Would you support a district policy that requires all staff members and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19?

Medical decisions for students should be made by parents, and employees should be able to make their own decision regarding vaccinations.

One of the great powers of the Lt Governor is the power to appoint committee chairs. What criteria do/ will you use to select individuals for those positions?

Committee chairs should be evaluated based on years of experience related to the scope of the committee and their history of delivering desired outcomes.

How much access do you believe parents should have to their children's curriculum? classroom? teacher? online?

I believe parents should have access to all listed and the District should be completely transparent. 

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?

My job as a Trustee is to uphold State Law. 

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 believe in following the process to identify such materials, challenge them, and determine if they are truly harmful. As a Trustee I will support State Law while working to make sure appropriate educational materials are available to all students without hindering access to others. 

Should the SBOE have total & final authority on what teaching materials are used in the classroom? Please explain fully.

No. CISD has highly-educated professionals qualified to review alternatives to the SBOE recommendations should they determine other materials better meet the needs of the students in the District. Parents should also have oversight on what teaching materials their students encounter and in what capacity. 

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.

Programs should be age-appropriate and taught for the purpose of education. 

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?

I believe standards will assist with educating the community on what is/is not considered pornography and further the understanding of fact vs. fiction in relation to the highly-politicized nature of these discussions. As long as the standards are developed for the purpose of uniting and not supporting one over the other, then standards can be a useful tool. These standards will also help take some of the pressure off of our librarians and teachers who are passionate about teaching our students. 

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 believe in a balanced district with a balanced budget. This question relates to a very small number of employees (if even more than one) and would directly impact those at the highest level charged with implementing and managing the strategic plan. Salary should be commensurate with experience and responsibilities of the position. CISD is the largest employer in Montgomery County with many qualified employees. 

Briefly explain how American history should be taught to our students.

American History should be taught based on historical truths.

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?

Texas has the fourth worst literacy ranking according to World Population Review. The Texas public school system, however, has seen many improvements from 2019 to 2022. It achieved these improvements by investing in teachers, training, tutoring programs, resources, and a measurable accountability system. I would continue to support these efforts, and I would like to see even more training for our teachers, librarians, and counselors to enhance their ability to meet the increasing needs of our students, particularly in CISD where rapid growth poses its own set of challenges. Further, I would like to identify ways we can retain our veteran educators and utilize their experience to help new teachers deliver a high-quality educational experience. 

What is your position about parental choice and charter schools?

Parents have the right to make decisions regarding their child's education. 

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??

The three most important roles of the school board are: 

1. Improving educational outcomes. 
2. Providing a safe learning environment. 
3. Serving the best interests of all.

I will deliver results by:

• Voting to make sure the budget reflects and serves the needs of the district.
• Being present and active, developing relationships.
• Serving with absolute transparency.
• Being unbiased and respectful.
• Leading with character and integrity.
• Building trust.
• Supporting our educators, counselors, librarians, administration, law enforcement, and staff.
• Remaining focused on student outcomes in relation to the educational experience.

Would you be in favor of returning prayer to every classroom in the state?

Students should have the right to pray but prayer should not be dictated by the District. 

What are three reasons why you think you are the best candidate running for this Board position?

I am the most qualified candidate because: 

1. I have served students, youth, and the community for more than 20 years. 
2. I have hands-on experience as an unbiased leader with demonstrated results in the field of education. 
3. I know the CISD community, not just certain pockets, and I will advocate truly for All Means All.

Would you support a district policy that requires all staff members and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19?

Medical decisions for students should be made by the parent(s), and employees of the District should also have the right to choose whether or not they want to get vaccinated. 

Are standardized tests good or bad? Please explain fully.

I believe standardized tests provide directionally relevant information on student performance and the success of our education system. However, the results of the standardized tests should be used in addition to other resources in determining the true success of the education system or instructional quality. Metrics are important and necessary to monitoring performance, and standardized tests provide performance data, but we could improve the amount of pressure placed on students and educators in relation to standardized tests. 

How much influence does the board have on the actual classroom curriculum used? What is your plan to achieve that?

I believe the board should be actively engaged in the academic life of our students. The board has limited influence over the curriculum, members who are present and active at our schools and seek to witness the educational experience first-hand will be able to more effectively engage and advocate (at the State level) for any curriculum adjustments they witness need to be made. 

Is there anything in your background of an embarrassing nature that should be explained before your election? Arrests/Convictions? Bankruptcys?

No.

Do you believe a teacher should be required to use a student’s preferred pronoun?

I believe this is a discussion between the parents, counselor, teacher, and administrator and based on the best interests of the individual student and depending on the age of the student.