04/06/2021
I am running for GISD School Board… to pay forward all the benefits that I and my family have received from the Garland ISD. My parents came to Garland in 1951 to begin their professional careers in the Garland ISD. They served the district during their entire professional life. As I grew up in Garland, I attended Watson Elementary, Kimberlin Elementary, Memorial Junior High and South Garland High School. I returned to the GISD to begin my own teaching career after college and taught at Jackson Middle School, O’Bannon Middle School and Lakeview Centennial High School for a total of 18 years. Following a 15 year break in service, to work in the Lewisville ISD, I returned to the Garland ISD in 2007 to work as Director and then Executive Director of Human Resources until I was elected to the GISD Board of Trustees in a special election in 2016. During my service on the Board my fellow board members selected me to serve two years as Board Vice President and one year as Board President. I am seeking to return to the Board to continue my service, during this pandemic period, because I believe that I can provide tested knowledge, experience, and leadership to the post-pandemic recovery. The Board and the District must focus on the instructional deficiencies that have occurred since March 2020. My experience as a long time teacher, campus leader and central office administrator is key to providing knowledgeable input in the development of the district’s recovery plan and addressing the budget shortfalls without undue delays of having to “learn what all the options mean”.
During my previous service on the Board, we were able to Accomplish…
• Selection of a new Superintendent
• Establish specific student performance goals for which the Superintendent is accountable.
• Full Day Pre-K at selected campuses (15) along with half-day options at selected campuses (14).
• Expanded student programs and support for Dyslexia, Student Literacy, English Language Learners, 200+ College and Career programs and increasing the Graduation Rate (94%) that is above the state average.
• Increased student performance (pre-pandemic) as determined by the Texas Education Agency…2018 (81) and 2019 (88).
• Oversaw the near completion of the 455.5 million dollar Bond Program covering expanded projects (Fine Arts Additions) plus projects not originally proposed including addition HVAC capacity and campus additions.
• Lowered total property tax rate from $1.46 per hundred in 2018 to $1.39 per hundred in 2019.
Goals for the Future…
• A steady focus on safely re-opening schools and addressing the learning losses of all students.
• Supporting students, parents, teachers, and the staff in addressing the continued impacts of the pandemic.
• Engage the staff in an in-depth district review of what has taken place over the last 18 months with the development of an instructionally focused strategic plan that would cover up to three years. This would include the retention of key “best practices” implemented over the period to apply as parts of our future instructional program and delivery system.
• Work with local, state, and federal leaders to address widespread conductivity issues with and access to the internet that is faced by large sections of our student population.
• Be actively engaged with issues involving state funding and the unequal and unequitable regulations that the Garland ISD must follow vs. those required of Charter and Private Schools.
• Move forward with full day Pre-K and Early Childhood programs at the campuses for eligible populations.
• Enhance parental involvement in their children’s education.
• Engage in a programmatic/staffing review to address budget deficits due to decreased state funding, impact of the failed TRE and ongoing decline in student population within the District.
To continue the progress of the past and address the challenges of the future… will require experience, proven knowledge, and leadership skills. As a former educator; former Board Member; and a demonstrated leader on the Board, in the Tri-Cities and in my professional career the Parents, Students, Teachers and Staff Members of the GISD can rely on my commitment to the needs of the district. I pledge to be an active member of the board, listen to your concerns, engage you in the discussion and be fiscally responsible with your tax dollars.
Together our students can accomplish great things. I ask for you vote on May 1, 2021.
