How much access do you believe parents should have to their children's curriculum? classroom? teacher? online?
Parents should have complete access to what their student is leaning in school whether it be in the classroom or online.
Do you support allowing all students to use bathrooms, showers and locker rooms, as well as participate in sports, based on the gender with which they identify, not the sex they are assigned to at birth?
Students can use any single bathroom they wish, but should use communal bathrooms, showers, and locker rooms based on their assigned gender, as well they should participate in sports based on their assigned gender.
Will you work to remove harmful materials as defined in Texas penal code 43.24 from all school property? Additionally, do you support removing the “educational exemption” from this law?
I would work to exclude these harmful materials as defined in Texas penal code 43.24 from all school property, assuming these do exist in Conroe ISD. I do not see the value of an educational exemption for these materials and would support removing this exemption.
Should the SBOE have total & final authority on what teaching materials are used in the classroom? Please explain fully.
The State Board of Education sets policies and standards for Texas public schools and their primary responsibilities are setting curriculum standards and reviewing and adopting instructional materials as a part of the Texas Administrative Code. The main function of the school board is to provide local, citizen governance and oversight of education. Though ultimate responsibility for education rests with the state. The local school board does vote on which educational materials will be used in the District.
Please give your opinion of each of the following programs and the reasoning supporting your opinion: Common Core, Critical Race Theory, Social Emotional Learning, International Bacculaureate.
Common Core is supposed to be a set of academic standards that every student should learn and at what grade level they should learn it in. Common Core has not been adopted in Texas. Texans
CRT is a theory that one race has superiority and other races are and always will be inferior. Texas has outlawed CRT being taught in public schools. As an elected School Board member, I took an oath to uphold the laws of Texas and support the law.
SEL helps kids learn coping skills and how to regulate their own emotions. It also helps with build interpersonal skills like working in teams and resolving conflicts. It can also help kids who learn and think differently talk about their challenges and build self-esteem. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I see value in teaching students how to deal with difficulties in life before they turn to high-risk behaviors that can lead to despair and disaster in their own lives.
I am not very familiar with IB and I know that it is not a part of Conroe ISD.
The SBOE has been charged by Governor Abbott with developing standards for books found in school libraries to prevent pornography from getting into the hands of our schoolchildren. What is your position on the development of these important standards?
As stated in Question #3, I am in favor of harmful or obscene materials as defined in the Penal Code being removed from public school in accordance with the law.
Would you pledge to vote against any attempt to authorize any CISD employee salary that would be more than 50% above that of the Texas Governors salary?
I would not.
Briefly explain how American history should be taught to our students.
Choose not to answer.
What is the State of Texas school system ranked in literacy and what would your plan be to make it No. 1 in the country?
Literacytexas.org says Texas ranks 49 out of 50 in literacy as measured by having a high school diploma. I can only speak to Conroe ISD which has a graduation rate of 97.3%. I think one way to improve our state would be to find the best practices of the highest graduating school districts and copy what they do.
What is your position about parental choice and charter schools?
I believe parents have every right to determine their student’s learning and should be involved in all aspects of their learning.
Charter schools are a good choice in Districts that fail to provide a quality education for student.
In your opinion, what are the three most important roles of the school board and if elected, how would you contribute to those important roles??
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To assure taxpayer dollars are spent effectively. As a businessman, I understand how to manage a budget and I have helped Conroe ISD gain more investment dollars and helped build a maintenance reserve for replacement items so they do not have to be financed.
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To assure students receive a quality education that enables them to achieve their full potential in their life. Since being on the Board, I have seen the graduation rate rise from 92% to over 97%.
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To assure the District continues to be managed efficiently. This requires me to pour over the budget in detail, assuring programs are adequately funded while avoiding any unnecessary expenses. I am always watching the District’s finances and how we budget.
Would you be in favor of returning prayer to every classroom in the state?
No. My reason is whose prayer would we use.
What are three reasons why you think you are the best candidate running for this Board position?
I have a strong working knowledge of the budget process and funding mechanisms for Texas public education.
I have a strong working knowledge of the policies and procedures for the Conroe ISD.
I have been effective in the finance process resulting in savings created from refinancing bonds, creating a maintenance reserve, and improving the investment earnings for the Conroe ISD.
Would you support a district policy that requires all staff members and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
No
Are standardized tests good or bad? Please explain fully.
I have never been a supporter of standardized tests. However, the has to be a way to measure how well a student has retained knowledge that is required according to the TEK’s and standardized tests are the only way this can be done.
How much influence does the board have on the actual classroom curriculum used? What is your plan to achieve that?
School Board members set policies that all District employees must follow and this is the most effective way to manage.
