She framed the board’s top priorities as ensuring quality educators and improving student outcomes.

On partisanship, she said board races moved to partisan contests beginning in 2020 and confirmed her party registration: “I’m a Republican.” But she argued local school governance should not be partisan. “I don’t think local government should be partisan,” she said, adding that the board should meet the same neutrality and ethics standards expected of teachers.

The meeting included questions from local participants about data, oversight and policy. Leanne asked residents who raised statistics to share their sources, saying some state reports show reading growth and that assessment data are reviewed by the board’s data team. The discussion closed with Leanne encouraging local engagement and saying she follows community mailing lists and attends local meetings when possible.