Most people who run a school board campaign think you need a platform – something that you plan on accomplishing while you’re in office if elected. This is typically a list of the things that maybe only you have experience in, or think that the district is doing wrong. Another word for this is agenda.
Truth is; I don’t have an agenda. People with agendas don’t serve the public well, they serve themselves.
Is our district perfect? No, it’s not. But neither is the company or organization you work for. I had a friend tell me one time, “If you find the perfect organization, don’t join it, cause you’ll mess it up.” Now those are words to live by.
However, it’s also true that if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.
If elected to office, I promise to stand on the following principles:
- To work well with the board as a team member and support group decisions, along with the understanding that the board sets a climate for the entire district
- To represent a fiscally conservative and responsible mindset
- To foster a stronger relationship between the district and the community
- To keep a keen eye toward serving the needs of all students, regardless of their abilities and backgrounds
- To approach each issue with a professional, respectful, and poised demeanor
- To respect diverse points of view
- And, commitment to the time and energy required each week for meetings, phone calls, conversations, and professional development seminars and workshops.
Restoring a financially conservative mindset is a critical issue to many of my neighbors right now. Can I count on your pledge NOT to raise property taxes with another bond issue?
Hans,
Thanks for your question.
I cannot promise that the district won’t have another bond election. However, I can promise (if elected) to explore and exhaust whatever options we may have as a district to hold off on a bond election as long as possible.
With the growth that we have experienced, as well as what has been projected, a bond election is likely inevitable. The district is required by law to maintain certain student to teacher ratios. This means at some point (when you’ve maxed out your current facilities) you have to build new facilities to abide by the law.
One of my focuses is to continue to lobby the legislature in regards to school finance. If we kept the $30mil per year that we send out of the district, we may not have to raise taxes to keep up in the future.
Alex
As a parent of 2 students at Lakeway Elementary, I am concerned about the recent actions by the State Board of Education on the content of textbooks. What are your thoughts on this matter?
Tony,
Thanks for your email.
Honestly, I’m not a big fan. Although I am a conservative, and a Christian, most the times leaders of these values operate out of fear. Even if I think that academia is far too left in it’s beliefs and influence, I believe it’s my responsibility as a parent to teach my kids whatever I want at home.
Regardless of what is printed in textbooks or taught in school, the truth is, that we as parents, are ultimately responsible for the education of our children.
I’m also not sure what options the LTISD may or may not have in regards to being required to use certain textbooks. Don’t know if the revised textbooks in question are use by our district, if our current staff supports the changes, or if have other options.
Thanks for the question.
Alex