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Hi, I'm April

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Where I Come From

I was born and raised in the small town of Marion, Illinois, and attended Southern Illinois University just down the road in Carbondale.  In 2000, my husband, Avinash, and I relocated to Columbia to be near my parents who came here in the mid 90s.  We welcomed our first born in 2002 and the second in 2004.  Since 2008, I have spent thousands of hours working with our students and in our schools to improve the educational experiences for all.  

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I am proud to have served on the CPS School Board since 2023. 

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Board Achievements 

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During my first campaign I frequently mentioned the importance of policy.  Policy is one main function of the board.  The board sets policies to govern the district. It is also our job to hold administration accountable to follow policy.  It is imperative that a district create and adhere to the policies that govern our operations.  

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I have served on the policy committee since September 2023.  During that time we have addressed more than 200 policies. Many needed through review and editing to make policies current and more easily understood by those using the policies.  My hope is to continue this work to address the remaining 100 policies and set a standard 3 year review cycle of every policy.

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A Commitment to Service

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Board Roles

Chair Long Range Planning - 2 yrs

Policy Committee - 3 yrs

Long Range Planning Member - 1 year

 

PTSA Leadership

Secretary at Ridgeway

Vice President at Hickman

President at Hickman HS

Athletics at West, HHS,  local groups:

  • Parent coordinator, basketball/track

  • Concessions coordinator

  • Athletic Signing Coordinator

  • Competitive team manager

  • Coaching, soccer/basketball

PTSA Chair at Ridgeway, West, HHS:

  • Volunteer Coordinator

  • Family events

  • Social media & Websites

  • Booster clubs

  • Teacher Appreciation

Professional Experience

Education: Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

  • Associate’s degree in Applied Science

  • Bachelor's degree in Business

  • MBA, Mgmt Info Systems & Entrepreneurship

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10 Years in Informational Technology

  • Allstate Insurance –  software testing

  • Verizon Wireless – data management

  • Missouri Health Care – change management

  • Boone County Health Dept – data analyst

 

17 Years in Real Estate

  • Re/Max Boone Realty – agent/broker

  • Real Estate Property Group – owner

MISSION STATEMENT

As someone who’s been heavily involved at all levels of CPS, from advocating for students, parents and staff, to now having spent the last three years on the board, I am deeply committed to continuing this important work.  I have the skills to analyze data to evaluate that everything CPS does is done to improve student achievement, working conditions, and that budgets and resources are optimized with those goals in mind.

Upcoming challenges:

Our district currently faces many challenge others districts do.  While overall student achievement has improved, positioning CPS in the top 15% of the state, achievement in our subgroups is still a struggling area.  In addition, the number of educators entering the profession is declining.  We must be a district that people seek to work in.  Recruiting and retaining a well qualified work force will have an impact on student achievement.  Mental health challenges in both our students and our workforce need to be addressed.  I will make decisions based on the impact to student achievement and well being.

I have spent more than a decade in service to CPS.  My goals continue to be to listen to concerns, provide resources or solutions, and be a bridge between our students, staff, community and CPS administration.   I will use my years of experience to be the voice of those served by CPS, while also making decisions that promote student achievement through optimization of resources and improving clearly understood policies that guide our district.

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