Gunter ISD Candidate Questionnaire Responses - Easier to Read

Gary "Doc" Harris

Gunter ISD Candidate Questionnaire

Thank you for participating.  We will compile all the answers into one document to share on OurGunter social media as well as the Gunter Chamber of Commerce social media.

Please upload a photo of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply but your name and place you are running in.

Please upload a JPG of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply put your first and last name.

Name *

G a r y Z H a r r i s D D S

Office You Are Running For (place # or position) *

G u n t e r I S D B o a rd o f Tr u s t e e s

Phone # (if we have any questions while compiling list) *

Why are you running for GISD School Board? *

I understand what makes Gunter awesome is Gunter ISD. Gunter’s greatness being due to the ISD, the community and its leaders, was apparent to Kathy and I before we moved here. These ideals have become even more obvious the greater amount of time we have become involved in GIFT and GISD. I want to continue to build upon Gunter’s traditions and values while embracing the inevitable growth we will experience. Change is coming, but we must maintain the foundation of excellent schools.

What are your top three priority issues? *

1 . S u p p o r t f o r t e a c h e r s a n d s t u d e n t s – W h e n t e a c h e r s t r u l y e x p e r i e n c e o u r c o l l e c t i ve c o n f i d e n c e a n d s u p p o r t , t h e s t a g e i s s e t f o r s u c c e s s , n o t o n l y f o r t h e t e a c h e r s , b u t a l s o f o r t h e s t u d e n t s a n d o u r c o m m u n i t y a s w e l l .

2 . S t u d e n t h e a l t h & w e l l n e s s – I t i s i m p e ra t i ve to m e e t t h e h e a l t h a n d w e l l n e s s n e e d s o f o u r s t u d e n t s i n t h e s e c h a n g i n g t i m e s . I ’m i n c l u d i n g p h y s i c a l a n d e m o t i o n a l h e a l t h , s o o u r s t u d e n t s w i l l b e p re p a re d to l e a r n a n d g ro w i n t h e c l a s s ro o m a n d i n l i fe .

3 P r u d e n t u s e o f f u n d s – I t i s c h a l l e n g i n g to re m a i n j u d i c i o u s w i t h e x p e n s e s f o r o u r s c h o o l ’s n e e d s a n d f u t u re f a c i l i t i e s d u r i n g a t i m e o f ra p i d g ro w t h We w i l l n e e d to b e f l e x i b l e a n d a d a p t to t h e g ro w t h w h i l e ke e p i n g o u r p r i o r i t i e s f o r d eve l o p i n g s u c c e s s f u l a n d c o n t r i b u t i n g s t u d e n t s / c i t i ze n s i n p l a c e

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the GISD Board? *

N o , n o t o n e s i n g u l a r i s s u e I n i t i a l l y, 2 0 ye a r s a g o , I w a n t e d to c o n t r i b u t e to t h e d i s t r i c t , w h i l e b u i l d i n g o n m y p rev i o u s s c h o o l b o a rd e x p e r i e n c e N o w, I s t i l l fe e l I c a n h e l p o u r d i s t r i c t ’s s u c c e s s I w a n t to b u i l d o n t h e va l u e s a n d c u l t u re t h a t h ave m a d e G u n t e r a g re a t p l a c e to ra i s e a f a m i l y w h i l e w e p l a n a n d p re p a re f o r f u t u re g ro w t h

What do you see as the opportunities and challenges in this district? *

We m u s t re t a i n t h e t e r r i f i c s t a f f w e h ave n o w a n d a t t ra c t m o re e xc e p t i o n a l s t a f f i n t h e f u t u re a s w e g ro w Te a c h e r s a re l e av i n g t h e p ro fe s s i o n i n re c o rd n u m b e r s f o r m a n y d i f fe re n t re a s o n s w h i c h h a s c re a t e d a t e a c h e r s h o r t a g e i n o u r c o m m u n i t y, s t a t e , a n d n a t i o n We h ave a t t ra c t e d e xc e l l e n t t e a c h e r s i n t h e p a s t w i t h o u r o u t s t a n d i n g c u l t u re I w a n t to c o n t i n u e to a p p e a l to t h e b e s t t e a c h e r s a n d s t a f f

How do you feel about the current teacher/student ratio and what options does GISD have to change it if you feel that is necessary?

G u n t e r h a s a l w ay s b e e n k n o w n f o r a l o w t e a c h e r to s t u d e n t ra t i o . We s h o u l d c o n t i n u e t h o s e i d e a l s .

*

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members? *

M y n e a r l y 3 0 ye a r s o f s c h o o l b o a rd e x p e r i e n c e a n d a p o s i t i ve p a s s i o n f o r t h i s c o m m u n i t y.

What attributes and behaviors are essential for school board members? *

A s e r va n t ’s h e a r t a n d s e l f l e s s n e s s . T h i s i s n o t t h e p o s i t i o n f o r s o m e o n e w h o h a s a p e r s o n a l o r s i n g u l a r a g e n d a . We a re h e re to s e r ve t h e e n t i re c o m m u n i t y.

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden?

T h o u g h t f u l l y a n d c a re f u l l y ! We m u s t p r i o r i t i ze t e a c h e r a n d c l a s s ro o m s p e n d i n g At t h e s a m e t i m e , w e n e e d to t r i m e x p e n s e s w h e re ava i l a b l e H o w eve r, i t i s i m p e ra t i ve w e u n d e r s t a n d “ i t ’s a l l a b o u t t h e k i d s ” v i a t h e t e a c h e r s a n d d i s t r i c t t e a m

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?

B e c a u s e o u r w o r l d i s c o n s t a n t l y c h a n g i n g , w e m u s t a l s o re a c t w i t h c h a n g e w h e re n e e d e d , to p re p a re o u r s t u d e n t s f o r t h e i r n e x t s t e p I ’m i n c l u d i n g t h o s e a t t e n d i n g c o l l e g e , a vo c a t i o n a l p ro g ra m , t h e m i l i t a r y o r g o i n g d i re c t l y i n to t h e w o r k f o rc e .

In your view, what has the district done well over last five years? What has the district done poorly that you would change?

I ’m p ro u d w e h ave e x p a n d e d t h e c u r r i c u l u m a n d i n c re a s e d p ro g ra m s i n f i n e a r t s .

I ’m e x t re m e l y e xc i t e d w e h ave m ove d f o r w a rd w i t h a n e w e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l a n d p u rc h a s i n g l a n d f o r p o t e n t i a l n e w s c h o o l s

G u n t e r h a s a l w ay s b e e n k n o w n f o r e l eva t i n g s t u d e n t a c h i eve m e n t b eyo n d w h a t w a s e x p e c t e d I b e l i eve w e h ave c o n t i n u e d o u r s u c c e s s e s i n t h a t e n d e avo r

What guidelines do you think should be adopted by GISD with regard to bullying? *

Te x a s h a s e x p l i c i t a n d g o o d A n t i - B u l l y i n g l a w s a n d p o l i c i e s . I a m c o m f o r t a b l e w i t h t h e p o l i c y G I S D h a s n o w.

G u n t e r I n d e p e n d e n t S c h o o l D i s t r i c t T h e d i s t r i c t p ro h i b i t s b u l l y i n g o n s c h o o l p ro p e r t y, a t s c h o o l - s p o n s o re d o r s c h o o l - re l a t e d a c t i v i t i e s , o r i n a n y ve h i c l e o p e ra t e d by t h e d i s t r i c t . B u l l y i n g m ay b e ve r b a l o r w r i t t e n e x p re s s i o n o r e x p re s s i o n t h ro u g h e l e c t ro n i c m e a n s , o r p h y s i c a l c o n d u c t . B u l l y i n g i s n o t to l e ra t e d by t h e d i s t r i c t a n d a n y s t u d e n t o r p a re n t o f a s t u d e n t w h o b e l i eve s t h a t t h e s t u d e n t o r a n o t h e r s t u d e n t h a s e x p e r i e n c e d b u l l y i n g o r t h a t a s t u d e n t h a s e n g a g e d i n b u l l y i n g i s e n c o u ra g e d to i m m e d i a t e l y re p o r t t h e i n c i d e n t R e t a l i a t i o n a g a i n s t a n yo n e i n vo l ve d i n t h e c o m p l a i n t p ro c e s s i s a v i o l a t i o n o f d i s t r i c t p o l i c y a n d i s p ro h i b i t e d S t u d e n t s o r p a re n t s m ay re p o r t a n a l l e g e d i n c i d e n t o f b u l l y i n g , o ra l l y o r i n w r i t i n g , to a t e a c h e r, c o u n s e l o r, p r i n c i p a l o r o t h e r d i s t r i c t e m p l oye e S t u d e n t s o r p a re n t s m ay c o n t a c t t h e d i s t r i c t to o b t a i n a n i n c i d e n t re p o r t f o r m t h a t m ay b e u s e d to s u b m i t t h e c o m p l a i n t

Biographical Information and Contacts:  (brief intro about you, your education, experience, community service as well as your campaign contact email/phone/website and/or Facebook page link)

M y n a m e i s G a r y Z H a r r i s . I a m a c u r re n t m e m b e r o f t h e G u n t e r I S D B o a rd o f Tr u s t e e s . I a m r u n n i n g f o r ree l e c t i o n . M y w i fe , K a t h y, a n d o u r 4 b oy s c a m e to G u n t e r i n 1 9 9 8 b e c a u s e o f t h e e xc e l l e n t s c h o o l s . O u r re l o c a t i o n to

G u n t e r w a s t h e a b s o l u t e b e s t m ove f o r o u r f a m i l y !

I h ave a n E n d o d o n t i c D e n t a l p ra c t i c e i n S h e r m a n Te x a s . I w e n t to c o l l e g e a n d d e n t a l s c h o o l i n D a l l a s . A f t e r m ov i n g to G u n t e r, K a t h y a n d I i m m e d i a t e l y b e c a m e i n vo l ve d i n t h e c o m m u n i t y. O u r l ove a n d p a s s i o n f o r G u n t e r h a s o n l y g ro w n ove r t h e d e c a d e s . M y s e r v i c e h a s ra n g e d f ro m c o a c h i n g i n G u n t e r Yo u t h A s s o c i a t i o n to s e r v i n g a s t h e f o u n d i n g p re s i d e n t o f G I F T, t h e G u n t e r Ed u c a t i o n Fo u n d a t i o n O u r k i d s g ra d u a t e d f ro m G H S a n d t h e n f ro m Te x a s A & M U n i ve r s i t y O u r c h i l d re n a re n o w m ov i n g b a c k to G u n t e r to ra i s e t h e i r f a m i l i e s

B e f o re m ov i n g to G u n t e r, I s e r ve d o n t h e B o a rd o f Tr u s t e e s f o r C o l l i n C o l l e g e , f o r m e r l y C o l l i n C o u n t y C o m m u n i t y C o l l e g e B e t w e e n C o l l i n C o l l e g e a n d m y p re s e n t s c h o o l b o a rd p o s i t i o n , I fe e l I h ave t h e e x p e r i e n c e a n d k n o w l e d g e n e c e s s a r y to ove rc o m e t h e c h a l l e n g e s re s u l t i n g f ro m o u r i m p e n d i n g g ro w t h N e w s c h o o l s a n d l a n d w i l l b e n e e d e d a t a l l p o i n t s o f t h e c o m p a s s i n G I S D W i t h t h a t , w e w i l l n e e d to h i re m o re t e a c h e r s a n d s t a f f S c h o o l f i n a n c e w i l l b e c o m p l i c a t e d e s p e c i a l l y a s s t a t e f u n d i n g c o n t i n u e s to d e c re a s e

M y v i s i o n i s t h a t G I S D ke e p s p a c e w i t h g ro w t h w h i l e re m a i n i n g o n e o f t h e to p d i s t r i c t s i n Te x a s

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Jim Scano

Gunter ISD Candidate Questionnaire

Thank you for participating.  We will compile all the answers into one document to share on OurGunter social media as well as the Gunter Chamber of Commerce social media.

Please upload a photo of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply but your name and place you are running in.

Please upload a JPG of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply put your first and last name.

Name *

Office You Are Running For (place # or position) *

Phone # (if we have any questions while compiling list) *

Why are you running for GISD School Board? *

The growth we're experiencing and will continue to experience over the next couple of decades in Gunter will be a challenging time for both the community as a whole and the school district. How we manage that growth will weigh heavily on the people we elect to guide it. As a resident and business owner in Gunter and having a daughter attending Gunter ISD, I have a vested interest in ensuring that the school district doesn't just maintain its current status, but continues to improve. It's imperative that we elect individuals with experience and success in team-building, creative growth, and leadership to guide us through it. As a former firefighter/paramedic with Dallas Fire-Rescue, I have a heart for community service and as a business owner, I have the experience to do just that. In addition, my desire to continue working and volunteering for my community places me in a position to be an asset to the school board and the community.

What are your top three priority issues? *

1 ) I w a n t to d i g d e e p i n to t h e c u l t u re o f t h e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t a n d w h y s o m e t e a c h e r s a re c h o o s i n g to l e ave . M y h o p e i s t h a t t h e s e a re i s o l a t e d i n c i d e n t s a n d n o t s y s t e m i c . R e g a rd l e s s o f t h e re a s o n , u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d a d d re s s i n g t u r n ove r i s a to p p r i o r i t y.

2 ) I w a n t to b r i d g e t h e p e rc e i ve d g a p i n c o m m u n i c a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t a n d t h e c o m m u n i t y. I d o u n d e r s t a n d t h a t i n o rd e r to b e a n e f fe c t i ve a n d e f f i c i e n t s c h o o l b o a rd , t h e b o a rd m u s t b e a b l e to m a ke d e c i s i o n s i n d e p e n d e n t l y, n o t b e c o n f u s e d w i t h a u to n o m o u s l y I t 's i m p o r t a n t to m e t h a t t h e b o a rd w o r k s to f i n d w ay s to s t ay e n g a g e d w i t h t h e c o m m u n i t y a n d re m ove a n y d o u b t s i n t h e s c h o o l b o a rd 's d e c i s i o nm a k i n g

3 ) A s s i s t i n t h e g ro w t h by e n s u r i n g p o l i c i e s a n d p ro c e d u re s w o r k f o r o u r d i s t r i c t w h e t h e r o u r d i s t r i c t h a s 1 , 1 0 0 s t u d e n t s o r 1 1 , 0 0 0 s t u d e n t s I b e l i eve t h a t t h i s c a n b e a c h i eve d s t i l l w h i l e p rov i d i n g o u r p ro fe s s i o n a l t e a c h e r s w i t h a h e a l t h y e n v i ro n m e n t to t e a c h

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the GISD Board? *

A s w e a p p ro a c h t h e e l e c t i o n a n d I l e a r n m o re a n d m o re a b o u t t h e d i s t r i c t , I a m c o n t i n u a l l y re m i n d e d t h a t t h e g ra d u a t e s a n d yo u n g a d u l t s w e p ro d u c e a s a d i s t r i c t a re a d i re c t re f l e c t i o n o f t h e c u l t u re t h a t s u r ro u n d s t h e m I a m m o t i va t e d by t h e p o t e n t i a l o f G u n t e r I S D to b e a m o d e l f o r o t h e r d i s t r i c t s to f o l l o w a n d I b e l i eve t h i s s t a r t s w i t h c re a t i n g t h e r i g h t c u l t u re f o r o u r s t a f f a n d o u r s t u d e n t s

What do you see as the opportunities and challenges in this district? *

T h e m o s t o bv i o u s c h a l l e n g e t h a t t h e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t f a c e s i s t h e g ro w t h c o m i n g to o u r a re a B i g d e c i s i o n s w i l l n e e d to b e m a d e t h a t w i l l a f fe c t t h e d i s t r i c t f o r d e c a d e s to c o m e I c o n s i d e r t h i s to b e e q u a l l y a c h a l l e n g e a n d a n o p p o r t u n i t y. Wa r re n B u f fe t s a i d , " S o m e o n e i s s i t t i n g i n s h a d e to d ay b e c a u s e s o m e o n e p l a n t e d a t re e a l o n g t i m e a g o . " I s e e g ro w t h a s o u r o p p o r t u n i t y to p l a n t t re e s a s a c o m m u n i t y a n d b u i l d s o m e t h i n g to g e t h e r t h a t w i l l p rov i d e f o r m a n y f u t u re g e n e ra t i o n s .

How do you feel about the current teacher/student ratio and what options does GISD have to change it if you feel that is necessary?

I t h i n k t h e re c a n a l w ay s b e a n i m p rove m e n t i n t h e s t u d e n t - to - t e a c h e r ra t i o , b u t a s w i t h eve r y t h i n g , t h a t c o m e s w i t h a p r i c e M y re s e a rc h s h o w s a c u r re n t 1 3 : 1 s t u d e n t - to - t e a c h e r ra t i o w h i c h i s re a s o n a b l e to m e c o n s i d e r i n g t h e n a t i o n w i d e t e a c h e r s h o r t a g e I t i s m y b e l i e f t h a t t e a c h e r s , i n g e n e ra l , a re n o t i n t h e p ro fe s s i o n s o l e l y f o r t h e m o n ey I b e l i eve t h ey a re i n t h e p ro fe s s i o n a s m u c h o r m o re f o r t h e s a t i s f a c t i o n a n d f u l f i l l m e n t t h a t t e a c h i n g p rov i d e s I n o t h e r w o rd s , w h i l e c o m p e t i t i ve s a l a r i e s a re i m p o r t a n t , b i g g e r s a l a r i e s d o n' t e q u a l b e t t e r t e a c h e r s C re a t i n g a n e n v i ro n m e n t w h e re t e a c h e r s a re p a i d a c o m p e t i t i ve w a g e a n d fe e l t h a t t h ey h ave t h e a u t h o r i t y a n d c re a t i ve f re e d o m to d o t h e i r j o b s i n t h e i r c l a s s ro o m s w i l l a t t ra c t m o re h i g hq u a l i t y t e a c h e r s , t h u s re d u c i n g t h e s t u d e n t - to - t e a c h e r ra t i o

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members? *

W i t h a l i t t l e b i t o f re s e a rc h , I w i l l s ay I w a s i m p re s s e d w i t h t h e p o o l o f c a n d i d a t e s b o t h f ro m a p a s s i o n a s w e l l a s a n e x p e r i e n c e s t a n d p o i n t I b e l i eve G u n t e r vo t e r s a re i n a w i n - w i n s i t u a t i o n t h i s e l e c t i o n T h e c a n d i d a t e's e x p e r i e n c e ra n g e s f ro m m a n y ye a r s o n t h e s c h o o l b o a rd to m a n y ye a r s a s a n e d u c a to r I n a d d i t i o n to t h e e x p e r i e n c e I h ave i n t e a m - b u i l d i n g , s u s t a i n a b l e g ro w t h , a n d l e a d e r s h i p , I b e l i eve w h a t d i f fe re n t i a t e s m e i s m y a b i l i t y to b r i n g i n a f re s h s e t o f i d e a s a n d p e r s p e c t i ve s M y t h o u g h t s a re n o t p rec o n c e i ve d o r s e a s o n e d I f t h e c o m m u n i t y w a s vo t i n g o n a b o a rd o f o n e , I w o u l d n o t b e yo u r g u y Fo r t u n a t e l y f o r a l l o f u s , t h e b o a rd i s m a d e o f u p s eve ra l p e o p l e w h i c h c re a t e s a n e n v i ro n m e n t w h e re m a n y i d e a s c a n b e b ro u g h t to t h e t a b l e to s o l ve p ro b l e m s . W h e n i t c o m e s to c re a t i ve g ro w t h a n d l e a d e r s h i p , I 'm a s t u d e n t o f t h e g a m e .

What attributes and behaviors are essential for school board members? *

C o n s i d e r i n g t h a t o n e o f t h e p r i m a r y ro l e s o f t h e s c h o o l b o a rd i s t h e a p p ro p r i a t e a l l o c a t i o n o f t a x d o l l a r s , I b e l i eve m e m b e r s s h o u l d h ave e x p e r i e n c e eva l u a t i n g a b u d g e t p ro p o s a l a n d m a k i n g s u re i t re f l e c t s t h e g o a l s o f t h e d i s t r i c t a n d t h e c o m m u n i t y. I n a d d i t i o n , I b e l i eve b o a rd m e m b e r s m u s t h ave t h e w i l l i n g n e s s to l i s t e n a n d a c t o n t h e n e e d s a n d d e s i re s o f t h e c o m m u n i t y t h ro u g h c l e a r c o m m u n i c a t i o n , h o n e s t y, a n d i n t e g r i t y.

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden?

T h e b a l a n c e o f p rov i d i n g a q u a l i t y e d u c a t i o n w h i l e l i m i t i n g t a x p aye r b u rd e n s h o u l d b e t h e g o a l o f eve r y s c h o o l d i s t r i c t I b e l i eve t h a t yo u c a n' t m a n a g e w h a t yo u d o n' t m e a s u re T h i s s t a r t s w i t h e n s u r i n g t h a t m o n ey i s c a re f u l l y a l l o c a t e d a n d a p p ro p r i a t e l y e n t e re d i n to t h e b u d g e t a n d m e a s u r i n g t h e re s u l t s N o t d o i n g s o o p e n s t h e d o o r to w a s t e f u l s p e n d i n g t h u s u n n e c e s s a r i l y i n c re a s i n g t a x p aye r b u rd e n

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?

I a m a h u g e p ro p o n e n t o f CT E p ro g ra m s I u n d e r s t a n d t h a t c o l l e g e i s n o t a n o p t i o n f o r eve r y g ra d u a t e o f G u n t e r I S D t h e re f o re I fe e l s t ro n g l y a b o u t p rov i d i n g a p a t h to s u c c e s s t h ro u g h p ro g ra m s t h a t p rov i d e re a l - l i fe s k i l l s f o r yo u n g a d u l t s I n a d d i t i o n , I w o u l d l i ke G u n t e r I S D to l e a d i n d eve l o p i n g g ra d u a t e s w i t h a n e d u c a t i o n i n l i fe s k i l l s s u c h a s b u d g e t i n g , t a xe s , a n d i n ve s t i n g W i t h t h e s u c c e s s G u n t e r I S D h a s s e e n i n a t h l e t i c s ove r t h e l a s t s eve ra l ye a r s , I t h i n k t h i s i s a n a re a w e c a n a l l a g re e t h e d i s t r i c t d o e s w e l l . I b e l i eve t h a t o n e a re a o f i m p rove m e n t I s e e a s a m e m b e r o f t h e c o m m u n i t y i s t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n o r p e rc e i ve d l a c k t h e re o f b e t w e e n t h e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t a n d t h e p u b l i c . T h e m e t h o d by w h i c h i n f o r m a t i o n i s c o m m u n i c a t e d b e t w e e n t h e d i s t r i c t a n d t h e p u b l i c c o u l d b e i m p rove d .

In your view, what has the district done well over last five years? What has the district done poorly that you would change?

What guidelines do you think should be adopted by GISD with regard to bullying? *

I b e l i eve t h a t o u r s t u d e n t s w i l l l e a r n t h e m o s t w h e n t h ey a re i n a n e n v i ro n m e n t w h e re t h ey fe e l s a fe a n d re s p e c t e d a n d h ave t h e n e c e s s a r y m e a n s to g e t h e l p i f n e e d e d U n f o r t u n a t e l y, a g g re s s i o n i n t h e f o r m o f u n k i n d w o rd s a n d / o r p h y s i c a l a g g re s s i o n i s a p h y s i o l o g i c a l d i s p o s i t i o n t h a t s o m e a d o l e s c e n t s g o t h ro u g h a s t h e i r b o d i e s c h a n g e , o f c o u r s e , s o m e m o re t h a n o t h e r s I b e l i eve t h e l eve l t h a t t h i s re a c h e s c a n b e a f fe c t e d by t h e c u l t u re w i t h i n t h e d i s t r i c t T h i s s t a r t s w i t h p o l i c i e s a n d p ro c e d u re s t h a t a re c l e a r a n d s i m p l e a n d t h a t h o l d s t u d e n t s a c c o u n t a b l e f o r t h e i r a c t i o n s F i n a l l y, I b e l i eve i n p ro p e r l y t ra i n i n g s c h o o l s t a f f o n h o w to e n f o rc e t h e s e r u l e s a n d p o l i c i e s a n d p rov i d e t h e m w i t h t h e to o l s to re s p o n d to b u l l y i n g c o n s i s t e n t l y a n d a p p ro p r i a t e l y

I g re w u p i n P l a n o , Te x a s w i t h m y p a re n t s a n d a n o l d e r b ro t h e r a n d s i s t e r To d ay, I a m m a r r i e d to D e b ra a n d l i ve w i t h m y t w o d a u g h t e r s , S a m a n t h a , a s o p h o m o re a t G u n t e r H i g h S c h o o l , a n d Fa i t h , w h o i s i n c o l l e g e a n d b e g i n n i n g h e r c a re e r M y f a m i l y a n d I m ove d to G u n t e r i n J u l y o f 2 0 2 1 a f t e r l i v i n g i n C e l i n a f o r ro u g h l y 1 2 ye a r s A s a yo u n g a d u l t , I w a s h e av i l y i n vo l ve d i n C o m p u t e r A i d e d D ra f t i n g a s w e l l a s g ra p h i c d e s i g n a n d w o r ke d a s a n a p p l i c a t i o n s e n g i n e e r a n d Au to C A D i n s t r u c to r u n t i l p a r t n e r i n g w i t h a s t a r t u p e n g i n e e r i n g f i r m i n 1 9 9 9 I n m y l a t e 2 0 s a n d e a r l y 3 0 s , I s t a r t e d a f a m i l y a n d d e c i d e d t h a t I w a n t e d to d o s o m e t h i n g m o re c o m m u n i t y s e r v i c e o r i e n t e d s o I t ra i n e d to b e c a m e a f i re m a n a n d w o r ke d f o r D a l l a s F i re - R e s c u e a s w e l l a s t h e M c K i n n ey F i re D e p a r t m e n t a s a f i re m a n / p a ra m e d i c D u r i n g t h a t t i m e I l a u n c h e d a s u c c e s s f u l o n l i n e b u s i n e s s d eve l o p i n g a n d s e l l i n g p a ra m e d i c t ra i n i n g c o u r s e s . I s p e n t a n e n o r m o u s a m o u n t o f t i m e s t u d y i n g a n d b e c o m i n g a n e x p e r t i n e C o m m e rc e , m a r ke t i n g , a n d S E O w h i c h l e d m e to l a u n c h a s u b s c r i p t i o n b u s i n e s s i n 2 0 1 1 c a l l e d F i re h o u s e S h i r t C l u b w h e re f i re e n t h u s i a s t s c a n s u b s c r i b e a n d re c e i ve a n a u t h e n t i c t - s h i r t e a c h m o n t h f ro m a d i f fe re n t f i re s t a t i o n f ro m a ro u n d t h e w o r l d . I n o u r 1 1 + ye a r s i n b u s i n e s s , w e' ve d o n a t e d ove r $ 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 d i re c t l y b a c k to t h e m e n a n d w o m e n a t f i re s t a t i o n s a ro u n d t h e c o u n t r y. F i re h o u s e S h i r t C l u b c o n t i n u e s to t h r i ve a n d w a s t h e d r i v i n g f o rc e b e h i n d s t a r t i n g o u r l o c a l p r i n t i n g c o m p a n y, Ato m i c T- S h i r t s i n C e l i n a . To d ay, Ato m i c T- S h i r t s n o t o n l y p r i n t s f o r F i re h o u s e S h i r t C l u b b u t a l s o f o r c o u n t l e s s b u s i n e s s e s a n d o rg a n i z a t i o n s i n t h e a re a . I n 2 0 1 8 / 2 0 1 9 , m y w i fe a n d I b u i l t a w e d d i n g ve n u e i n G u n t e r, Tx o n l a n d w e h a d p u rc h a s e d a fe w ye a r s p r i o r. S h e a n d I w e re t h e f i r s t to m a r r y t h e re i n Fe b r u a r y o f 2 0 1 9 a n d w e' ve b e e n c e l e b ra t i n g w e d d i n g s a n d eve n t s a t B e l l a Te r ra Ve n u e eve r s i n c e To d ay I s p e n d m o s t o f m y p ro fe s s i o n a l t i m e l e a r n i n g a s m u c h a s I c a n a b o u t b ra n d i n g a n d m a r ke t i n g t h e b u s i n e s s e s I o p e ra t e a n d g ro w i n g a s a l e a d e r

I 'm a f i r m b e l i eve r t h a t yo u c a n o n l y e x p e c t to g e t o u t w h a t yo u p u t i n T h i s i s t h e re a s o n I w o r k h a rd to c o n t i n u e to b e a n a s s e t to t h e c o m m u n i t y S o m e t i m e s t h a t m e a n s a s a b u s i n e s s a n d s o m e t i m e s t h a t m e a n s m e p e r s o n a l l y A s a n i n d i v i d u a l , I c u r re n t l y s e r ve o n a c o u p l e o f b o a rd s i n c l u d i n g t h e C e l i n a C h a m b e r o f C o m m e rc e , a n d t h e C e l i n a Ed u c a t i o n Fo u n d a t i o n a s w e l l a s b e i n g a m e m b e r o f t h e s t e e r i n g c o m m i t t e e f o r t h e L e a d e r s h i p C e l i n a c l a s s

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2 1 4 - 9 0 6 - 3 1 2 6 h t t p s : // w w w J i m S c a n o Fo r G u n t e r I S D c o m h t t p s : // w w w f a c e b o o k c o m / J i m S c a n o Fo r G u n t e r I S D

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Jason Padgett

Gunter ISD Candidate Questionnaire

Thank you for participating.  We will compile all the answers into one document to share on OurGunter social media as well as the Gunter Chamber of Commerce social media.

Please upload a photo of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply but your name and place you are running in.

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e l e c t i o n - J a s o n

Name *

J a s o n Pa d g e t t

Office You Are Running For (place # or position) *

G u n t e r I S D S c h o o l B o a rd Tr u s t e e

Phone # (if we have any questions while compiling list) *

Why are you running for GISD School Board? *

I am running for reelection so I can help make sure every student gets a solid education and has a plan for life after high school whether that be college, trade school, military, or going out to the workforce and making an impact in our world.

What are your top three priority issues? *

My top 3 priorities are:

1 ) Q u a l i t y e d u c a t i o n f o r eve r y s t u d e n t

2 ) I m p rove d s a fe t y i n o u r s c h o o l s

3 ) I m p rove d Te a c h e r re t e n t i o n w i t h i n t h e d i s t r i c t

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the GISD Board? *

T h e d i v i s i o n t h a t s o m e c o m m u n i t y m e m b e r s h ave c a u s e d w i t h i n o u r to w n i n t h e p a s t ye a r o r t w o h a s m e d e e p l y c o n c e r n e d t h a t i f w e c h a n g e t h e s c h o o l b o a rd m e m b e r s n o w i t c o u l d d ra s t i c a l l y c h a n g e o u r e d u c a t i o n f o r t h e w o r s e . I w a n t to r u n f o r re e l e c t i o n s o w e c a n c o n t i n u e t h e e xc e l l e n t s t a n d a rd s w e h ave i n p l a c e .

What do you see as the opportunities and challenges in this district? *

R i g h t n o w t h e re a re o p p o r t u n i t i e s s u c h a s t h e g ro w t h w e a re s e e i n g c o m e o u r w ay i n G u n t e r. T h e o p p o r t u n i t i e s i n c l u d e m a k i n g s u re w e a re b u i l d i n g n e w e r s t a t e o f t h e a r t b u i l d i n g s f o r o u r c h i l d re n to l e a r n i n a n d c o n t i n u i n g to h i re ve r y g o o d t e a c h e r s l i ke w e h ave n o w to c o n t i n u e t h e p o s i t i ve e d u c a t i o n o u r k i d s a re re c e i v i n g

I w o u l d s ay t h e b i g g e s t c h a l l e n g e s t h a t d o e s n' t i n c l u d e j u s t o u r d i s t r i c t b u t d i s t r i c t s a l l ove r I t i s b a l a n c i n g s c h o o l s e c u r i t y w i t h p o s i t i ve l e a r n i n g S c h o o l s a re h a rd e n i n g b u i l d i n g s to ke e p o u r c h i l d re n s a fe , w h i c h i s n e e d e d H o w eve r, i n t h e p ro c e s s , s c h o o l s r i s k t u r n i n g t h e e n v i ro n m e n t i n to o n e t h a t c o u l d c l o s e l y re s e m b l e a c l o s e d e n v i ro n m e n t f o r k i d s I t h i n k a re m e d y to t h i s s o l u t i o n w o u l d b e to m a ke s u re a d m i n i s t ra to r s a re m i n d f u l o f p u t t i n g i n p l a c e e q u a l l y, i f n o t m o re , e f fe c t i ve s o c i a l - e m o t i o n a l p reve n t i o n s t ra t e g i e s C o n t i n u i n g to h i re m o re S t u d e n t R e s o u rc e o f f i c e r s i s o n o u r c u r re n t ra d a r a n d I w o u l d l i ke to s e e i t d o n e s o o n e r ra t h e r t h a n l a t e r A n o t h e r c h a l l e n g e f o r o u r d i s t r i c t a n d a l l o t h e r s i s t e a c h e r s h o r t a g e s W i t h t h e t re n d c o n t i n u i n g i n to t h i s s c h o o l ye a r, s c h o o l s a re l o o k i n g f o r w ay s to a t t ra c t a n d re t a i n q u a l i t y t e a c h e r s B u i d l i n g a c a re e r l a d d e r f o r t e a c h e r s to p u r s u e , p rov i d i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r c o l l a b o ra t i o n a n d f a c i l i t a t i n g d eve l o p m e n t , a n d c re a t i n g a s u p p o r t i ve e n v i ro n m e n t t h a t e n c o u ra g e s c re a t i v i t y c a n b e key i n c re a t i n g i n c e n t i ve s f o r t e a c h e r s to s t ay i n t h e p ro fe s s i o n .

How do you feel about the current teacher/student ratio and what options does GISD have to change it if you feel that is necessary?

I fe e l t h a t c u r re n t t e a c h e r / s t u d e n t ra t i o i s g o o d . C o u l d i t b e b e t t e r ? A b s o l u t e l y. T h e re a re s o m e c l a s s e s t h a t h ave m u c h to o m a n y s t u d e n t s p e r t e a c h e r a n d t h e re a re o t h e r s t h a t h ave ve r y fe w s t u d e n t s to t e a c h e r Pa r t o f t h e i s s u e i s a l l o w i n g t h e m a s t e r s c h e d u l e to b e m a d e by t h e p r i n c i p a l T h e p r i n c i p a l h a s m a n y t h i n g s g o i n g o n d u r i n g t h e s u m m e r s a n d I fe e l i f w e a l l o w t h e a d m i n s a t c e n t ra l o f f i c e to m a n a g e t h e m a s t e r s c h e d u l e s w e c a n h ave a b e t t e r t e a c h e r / s t u d e n t ra t i o c o n s i s t e n t l y

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members? *

N u m b e r o n e d i f fe re n t i a to r w o u l d b e e x p e r i e n c e . I h ave s e r ve d 3 ye a r s o n t h e b o a rd a l re a d y a n d w e h ave a s t ra t e g i c g o a l i n p l a c e a n d w e a re o n t h a t p a t h a l re a d y s o t h e re i s n o t ra i n i n g i n vo l ve d w i t h m y s e l f .

S e c o n d , I c o m e f ro m a b a c kg ro u n d o f e d u c a t i o n . B o t h o f m y p a re n t s w e re e d u c a to r s a n d m y m o t h e r w a s a n a d m i n i s t ra to r f o r a l a rg e N o r t h Te x a s d i s t r i c t . I h ave b e e n a ro u n d i t a l l m y l i fe . I c o m b i n e t h a t w i t h m y b u s i n e s s e x p e r i e n c e o f m a n a g e m e n t a n d f i n a n c e a n d t h a t h e l p s w i t h t h e b u s i n e s s s i d e o f t h e b u d g e t o n t h e d i s t r i c t T h e s c h o o l b o a rd w e a r s m a n y h a t s I t i s n' t j u s t t h e e d u c a t i o n s i d e o f i t b u t i t i s a l s o a b u s i n e s s t h a t n e e d s to b e f i s c a l l y re s p o n s i b l e J u s t b e c a u s e yo u m ay h ave b e e n i n e d u c a t i o n f o r 3 0 ye a r s d o e s n' t m e a n yo u w i l l b e a g re a t s c h o o l b o a rd t r u s t e e b u t I fe e l w i t h m e h av i n g b o t h s i d e s o f e x p e r i e n c e I h ave a l e g u p o n o t h e r s

L a s t l y, I h ave b e e n a p a r t o f a s t a t e re c o g n i ze d s c h o o l b o a rd t h a t h a s a c c o m p l i s h e d a l o t i n t h e l a s t t h re e ye a r s I h ave h e l p e d t h e n av i g a t i o n o f t h e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t t h ro u g h C ov i d I h ave h e l p e d t h e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t p a s s a m u c h n e e d e d s c h o o l b o n d to b u i l d a n e w e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l a n d p u rc h a s e o f l a n d f o r a n e w h i g h s c h o o l T h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t j o b a s c h o o l b o a rd w i l l eve r h ave i s h i r i n g a n e w s u p e r i n t e n d e n t , o r C E O o f t h e d i s t r i c t We d i d t h a t a s w e l l i n m y t h re e ye a r s s e r v i n g o n t h e b o a rd

E x p e r i e n c e m a t t e r s !

What attributes and behaviors are essential for school board members? *

S c h o o l b o a rd m e m b e r s n e e d to b e d e d i c a t e d a n d c o m m i t t e d Ef fe c t i ve b o a rd m e m b e r s b r i n g a l o t to t h e t a b l e a n d m a i n t a i n a n u n w ave r i n g i n t e re s t to a c h i eve t h e g o a l s o f t h e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t . O t h e r p e r s o n a l a g e n d a s a re n o t w e l c o m e .

T h ey h ave t h e a b i l i t y to l e a d a n d i n f l u e n c e o t h e r s to p u r s u e t h e g o a l s o f t h e o rg a n i z a t i o n . T h ey h ave t h e s p i r i t to d r i ve to s e t d i re c t i o n i n o rd e r to f u l f i l l t h e d i s t r i c t 's b u s i n e s s g o a l s .

T h ey n e e d to b r i n g c a n d o r to b o a rd m e e t i n g s . T h ey s h o u l d b e a b l e to e n g a g e o t h e r b o a rd m e m b e r s i n d i s c u s s i o n s a n d d e b a t e s w i t h o u t b e i n g a r ro g a n t o r d i s re s p e c t f u l . B e i n g o b j e c t i ve a n d i m p a r t i a l a n d e f fe c t i ve l y d r i v i n g a p o i n t a c ro s s w i t h o u t m a k i n g t h i n g s p e r s o n a l i s b i g .

T h ey s h o u l d b e k n o w l e d g e a b l e a b o u t t h e d i s t r i c t a n d i t s c u l t u re , o p e ra t i o n s , m i s s i o n , a n d v i s i o n T h ey s h o u l d a l s o h ave a d e s i re to l e a r n a n d s e e k p e r s o n a l a n d p ro fe s s i o n a l d eve l o p m e n t

T h e b i g g e s t t ra i t i s b e i n g t r u s t w o r t h y B o a rd d i s c u s s i o n s a n d m e e t i n g s a re c o n f i d e n t i a l w h e n i n c l o s e d s e s s i o n s T h ey s h o u l d a l w ay s s u p p o r t t h e d e c i s i o n o f t h e b o a rd w h e n s p e a k i n g o n b e h a l f o f t h e d i s t r i c t a n d w o r k a s a t e a m o f 8

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden?

S c h o o l b o a rd m e m b e r s w e re e l e c t e d by l o c a l t a x p aye r s s o t h ey d o h ave a d vo c a t e f o r t h e l o c a l c o m m u n i t y b u t t h ey a l s o h ave to m a ke s u re t h e i r p r i o r i t i e s a re t h e s t u d e n t s i n t e re s t s s o t h ey j u s t h ave to b a l a n c e t h e m O u r d i s t r i c t j u s t c h a n g e d c u r r i c u l u m to t h e T R S c u r r i c u l u m a n d i t i s d i f f i c u l t w h e n s w i t c h i n g c u r r i c u l u m s f o r t h e t e a c h e r s a n d s t a f f S o t h e i s s u e w e n e e d to a d d re s s i s h av i n g m o re r i g o ro u s t ra i n i n g o n t h e T R S c u r r i c u l u m f o r o u r t e a c h e r s s o t h ey a re b e t t e r p re p a re d to u s e i t i n t h e n e x t s c h o o l ye a r

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?

In your view, what has the district done well over last five years? What has the district done poorly that you would change?

I t h i n k t h e d i s t r i c t h a s d o n e p h e n o m e n a l i n t h e l a s t f i ve ye a r s . Fro m o u r a c a d e m i c s o f b e i n g a h i g h l y ra t e d s c h o o l d i s t r i c t to t h e a t h l e t i c s to t h e b a n d a n d t h e f i n e a r t s to t h e F FA a n d m o re , w e e xc e l i n a l l c a t e g o r i e s . S o m e t h i n g t h a t i s u s e d to m e a s u re h o w "a l l a ro u n d " o u r d i s t r i c t i s w o u l d b e t h e L o n e S t a r C u p . I t ra t e s o u r ove ra l l p e r f o r m a n c e o n a l l e x t ra c u r r i c u l a r a c t i v i t i e s . T h a t i n c l u d e s n o t o n l y s p o r t s b u t a l s o o n e a c t p l ay s , b a n d c o m p e t i t i o n s , e t c . G u n t e r f o r t h e l a s t 5 ye a r s h a s b e e n c o n s i s t e n t l y i n t h e to p 5 3 A s c h o o l s i n t h e s t a n d i n g s f o r t h e L o n e S t a r C u p . I w o u l d s ay t h a t i s p re t t y a m a z i n g !

What guidelines do you think should be adopted by GISD with regard to bullying? *

G u n t e r a c t u a l l y h a s a ve r y g o o d b u l l y i n g a n d c y b e r b u l l y i n g p o l i c y i n p l a c e n o w. Yo u c a n g o to h t t p s : // w w w g u n t e r i s d o rg / p a g e / b u l l y i n g - c y b e r b u l l y i n g / c h e c k i t o u t C a n t h e re b e i m p rove m e n t s to t h e p o l i c y ? A b s o l u t e l y C y b e r b u l l y i n g i s p ro b a b l y t h e m o s t c o m m o n f o r m o f b u l l y i n g i n o u r t i m e s r i g h t n o w b e c a u s e o f s o c i a l m e d i a S c h o o l - w i d e m o d e l s , s u c h a s a p o s i t i ve b e h av i o r s u p p o r t s y s t e m , c a n h e l p p reve n t s o m e o r m o s t b u l l y i n g , a s t h ey e s t a b l i s h a c l i m a t e o f p o s i t i ve b e h av i o r i n t h e s c h o o l We a re c o n s t a n t l y re s e a rc h i n g to c o m e u p w i t h b e t t e r w ay s to avo i d b u l l y i n g i n o u r d i s t r i c t

M y n a m e i s J a s o n Pa d g e t t I a m m a r r i e d to m y w i fe o f 6 ye a r s , K r i s t y We h ave a b l e n d e d f a m i l y o f 4 d a u g h t e r s : A l l i s o n , a s e n i o r E m i l e e , a s o p h o m o re L a u re n , a f re s h m a n , a n d L a n d r y, a 5 t h g ra d e r I h ave b e e n i n G u n t e r s i n c e 2 0 1 9 a n d t h e s c h o o l b o a rd s i n c e 2 0 2 0 I l i ke to vo l u n t e e r m y t i m e a s m u c h a s p o s s i b l e a n d b e s i d e s t h e s c h o o l b o a rd I vo l u n t e e r a t G ra c e B i b l e Fe l l o w s h i p i n G u n t e r a n d I a l s o a m o n t h e l o c a l G u n t e r L i b ra r y a n d M u s e u m b o a rd o f d i re c to r s I h ave a b a c h e l o r s d e g re e i n C r i m i n a l J u s t i c e f ro m S t e p h e n F Au s t i n U n i ve r s i t y a n d a M a s t e r s i n M a n a g e m e n t f ro m D a l l a s B a p t i s t U n i ve r s i t y I a m c u r re n t l y a R e g i o n a l S a l e s M a n a g e r f o r A q u a F i n a n c e , a re c re a t i o n a l ve h i c l e f i n a n c e c o m p a n y a n d m y c l i e n t s a re i n Te x a s , O k l a h o m a , N e w M e x i c o , L o u i s i a n a a n d A r k a n s a s I a m a n o p e n b o o k s o p l e a s e c a l l m e a n y t i m e a t 8 1 7 - 9 1 7 - 2 5 8 7 a n d i f yo u n e e d to g e t m o re i n f o r m a t i o n o n m y c a m p a i g n p l e a s e g o to f a c e b o o k a n d t y p e i n R e - E l e c t J a s o n Pa d g e t t f o r G u n t e r I S D S c h o o l B o a rd Tr u s t e e o r c l i c k o n t h i s l i n k : h t t p s : // w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / vo t e j a s o n p a d g e t t f o rg i s d / T h a n k yo u f o r yo u r t i m e i n re a d i n g t h i s a n d I h o p e to e a r n yo u r vo t e t h i s m o n t h !

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Forms

Biographical Information and Contacts:  (brief intro about you, your education, experience, community service as well as your campaign contact email/phone/website and/or Facebook page link)

John Jonas

Gunter ISD Candidate Questionnaire

Thank you for participating.  We will compile all the answers into one document to share on OurGunter social media as well as the Gunter Chamber of Commerce social media.

Please upload a photo of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply but your name and place you are running in.

Please upload a JPG of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply put your first and last name.

Name *

J o h n J o n a s

Office You Are Running For (place # or position) *

S c h o o l B o a rd Tr u s t e e

Phone # (if we have any questions while compiling list) *

Why are you running for GISD School Board? *

I a m r u n n i n g f o r re e l e c t i o n b e c a u s e i t m y h e a r t s d e s i re to s e r ve G I S D

What are your top three priority issues? *

Te a c h e r a n d Pa re n t S u p p o r t S a fe s c h o o l s S a fe c u r r i c u l u m

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the GISD Board? *

C o n t i n u e t h e e xc e l l e n c e a n d t h e m i s s i o n s t a t e m e n t f o r G I S D

What do you see as the opportunities and challenges in this district? *

We n e e d m o re p ro d u c t i ve a n d p o s i t i ve d i s c u s s i o n s w i t h p a re n t s a n d t e a c h e r s

How do you feel about the current teacher/student ratio and what options does GISD have to change it if you feel that is necessary?

We a re a t a h e a l t h y p o s i t i o n a n d w o r k i n g to ke e p t h e ra t i o n i n t h e b e s t p l a c e t h e s e r ve s t h e s t u d e n t

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members? *

We h ave a g re a t t e a m o f 8 a n d I a m s t ro n g o n ke e p i n g t h e g o a l o f s e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y

What attributes and behaviors are essential for school board members? *

ke e p d eve l o p i n g t h e a r t o f t h e l i s t e n i n g e a r a n d l i s t e n i n g to t h e p e o p l e a n d f o c u s o f t h e m i s s i o n o f t h e G I S D to p rov i d e a q u a l i t y e d u c a t i o n f o r t h e s t u d e n t s

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden?

B e g o o d s t e w a rd s w i t h o u r t a x d o l l a r s a n d t h e c o n s t a n t p u r s u i t o f e xc e l l e n c e i n e d u c a t i o n

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?

We a re a h e a l t h y d i s t r i c t i n re g a rd to o u r a c a d e m i c s a n d g i v i n g o u r t e a c h e r s t h e to o l s t h ey n e e d to d o t h e i r j o b s i n t h e c l a s s ro o m s

In your view, what has the district done well over last five years? What has the district done poorly that you would change?

We h ave d o n e a n e xc e l l e n t j o b i n o u r g o a l s o f a c a d e m i c s a n d a t h l e t i c s a n d w e a re re c o g n i ze d by t h e s t a t e to b e o n e o f t h e b e s t d i s t r i c t s i n Te x a s a n d w e a re s t u d y i n g m o d e l s o f o t h e r s f a s t g ro w i n g d i s t r i c t s to s t ay a h e a d o f t h e g ro w t h t h a t i s c o m i n g a n d o f c o u r s e t h e re i s a l w ay s ro o m f o r i m p rove m e n t a n d ke e p i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y i n vo l ve d

What guidelines do you think should be adopted by GISD with regard to bullying? *

I b e l i eve i n a ze ro to l e ra n c e w h e n i t c o m e s to b u l l y i n g a n d h ave w o r k s h o p s w i t h t e a c h e r s p a re n t s a n d s t u d e n t to i n f o r m a n d e d u c a t e eve r yo n e w i t h s k i l l s to a d d re s s t h i s to p i c i n o u r c u r re n t e n v i ro n m e n t w e l i ve i n

Biographical Information and Contacts:  (brief intro about you, your education, experience, community service as well as your campaign contact email/phone/website and/or Facebook page link)

S t u d i e d a t 4 u n i ve r s i t i e s w i t h a B a c h e l o r s D e g re e 4 2 ye a r s w o r k i n g w i t h yo u t h i n f o u r d i f fe re n t s t a t e s a n d s e r ve d a s a vo l u n t e e r w e i g h t c o a c h i n 4 s t a t e s h e l d s c h o o l s a s s e m b l i e s a c ro s s A m e r i c a i n p u b l i c s c h o o l s o n t e e n re l a t e d i s s u e s t a u g h t c o u r s e s o n Pa re n t - Te e n R e l a t i o n s h i p s v i s i t m y w e b s i t e w w w. re e l e c t j o h n j o n a s . c o m

This content is neither created nor endorsed by Google.

Forms

Martha Paben

Gunter ISD Candidate Questionnaire

Thank you for participating.  We will compile all the answers into one document to share on OurGunter social media as well as the Gunter Chamber of Commerce social media.

Please upload a photo of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply but your name and place you are running in.

Please upload a JPG of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply put your first and last name.

Name *

Office You Are Running For (place # or position) *

Phone # (if we have any questions while compiling list) *

Why are you running for GISD School Board? *

As a parent of two children in our schools, I have a very vested interest in ensuring that we maintain the excellence that now exists in Gunter ISD. I believe that our School Board needs educators, like me, who have experience in the classroom and working with the day-to-day operations of a school district.

What are your top three priority issues? *

M y to p 3 p r i o r i t i e s , i n n o p a r t i c u l a r o rd e r, a re t h e f o l l o w i n g :

S t a f f m o ra l e a n d re t e n t i o n - Ed u c a t i o n i s a n e c e s s i t y a n d a p r i o r i t y. T h a t m e a n s h i r i n g a n d re t a i n i n g q u a l i t y e d u c a to r s . To o m a n y o f o u r t e a c h e r s , a d m i n i s t ra to r s , a n d s t a f f a re u n h a p py a n d / o r fe e l i n g i n t i m i d a t e d to s p e a k u p . O u r d i s t r i c t i s b e i n g u s e d a s a s t e p p i n g s to n e w h e re t h ey c o m e f o r a fe w ye a r s a n d t h e n m ove o n . We n e e d to ke e p t h e m h e re ! We n e e d to a t t ra c t h i g h c a l i b e r c a n d i d a t e s w i t h a p a s s i o n f o r G u n t e r I S D a n d o u r s t u d e n t s

D i s t r i c t G ro w t h - G u n t e r I S D n e e d s to p re p a re , i n a f i s c a l l y re s p o n s i b l e m a n n e r, f o r t h e g ro w t h t h a t i s i n ev i t a b l y c o m i n g T h i s i n c l u d e s i n f ra s t r u c t u re , s t a f f , a c a d e m i c c u r r i c u l u m , a n d a t h l e t i c p ro g ra m m i n g t h a t m i g h t b e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h a n y n e w s c h o o l s I h ave e x t e n s i ve e x p e r i e n c e w i t h d i s t r i c t s t h a t h ave p re p a re d w e l l f o r g ro w t h a n d o t h e r s t h a t h ave n o t We n e e d to b e p ro a c t i ve a n d s e t o u r s e l ve s u p f o r s u c c e s s Ed u c a t i o n f i r s t c u l t u re - C re a t e a c u l t u re o f Ed u c a t i o n f i r s t t h ro u g h o u t t h e d i s t r i c t T h i s i n c l u d e s a t h o ro u g h eva l u a t i o n o f o u r d i s t r i c t c u r r i c u l u m to e n s u re o u r g ra d u a t e s a re f u l l y p re p a re d f o r t h e j o b m a r ke t t h ey w i l l b e e n t e r i n g , a s w e l l a s w i t h n e c e s s a r y l i fe s k i l l s We n e e d to e n s u re t h a t 1 0 0 % o f o u r g ra d u a t e s a re a b l e to a t t e n d s o m e f o r m o f p o s t s e c o n d a r y e d u c a t i o n , i n c l u d i n g c o l l e g e , t ra d e s c h o o l s , a r m e d f o rc e s , o r a p p re n t i c e s h i p s

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the GISD Board? *

Tra n s p a re n c y We n e e d to p rov i d e t ra n s p a re n c y to s t a f f , s t u d e n t s , a n d p a re n t s re g a rd i n g h o w a n d w h y d e c i s i o n s a re m a d e f o r t h e d i s t r i c t To o m u c h i s b e i n g d o n e “ b e h i n d c l o s e d d o o r s ” w i t h o u t c o m m u n i t y i n vo l ve m e n t o r c o m m u n i c a t i o n . W h e re a p p ro p r i a t e , t h e d i s t r i c t n e e d s to i n vo l ve t h e c o m m u n i t y i n m a k i n g t h o s e d e c i s i o n s to g i ve t h e m a ve s t e d i n t e re s t a n d e n c o u ra g e p a r t i c i p a t i o n .

What do you see as the opportunities and challenges in this district? *

A s m e n t i o n e d i n o t h e r q u e s t i o n s , G u n t e r I S D h a s s o m e c h a l l e n g e s w i t h s t a f f m o ra l e a n d t h e c u r re n t c u l t u re o f i n t i m i d a t i o n t h a t h a s b e e n c re a t e d . We h ave a n o p p o r t u n i t y h e re to e n s u re o p e n c o m m u n i c a t i o n b e t w e e n a d m i n i s t ra t i o n , e d u c a to r s , p a re n t s , a n d s t u d e n t s , e s p e c i a l l y w h e n vo i c i n g c o n c e r n s . N o o n e s h o u l d fe e l i n t i m i d a t e d w h e n vo i c i n g a c o n c e r n ! B u l l y i n g o f s t a f f , s t u d e n t s , a n d p a re n t s s h o u l d N E V E R h a p p e n i n G u n t e r I S D.

How do you feel about the current teacher/student ratio and what options does GISD have to change it if you feel that is necessary?

*

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members? *

G u n t e r I S D a l s o h a s s o m e c h a l l e n g e s a p p ro a c h i n g w i t h t h e g ro w t h t h a t i s c o m i n g o u r w ay B u t , w e a l s o h ave a n o p p o r t u n i t y to b e p ro a c t i ve a n d p re p a re f o r i t I f w e p u t t h i n g s i n p l a c e l i ke i n f ra s t r u c t u re ( i e n e w s c h o o l s , m o re b u s e s , e t c ) , q u a l i t y s t a f f , r i g o ro u s c u r r i c u l u m , a n d o u t s t a n d i n g a t h l e t i c s , w e c a n s e t o u r s e l ve s u p f o r s u c c e s s T h e n , w h e n t h e g ro w t h c o m e s , t h e re w o n’ t b e s u c h a n e g a t i ve r i p p l e t h ro u g h o u t t h e d i s t r i c t b e c a u s e w e w o n’ t b e s c ra m b l i n g to f i x i s s u e s re t ro a c t i ve l y I n m y 2 2 ye a r s i n e d u c a t i o n , I h ave l e a r n e d t h a t s m a l l e r c l a s s s i ze s a re e s s e n t i a l f o r b o t h s t u d e n t s a n d t e a c h e r s S m a l l e r c l a s s s i ze s a l l o w f o r t h e d i f fe re n t i a t i o n t h a t m u s t h a p p e n to m e e t s t u d e n t s ’ e d u c a t i o n a l n e e d s S m a l l e r c l a s s s i ze s a l s o s u b s t a n t i a l l y c u t d o w n o n d i s c i p l i n a r y i s s u e s Fro m w h a t I h ave s e e n w i t h m y o w n c h i l d re n , G u n t e r i s d o i n g a p re t t y g o o d j o b o f ke e p i n g t h o s e n u m b e r s l o w. T h i s n e e d s to b e c o n t i n u e d by h i r i n g e n o u g h t e a c h e r s , o f fe r i n g a va r i e t y o f e l e c t i ve a n d “ s p e c i a l s ” o p t i o n s , a n d w o r k i n g w i t h a d m i n i s t ra to r s to a d j u s t m a s t e r s c h e d u l e s a s n e e d e d to e n s u re t h e s e ra t i o s s t ay s m a l l . W h a t d i f fe re n t i a t e s m e i s m y e x p e r i e n c e i n t h e e d u c a t i o n a l f i e l d . I h ave e x p e r i e n c e a s a t e a c h e r, a n a d m i n i s t ra to r, a n d a s a p a re n t . I h ave w o r ke d i n d i ve r s e d i s t r i c t s w i t h m a n y d i f fe re n t p o p u l a t i o n s o f s t u d e n t s , t e a c h e r s , a d m i n i s t ra to r s , p a re n t s , a n d s t a f f . T h i s e x p e r i e n c e a l l o w s m e to l o o k a t i s s u e s f ro m m u l t i p l e p e r s p e c t i ve s a n d c o n s i d e r d i f fe re n t p o i n t s o f v i e w. I f t h e re i s o n e t h i n g I h ave l e a r n e d i n m y 2 2 ye a r s i n e d u c a t i o n , i t i s t h a t t h e re a re a t l e a s t t w o ( m o s t o f t h e t i m e m o re ) s i d e s to t h e s to r y. T h i s h a s t a u g h t m e to l i s t e n f i r s t , c o n s i d e r a n d t h e n o f fe r s o l u t i o n s a f t e r h e a r i n g a l l t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s .

What attributes and behaviors are essential for school board members? *

I b e l i eve t h a t s c h o o l b o a rd m e m b e r s m u s t l e a d w i t h a s e r va n t h e a r t , a s t h ey a re t h e vo i c e o f m a n y d i f fe re n t p o p u l a t i o n s - s t u d e n t s , p a re n t s , t e a c h e r s , s t a f f , a d m i n i s t ra to r s , to n a m e a fe w. A s c h o o l b o a rd m e m b e r m u s t b e a g o o d l i s t e n e r, a l w ay s w i l l i n g to l i s t e n f i r s t b e f o re t a k i n g a c t i o n , a n d t h ey m u s t a c t w i t h i n t e g r i t y, a s t h e p o s i t i o n o f b e i n g o n t h e s c h o o l b o a rd i s a p r i v i l e g e . T h ey m u s t b e w i l l i n g to b e t ra n s p a re n t a n d c o o p e ra t i ve w i t h t h e s c h o o l c o m m u n i t y, a s w e l l a s o p e n to n e w i d e a s a n d p e r s p e c t i ve s to b e t t e r s e r ve a n eve r - c h a n g i n g p o p u l a t i o n .

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden?

Tra n s p a re n c y i s key ! We h ave a t h r i v i n g , a c t i ve c o m m u n i t y t h a t w a n t s to b e “ i n t h e k n o w ” a n d h e l p to m a i n t a i n t h e e xc e l l e n t e d u c a t i o n t h a t G u n t e r i s k n o w n f o r B y ke e p i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y i n vo l ve d a n d a s k i n g f o r i n p u t , o u r c o m m u n i t y c a n h e l p t h e d i s t r i c t to i m p l e m e n t p o s i t i ve c h a n g e s a n d c o m e u p w i t h i n n ova t i ve s o l u t i o n s w h e n p ro b l e m s d o a r i s e G u n t e r h a s s o m e b r i l l i a n t c i t i ze n s t h a t a re c u r re n t l y u n t a p p e d re s o u rc e s We c o u l d b e u t i l i z i n g o u r c o m m u n i t y m e m b e r s f o r c u r r i c u l a r e n h a n c e m e n t o r to f o r m p a n e l s / c o m m i t t e e s to h e l p s o l ve i s s u e s w h e n t h ey a r i s e W h e n o u r c o m m u n i t y i s i n f o r m e d a n d h a s a ve s t e d i n t e re s t , t h ey b u y - i n to e d u c a t i o n a n d s u p p o r t i t

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?

T h e re a re t w o a re a s w h e re G u n t e r I S D c o u l d i m p rove . We n e e d to e x p a n d o u r o n - c a m p u s re s o u rc e s a n d o f fe r i n g s f o r s p e c i a l e d u c a t i o n s t u d e n t s , E n g l i s h l a n g u a g e l e a r n e r s , e xc e p t i o n a l l e a r n e r s a n d o t h e r g ro u p s o f s t u d e n t s t h a t a re t y p i c a l l y m a rg i n a l i ze d i n t ra d i t i o n a l e d u c a t i o n s e t t i n g s . T h i s a l s o i n c l u d e s h i g h l i g h t i n g a c h i eve m e n t s o f A L L s t u d e n t s b o t h a c a d e m i c a l l y a n d i n e x t ra c u r r i c u l a r a c t i v i t i e s , i n c l u d i n g n o n - s p o r t s b a s e d a c t i v i t i e s .

G u n t e r I S D a l s o n e e d s to c o n t i n u e to e x p a n d t h e d i ve r s i t y a n d t y p e s o f e l e c t i ve s a n d “ s p e c i a l s ” t h a t a re o f fe re d I t i s w e l l k n o w n t h a t p ro g ra m m i n g i n t h e a r t s h e l p s to b o l s t e r a c a d e m i c a c h i eve m e n t i n c o re s u b j e c t s , a s w e l l a s p rov i d i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r s t u d e n t s w h o m ay n o t b e a t h l e t i c a l l y i n c l i n e d O u r d i s t r i c t i s d i ve r s i f y i n g a n d i t w i l l c o n t i n u e to g e t m o re d i ve r s e a s t h e c o m m u n i t y g ro w s

In your view, what has the district done well over last five years? What has the district done poorly that you would change?

O u r d i s t r i c t i s d o i n g a l o t o f t h i n g s w e l l ! We h ave e xc e l l e n t a c a d e m i c a n d e x t ra c u r r i c u l a r p ro g ra m s w i t h a l a rg e n u m b e r o f a c c o l a d e s a n d a c h i eve m e n t s M a n y o f o u r s t u d e n t s u p o n g ra d u a t i n g re c e i ve b o t h a h i g h s c h o o l d i p l o m a a n d a p o s t - s e c o n d a r y a s s o c i a t e s d e g re e S t u d e n t s w h o a t t e n d G u n t e r I S D t r u l y re c e i ve a n e xc e l l e n t e d u c a t i o n

O n e a re a i n w h i c h G u n t e r I S D h a s f a l l e n s h o r t i s w i t h t h e p l a n n i n g f o r f u t u re g ro w t h P rev i o u s S c h o o l B o a rd s d i d n o t p l a n a s t h ey s h o u l d h ave f o r t h e i n ev i t a b l e g ro w t h c o m i n g o u r w ay T h i s h a s l e f t u s s c ra m b l i n g a n d m a k i n g r u s h e d p l a n s f o r t h e f u t u re H a d w e a d e q u a t e l y p re p a re d f i ve to t e n ye a r s a g o , w e w o u l d n o t b e i n o u r c u r re n t p o s i t i o n w h e re w e h ave to a s k o u r c o m m u n i t y f o r va r i o u s b o n d re fe re n d u m s w i t h i n a s h o r t p e r i o d o f t i m e We w o u l d h ave a l s o h a d t i m e to g a t h e r t h e n e c e s s a r y f i n a n c i a l re s o u rc e s to a p p ro p r i a t e l y s t a f f a n y n e w s c h o o l s w i t h h i g h - q u a l i t y e d u c a to r s a n d a d m i n i s t ra to r s O u r d i s t r i c t i s n o t a d e q u a t e l y p re p a re d a n d s t a f fe d w i t h e n o u g h c o u n s e l o r s a n d m e n t a l h e a l t h p ro fe s s i o n a l s to m e e t t h e n e e d s o f o u r c u r re n t a n d f u t u re s t u d e n t p o p u l a t i o n s S t u d e n t s to d ay f a c e i s s u e s t h a t d i d n’ t eve n e x i s t t e n ye a r s a g o W i t h t h e a d ve n t o f s o c i a l m e d i a a n d e a s y a c c e s s to t e c h n o l o g y, s t u d e n t s n o w, m o re t h a n eve r, c a n h i d e b e h i n d a s c re e n a n d b u l l y o n e a n o t h e r a n o n y m o u s l y. I t h a s b e e n p rove n t h a t p o l i c i e s s u c h a s “ ze ro to l e ra n c e” d o n o t w o r k b e c a u s e t h ey d o n’ t a l l o w f o r c o n s i d e ra t i o n o f e a c h c a s e i n d i v i d u a l l y. B y h i r i n g m o re c o u n s e l o r s a n d i m p l e m e n t i n g p ro g ra m s s u c h a s c h a ra c t e r e d u c a t i o n a n d p e e r m e n to r s , t h e b u rd e n o f d i s c i p l i n e c a n b e p a r t i a l l y s h i f t e d a w ay f ro m o u r a l re a d y s t ra i n e d a d m i n i s t ra to r s a n d b a c k o n to o u r s t u d e n t s . T h i s c re a t e s a c l i m a t e o f c a r i n g f o r o n e a n o t h e r a n d a c o l l e c t i ve re s p o n s i b i l i t y. T h e d i s c i p l i n a r y m e t h o d s u s e d i n t h e p a s t w i l l n o t n e c e s s a r i l y w o r k f o r to d ay ’s yo u t h . T h ey a re c h a n g i n g , a n d w e h ave a re s p o n s i b i l i t y to c h a n g e o u r m e t h o d s to m e e t t h e i r n e e d s .

What guidelines do you think should be adopted by GISD with regard to bullying? *

Biographical Information and Contacts:  (brief intro about you, your education, experience, community service as well as your campaign contact email/phone/website and/or Facebook page link)

M y b a c kg ro u n d c o n s i s t s o f 2 2 ye a r s o f e d u c a t i o n a l e x p e r i e n c e , 1 7 o f w h i c h w e re s p e n t a s a m i d d l e s c h o o l t e a c h e r w o r k i n g w i t h s t u d e n t s o f d i ve r s e b a c kg ro u n d s , i n c l u d i n g t h o s e w i t h s p e c i a l e d u c a t i o n n e e d s a n d E n g l i s h l a n g u a g e l e a r n e r s F i ve ye a r s a g o I t ra n s i t i o n e d to c o r p o ra t e e d u c a t i o n , a n d I w o r k f o r a p ro fe s s i o n a l s p o r t s o rg a n i z a t i o n i n t h e i r Ed u c a t i o n D e p a r t m e n t I a l s o s t i l l t e a c h o n l i n e p a r t t i m e a t t h e m a s t e r ’s l eve l h e l p i n g to g i ve b a c k to t h e t e a c h i n g p ro fe s s i o n by e d u c a t i n g fe l l o w t e a c h e r s J u s t a l i t t l e a b o u t m e I h o l d a B a c h e l o r ’s d e g re e i n E l e m e n t a r y Ed u c a t i o n ( 2 0 0 1 ) A l o n g w i t h t h a t I h ave e a r n e d a M a s t e r ’s d e g re e i n C u r r i c u l u m a n d I n s t r u c t i o n ( 2 0 0 4 ) , a n d a s e c o n d M a s t e r ’s d e g re e i n Ed u c a t i o n a l A d m i n i s t ra t i o n ( 2 0 1 2 ) . M y h u s b a n d a n d I h ave l i ve d i n G u n t e r f o r ove r t h re e ye a r s w i t h o u r t w o c h i l d re n , J o n a s a n d A m e l i a . M y h u s b a n d , Pa u l , i s a Ve t e r i n a r y Te c h n i c i a n a t a ve t e r i n a r y h o s p i t a l i n M c K i n n ey, a n d h e o w n s Pa b e n P re m i u m Pe t C a re , L LC b a s e d r i g h t h e re i n G u n t e r.

A l m o s t f o u r ye a r s a g o , w e d rove u p to G u n t e r l o o k i n g f o r a p l a c e to b u y l a n d to b u i l d o u r d re a m h o m e a n d b u i l d a l e g a c y f o r o u r c h i l d re n . G u n t e r i s o u r s to p p i n g p o i n t , o u r f o reve r h o m e . We c h o s e G u n t e r b e c a u s e i t fe l t l i ke h o m e . We k n e w i t w a s s o m e p l a c e s p e c i a l , a p l a c e to ra i s e o u r c h i l d re n t h a t w a s s a fe a n d a c a d e m i c a l l y e xc e l l e n t . We a b s o l u t e l y LOV E b e i n g G u n t e r T i g e r s !

A s a p a re n t o f t w o c h i l d re n i n o u r s c h o o l s , I h ave a ve r y ve s t e d i n t e re s t i n e n s u r i n g t h a t w e m a i n t a i n t h e e xc e l l e n c e t h a t n o w e x i s t s i n G u n t e r I S D M y b a c kg ro u n d i n e d u c a t i o n g i ve s m e a u n i q u e p e r s p e c t i ve , a n d I b r i n g a l o t o f e x p e r i e n c e a n d s k i l l s to t h e p o s i t i o n o f s c h o o l b o a rd t r u s t e e I w o u l d b e h o n o re d a n d g ra t e f u l to b e e l e c t e d to t h e G I S D s c h o o l b o a rd , a n d I h o p e t h a t I m ay e a r n yo u r vo t e

M y Fa c e b o o k c a m p a i g n p a g e c a n b e f o u n d a t : h t t p s : // w w w f a c e b o o k c o m / p ro f i l e p h p ?

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Forms

Jerry C Harris

Gunter ISD Candidate Questionnaire

Thank you for participating.  We will compile all the answers into one document to share on OurGunter social media as well as the Gunter Chamber of Commerce social media.

Please upload a photo of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply but your name and place you are running in.

Please upload a JPG of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply put your first and last name.

Name *

Office You Are Running For (place # or position) *

Phone # (if we have any questions while compiling list) *

Why are you running for GISD School Board? *

We have to Demand Excellence from our leadership. I believe that GISD's students, teachers, parents, and community deserve a Board that is proactive in all aspects of providing education and opportunities to Gunter students as well as being mindful, efficient, and deliberative with regard to the resources provided by the state and the Gunter community. I believe I would be a better steward of GISD's interests than the three incumbents.

What are your top three priority issues? *

1 . P rov i d i n g G u n t e r s t u d e n t s w i t h m o re o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r a d va n c e d l e a r n i n g a t a l l l eve l s o f t h e i r e d u c a t i o n a l e x p e r i e n c e . I w o u l d l i ke to p rov i d e m o re e n r i c h m e n t c l a s s e s , m o re g i f t e d a n d t a l e n t e d c l a s s e s , a n d m o re a d va n c e d p l a c e m e n t c l a s s e s . T h e s e o p p o r t u n i t i e s s h o u l d c o m p r i s e c l a s s e s i n t h e a r t s ( e . g . , m u s i c a n d p e r f o r m i n g a r t s ) , n a t u ra l s c i e n c e s ( e . g . , p h y s i c s ) , f o r m a l s c i e n c e s ( e . g . , m a t h e m a t i c s ) , a n d s o c i a l s c i e n c e s ( e . g . , e c o n o m i c s ) . T h e s e o p p o r t u n i t i e s s h o u l d b e o f fe re d i n s o m e f o r m f ro m p re - K t h ro u g h g ra d u a t i o n .

2 P rov i d i n g a l l G I S D s t a ke h o l d e r s w i t h d i s c i p l i n e d , p ro a c t i ve , a n d t h o u g h t f u l l e a d e r s h i p a t a l l l eve l s o f a d m i n i s t ra t i o n

3 P rov i d i n g a l l G I S D t e a c h e r s a n d s t a f f t h e s u p p o r t t h ey n e e d a n d d e s e r ve to g ro w p ro fe s s i o n a l l y a n d e n j oy t h e i r vo c a t i o n I a l s o w a n t to e n s u re t h a t G I S D d o e s eve r y t h i n g i t c a n to ke e p i t s g re a t e d u c a to r s i n t h e d i s t r i c t

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the GISD Board? *

Ye s . Po o r d e c i s i o n m a k i n g by, a n d c o n c e r n i n g , u p p e r a d m i n i s t ra t i o n . I h ave n o t b e e n h a p py w i t h m a n y d e c i s i o n s a n d a c t i o n s by t h e B o a rd a n d u p p e r a d m i n i s t ra t i o n ove r t h e l a s t fe w ye a r s . Fo r e x a m p l e , I q u e s t i o n m a n y p e r s o n n e l - re l a t e d d e c i s i o n s a n d a c t i o n s t h a t h ave b e e n m a d e a n d w o n d e r h o w a d e l i b e ra t i ve b o d y c o u l d m a ke s u c h d e c i s i o n s a n d / o r s u p p o r t s u c h a c t i o n s .

I g o t a g l i m p s e o f a n a n s w e r to m y q u e s t i o n a t t h e l a s t B o a rd m e e t i n g . T h e i s s u e p re s e n t e d w a s w h e t h e r t h e d i s t r i c t s h o u l d a p p l y f o r a " L o w - At t e n d a n c e D ay Wa i ve r " f o r t h e d ay a f t e r t h e S t a t e C h a m p i o n s h i p Fo o t b a l l G a m e T h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t i n f o r m e d t h e B o a rd t h a t i f t h e w a i ve r w a s a p p l i e d f o r a n d g ra n t e d , i t w a s u n c l e a r w h a t e f fe c t t h e w a i ve r w o u l d h ave o n t h e a t t e n d a n c e f i g u re f o r t h e a p p l i e d - f o r d ay T h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t to l d t h e B o a rd h e t a l ke d to t w o s t a t e s o u rc e s a n d o n e to l d h i m t h a t t h e w a i ve r w o u l d c a u s e t h e d ay to h ave t h e a t t e n d a n c e f i g u re f o r l a s t ye a r u s e d f o r t h a t d ay a n d t h e o t h e r s o u rc e to l d h i m t h a t t h e w a i ve r w o u l d c a u s e t h a t d ay n o t to b e c o u n t e d W h o k n o w s w h a t a t h i rd s o u rc e m i g h t h ave s a i d T h e B o a rd vo t e d o n t h e w a i ve r a n y w ay - - w i t h o u t k n o w i n g w h a t t h e a c t u a l e f fe c t o n t h e d i s t r i c t w o u l d b e

I l e f t t h e B o a rd m e e t i n g c u r i o u s a s to t h e a c t u a l e f fe c t o f a L o w - At t e n d a n c e D ay Wa i ve r, s o I d i d a q u i c k G o o g l e s e a rc h T h e Te x a s Ed u c a t i o n A g e n c y 's S t u d e n t At t e n d a n c e A c c o u n t i n g H a n d b o o k , S e c t i o n 3 8 1 4 e x p l a i n s t h e e x a c t e f fe c t o f a L o w - At t e n d a n c e D ay Wa i ve r - - t h e d ay i s e xc l u d e d f ro m A DA a n d F S P f u n d i n g c a l c u l a t i o n s A d d i t i o n a l l y, I l e a r n e d f ro m re a d i n g S e c t i o n 3 8 1 4 t h a t t h e re a s o n G I S D w o u l d b e s e e k i n g a w a i ve r f o r t h e d ay a f t e r t h e S t a t e C h a m p i o n s h i p Fo o t b a l l g a m e d o e s n o t m e e t t h e re q u i re d s t a n d a rd f o r s u c h a w a i ve r. S e c t i o n 3 . 8 . 1 . 4 p rov i d e s t h a t a d i s t r i c t "m ay a p p l y f o r a w a i ve r " i f t h e l o w a t t e n d a n c e w a s " b e c a u s e o f i s s u e s re l a t e d to i n c l e m e n t w e a t h e r, h e a l t h , o r s a fe t y." T h e B o a rd s h o u l d h ave a s ke d f o r, a n d b e e n p rov i d e d w i t h , t h e s t a n d a rd f o r a p p l y i n g f o r a L o w - At t e n d a n c e D ay Wa i ve r b e f o re vo t i n g o n s e e k i n g s u c h a w a i ve r.

I a m a l s o n o n p l u s s e d by t h e d e c i s i o n o n t h e l a n d p u rc h a s e f o r t h e n e w h i g h s c h o o l . A d i s c i p l i n e d , p ro a c t i ve , a n d t h o u g h t f u l B o a rd w o u l d h ave s e c u re d t h e re q u i s i t e l a n d s eve n to t e n ye a r s a g o . N o w i t s e e m s l i ke a d e c i s i o n w a s m a d e , a g a i n w i t h o u t a l l o f t h e i n f o r m a t i o n , to h a s t i l y p u rc h a s e a p a rc e l o f l a n d w h i c h , by m a n y a c c o u n t s , w o u l d n o t h ave b e e n t h e b e s t c h o i c e i f o n l y a c o u p l e o f o t h e r p a rc e l s h a d b e e n c o n s i d e re d .

I b e l i eve i t i s i m p e ra t i ve f o r G I S D t h a t t h e B o a rd i m p rove i t s d e l i b e ra t i ve a n d d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g p ro c e s s e s

What do you see as the opportunities and challenges in this district? *

I b e l i eve t h e key to a s u c c e s s f u l e d u c a t i o n a l s y s t e m i s p a re n t a l i n vo l ve m e n t G I S D h a s a g re a t o p p o r t u n i t y to u t i l i ze t h e a b u n d a n c e o f p a re n t s w a n t i n g to b e i n vo l ve d a n d c o n t r i b u t e to o u r c h i l d re n's s u c c e s s G I S D a l s o h a s t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to b e n e f i t f ro m t h e i n f l u x o f n e w c o m m u n i t y m e m b e r s t h a t w a n t to b e i n vo l ve d a n d b r i n g n e w a n d d i f fe re n t p e r s p e c t i ve s to G I S D i s s u e s G I S D 's b i g g e s t c h a l l e n g e i s re t a i n i n g o u r o u t s t a n d i n g t e a c h e r s a n d f i n d i n g s i m i l a r l y t a l e n t e d t e a c h e r s to j o i n t h e m

How do you feel about the current teacher/student ratio and what options does GISD have to change it if you feel that is necessary?

I t d e p e n d s o n t h e g ra d e l eve l a n d t h e c l a s s I b e l i eve eve r y t h i n g t h a t c a n p o s s i b l y b e d o n e to re d u c e t h e e l e m e n t a r y s t u d e n t / t e a c h e r ra t i o s s h o u l d b e d o n e - - p a r t i c u l a r l y i n c o re c l a s s e s I b e l i eve t h e re a re c re a t i ve w ay s to u t i l i ze p e r s o n n e l a n d s c h e d u l i n g to a f fe c t t h e s t u d e n t / t e a c h e r ra t i o s i n t h e g ra d e s / c l a s s e s w h e re l o w s t u d e n t / t e a c h e r ra t i o s a re k n o w n to f o s t e r b e t t e r i n s t r u c t i o n a n d l e a r n i n g e n v i ro n m e n t s

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members? *

I a m a f o r m e r e d u c a to r w h o t a u g h t , c o a c h e d , a n d s e r ve d a s a s s i s t a n t p r i n c i p a l a t a l a rg e u r b a n h i g h s c h o o l

A s a n a t to r n ey, I p rov i d e a d v i c e a n d c o u n s e l eve r y d ay to c l i e n t s to a s s i s t t h e m i n m a x i m i z i n g t h e p o t e n t i a l o f t h e i r c o m p a n i e s a n d / o r i n t e l l e c t u a l p ro p e r t y a s s e t s A l a rg e p a r t o f m y l e g a l p ra c t i c e i s h e l p i n g to g u i d e a n d g ro w s t a r t - u p c o m p a n i e s w i t h l i m i t e d re s o u rc e s i n to s u c c e s s f u l b u s i n e s s e s w h i c h p rov i d e e xc e l l e n t re t u r n s o n i n ve s t m e n t f o r t h e i r s t a ke h o l d e r s a n d s h a re h o l d e r s I b e l i eve a s s i s t i n g a n d g u i d i n g G I S D w i t h i t s g ro w t h a n d f i n a n c i a l i s s u e s w i l l b e ve r y s i m i l a r to w h a t I d o f o r m y s t a r t - u p c l i e n t s

I b e l i eve m y s k i l l s e t a n d e x p e r i e n c e w o u l d b e va l u a b l e a s s e t s to t h e B o a rd T h e re i s n o t a n o t h e r c a n d i d a t e w i t h m y s k i l l s e t a n d e x p e r i e n c e

What attributes and behaviors are essential for school board members? *

I n t e g r i t y, i n t e l l i g e n c e , a n d c o m p a s s i o n c o m b i n e d w i t h a w i l l i n g n e s s to l i s t e n , n o t j u s t h e a r. T h e f o r t i t u d e to m a ke to u g h d e c i s i o n s t h a t w o u l d b e i n t h e b e s t i n t e re s t o f t h e d i s t r i c t , eve n i f n o t p o p u l a r.

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden?

P r i o r i t i z a t i o n . T h e B o a rd m u s t p r i o r i t i ze t h e d i s t r i c t 's n e e d s a n d e n s u re t h a t t h o s e n e e d s a re m e t by a re a s o n a b l e t a x b u rd e n p l a c e d o n t h e c o m m u n i t y

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?

G I S D n e e d s to h ave a m o re ro b u s t a c a d e m i c p ro g ra m w i t h b e t t e r a n d d i ve r s e a c a d e m i c o f fe r i n g s G I S D g ra d u a t e s s h o u l d b e a b l e to : 1 ) a t t e n d a n y u n i ve r s i t y o f t h e i r c h o o s i n g ; 2 ) p u r s u e a n y vo c a t i o n a l c a re e r t h ey d e s i re ; a n d 3 ) b e n e f i t f ro m G I S D 's re n o w n e d T P W m e n t a l i t y

G I S D s h o u l d d eve l o p a p l a n to e n s u re t h a t i t i s p rov i d i n g i t s s t u d e n t s w i t h t h e re s o u rc e s , c o u r s e o f fe r i n g s , t e s t p re p a ra t i o n , a n d c o u n s e l i n g s e r v i c e s n e c e s s a r y to b e s u c c e s s f u l o n w h a t eve r c a re e r p a t h t h ey c h o o s e

G I S D s h o u l d a l s o d eve l o p a p l a n to m a r ke t i t s e xe m p l a r y a c a d e m i c a n d vo c a t i o n a l p ro g ra m s to n e i g h b o r i n g c o m m u n i t i e s a n d b eyo n d s o t h a t t h e t e r m " G u n t e r G ra d u a t e" m a ke s G u n t e r a l u m n i h i g h l y s o u g h t a f t e r a d d i t i o n s to p l a c e s o f h i g h e r l e a r n i n g a n d b u s i n e s s e s , i n d u s t r i e s , a n d o t h e r e m p l oye r s O ve r t h e l a s t f i ve ye a r s G I S D h a s d o n e a n a d m i ra b l e j o b s u p p o r t i n g i t s e x t ra - c u r r i c u l a r a c t i v i t i e s . G I S D 's e x t ra - c u r r i c u l a r a c t i v i t i e s a re w o r l d - c l a s s . T h e re a re ve r y fe w 3 A s c h o o l s t h a t a re n o t i n t i m i d a t e d a n d / o r re s i g n e d to l o s i n g w h e n a G u n t e r s t u d e n t , b a n d , c h o i r, t e a m , o r U I L e n t r y a p p e a r s o n i t s s c h e d u l e a s a n o p p o n e n t o r a s a c o m p e t i t i o n p a r t i c i p a n t .

In your view, what has the district done well over last five years? What has the district done poorly that you would change?

O ve r t h e l a s t f i ve ye a r s G I S D h a s d o n e a p o o r j o b p rov i d i n g d i s c i p l i n e d , p ro a c t i ve , a n d t h o u g h t f u l l e a d e r s h i p . T h e re h ave b e e n i n e x p l i c a b l e b u d g e t s h o r t f a l l s a n d / o r f u n d s m i s m a n a g e m e n t . T h e l a c k a d a i s i c a l , p ro c ra s t i n a t i n g a p p ro a c h to s e c u r i n g a f u t u re s i t e f o r t h e n e w h i g h s c h o o l a n d o t h e r f a c i l i t i e s h a s c a u s e d t h e a p p a re n t k n e e - j e r k , re a c t i ve a c t i o n s t a ke n c o n c e r n i n g t h e p a rc e l o f l a n d w h i c h h a s b e e n s e l e c t e d -b a s i c a l l y by d e f a u l t L a s t l y, t h e re h ave b e e n to o m a n y o c c a s i o n s o f l e a d e r s h i p m a k i n g u n i f o r m e d d e c i s i o n s , n o t u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e l a w, a n d / o r n o t u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y - - a l l o f w h i c h h ave h a r m e d a n d / o r e n d a n g e re d t h e e d u c a t i o n a l e n v i ro n m e n t f o r G I S D s t u d e n t s , t e a c h e r s , p a re n t s , a d m i n i s t ra to r s , a n d o t h e r s t a ke h o l d e r s

What guidelines do you think should be adopted by GISD with regard to bullying? *

G I S D s h o u l d f o r m a s t a n d i n g c o m m i t t e e c o m p o s e d o f a t l e a s t o n e t e a c h e r a n d o n e a d m i n i s t ra to r f ro m e a c h c a m p u s t h a t w i l l rev i e w a n d d e c i d e a l l b u l l y i n g a l l e g a t i o n s A s t h e b u l l y i n g s t a n d a rd i s s o m e w h a t s u b j e c t i ve , I b e l i eve a s e t c o m m i t t e e t h a t rev i e w s a l l a l l e g a t i o n s w o u l d h e l p p rov i d e a l l p a r t i e s w i t h a b e t t e r s t a n d a rd o f re s p o n s e a n d p re d i c t a b i l i t y t h a n rev i e w s by i n c o n s i s t e n t a n d d i f fe r i n g g ro u p s o f d e c i s i o n m a ke r s

Biographical Information and Contacts:  (brief intro about you, your education, experience, community service as well as your campaign contact email/phone/website and/or Facebook page link)

I a m a p a r t n e r i n t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l l a w f i r m B a r n e s & T h o r n b u rg , L L P

I a m a re g i s t e re d p a t e n t a t to r n ey a n d p ra c t i c e a l l f o r m s o f i n t e l l e c t u a l p ro p e r t y l a w

M y J u r i s D o c to r i s f ro m T h e Pe n n s y l va n i a S t a t e U n i ve r s i t y D i c k i n s o n S c h o o l o f L a w

I a m a n A g g i e ( C l a s s o f ' 9 1 ) w i t h d e g re e s i n B i o l o g y a n d P h y s i c s

I h ave a M a s t e r o f Ed u c a t i o n a l A d m i n i s t ra t i o n f ro m t h e U n i ve r s i t y o f N o r t h Te x a s

B e f o re b e c o m i n g a l a w ye r, I w a s a s c i e n c e t e a c h e r a n d c o a c h a t A r l i n g to n H e i g h t s H i g h S c h o o l i n Fo r t Wo r t h f o r f o u r ye a r s

M y f i f t h a n d l a s t ye a r i n e d u c a t i o n , I w a s a n a s s i s t a n t p r i n c i p a l a t A r l i n g to n H e i g h t s H i g h S c h o o l B e f o re m ov i n g to G u n t e r ( f o u r ye a r s a g o ) , I l i ve d i n S o u t h l a ke f o r e l eve n ye a r s . W h i l e i n S o u t h l a ke I s e r ve d o n t h e C a r ro l l I S D D i s t r i c t A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e . A s a m e m b e r o f t h e C a r ro l l I S D D i s t r i c t A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e , I a d v i s e d t h e C a r ro l l S c h o o l B o a rd a n d a d m i n i s t ra t i o n o n to p i c s s u c h a s c u r r i c u l u m , d i s c i p l i n e , a n d f a c i l i t i e s .

M y w i fe , L e s l i e , t e a c h e s m a t h a t C e l i n a H i g h S c h o o l a n d h a s b e e n a n e d u c a to r f o r e l eve n ye a r s .

We h ave t h re e s o n s i n G I S D - - B ra d y ( 1 1 t h ) , Pa r ke r ( 9 t h ) a n d L a n d o n ( 8 t h ) .

We h ave t w o o l d e r s o n s ( Trevo r a n d R ya n ) t h a t a re c o l l e g e g ra d u a t e s . T h ey a re b o t h p ro d u c t s o f S o u t h l a ke

C a r ro l l I S D.

M y m o t h e r w a s a n e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l t e a c h e r f o r t h i r t y - s eve n ye a r s .

M y f a t h e r w a s a h i g h s c h o o l m a t h a n d s c i e n c e t e a c h e r f o r t h i r t y - f i ve ye a r s .

I h ave b e e n i n t e re s t e d i n a n d f o l l o w i n g e d u c a t i o n a l i s s u e s m y w h o l e l i fe

I b e l i eve s o c i e t y 's d u t y to e d u c a t e t h e n e x t g e n e ra t i o n s i s p a ra m o u n t , a n d i t i s i m p e ra t i ve t h a t w e g e t i t r i g h t

M y c o n t a c t i n f o r m a t i o n i s - - j e r r y h a r r i s @ b t l a w c o m - - ( 8 1 7 ) 4 3 7 - 3 3 3 4

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Deirdre Diamond

Gunter ISD Candidate Questionnaire

Thank you for participating.  We will compile all the answers into one document to share on OurGunter social media as well as the Gunter Chamber of Commerce social media.

Please upload a photo of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply but your name and place you are running in.

Please upload a JPG of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply put your first and last name.

Name *

Office You Are Running For (place # or position) *

Phone # (if we have any questions while compiling list) *

Why are you running for GISD School Board? *

I am running to bridge the gap in communication between the board and the community. I am running to bring transparency, ease of access to school board meetings, and increase community participation without fear of retaliation. I am running to develop a culture that retains quality educators so our students can depend on consistency in a stable environment. I am running for the parents and educators that have tried to address issues or concerns with the district and administration that have been ignored or dismissed. I am running because this is our district and I want everyone to feel safe and invested in its success.

What are your top three priority issues? *

1 . To e n s u re a l l e d u c a to r s , p a re n t s , a n d t e a c h e r s fe e l e m o t i o n a l l y, p h y s i c a l l y, a n d p ro fe s s i o n a l l y s a fe eve r y t i m e t h ey s t e p o n o u r c a m p u s e s o r d ro p t h e i r c h i l d re n o f f a t s c h o o l .

2 . I n c re a s e t ra n s p a re n c y, p rov i d e o p p o r t u n i t i e s to p a r t i c i p a t e a n d v i e w m e e t i n g s i n re a l t i m e to i n c re a s e c o m m u n i t y a n d e d u c a to r p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n b o a rd m e e t i n g s . M y m a i n g o a l h e re i s to p ro m o t e t h e p u b l i c’s v i e w p o i n t s w h e n t h e b o a rd m a ke s d e c i s i o n s .

3 E n d t h e c u l t u re o f re t a l i a t i o n a n d i n t i m i d a t i o n , s o eve r yo n e i n vo l ve d i n t h i s c o m m u n i t y fe e l s h e a rd by t h e b o a rd a n d a d m i n i s t ra to r s T h e re a re s o l u t i o n s to m o s t p ro b l e m s

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the GISD Board? *

W h e n m y c h i l d re n a t t e n d e d t h e d i s t r i c t , I s p o ke to t h e b o a rd i n e a r l y 2 0 2 2 a s k i n g f o r t h e i r h e l p i n e n g a g i n g c i t y, c o u n t y, a n d TC E Q l e a d e r s h i p i n o rd e r to m i t i g a t e t h e p o l l u t i o n i m p a c t o f l o c a l a g g re g a t e c o m p a n i e s N o a c t i o n w a s t a ke n M y t h o u g h t s , i n f o r m a t i o n , s c i e n c e , a n d s o l u t i o n s w e re i g n o re d I n t h e s p r i n g o f 2 0 2 2 , I i n i t i a t e d a n a i r q u a l i t y m o n i to r i n g p ro g ra m a t t h e s c h o o l s , w h i c h w a s a t f i r s t w e l l re c e i ve d by t h e a d m i n i s t ra t i o n A f t e r a w h i l e , t h e re w e re s eve ra l u n n e c e s s a r y b a r r i e r s I h a d to ove rc o m e , l e a d i n g to a s i g n i f i c a n t d e l ay i n d e p l oy i n g t h e m o n i to r s T h i s d e l ay p reve n t e d p a re n t s f ro m m a k i n g i n f o r m e d d e c i s i o n s , i n c l u d i n g m y s e l f O n c e t h e m o n i to r s w e re u p a n d v i s i b l e , e m i s s i o n s w e re n o t e d to c o r re l a t e w i t h i n c re a s e d p o l l u t i o n l eve l s , a s w e l l a s m y c h i l d re n e x p e r i e n c i n g p h y s i c a l s y m p to m s , We m a d e t h e d e c i s i o n to h o m e s c h o o l t h e m a n d t h a t w a s t h e m o m e n t I m a d e t h e d e c i s i o n to r u n f o r s c h o o l b o a rd M y c h i l d re n l ove d t h e s c h o o l s , t h e t e a c h e r s , a n d t h e i r f r i e n d s We l ove d t h e c u l t u re t h e I S D p rov i d e d f o r o u r c h i l d re n , b u t w e u l t i m a t e l y c a n n o t c o m p ro m i s e t h e i r l o n g t e r m h e a l t h f o r s a fe t y c o n c e r n s t h a t h ave re a s o n a b l e s o l u t i o n s O u r f a m i l y w a n t s t h e m to b e a b l e to re t u r n u n d e r s a fe c o n d i t i o n s a n d s i n c e I h a d e x h a u s t e d re a c h i n g o u t to t h e b o a rd , I s a w a n e e d f o r m y a d vo a c y. Fu r t h e r m o re , d u r i n g m y t i m e t i m e a s a c o m m u n i t y a d vo c a t e , I h ave b e c o m e a s a fe s p a c e f o r t h o s e w i t h c o n c e r n s . I eve n t r i e d to a d d re s s a n o t h e r s a fe t y i s s u e re g a rd i n g m o l d a t t h e c a m p u s e s a n d t h e d i s t r i c t h a s i g n o re d f o l l o w u p c o m m u n i c a t i o n w i t h m e . O u r c h i l d re n c a n n o t l e a r n i f t h ey a re s i c k . We m u s t p ro t e c t t h e i r p h y s i c a l a n d e m o t i o n a l h e a l t h s o t h a t t h ey c a n re a c h t h e i r f u l l a c a d e m i c p o t e n t i a l . I t i s m y b e l i e f t h a t t h e re i s n o ro o m f o r a d i s t r i c t to i g n o re s a fe t y c o n c e r n s , p a r t i c u l a r l y w h e n t h e re a re re a s o n a b l e s o l u t i o n s . M y re a s o n s f o r r u n n i n g h ave e x p a n d e d , a s m y h e a r t f o r t h e n e e d s o f t h i s c o m m u n i t y h a s e x p a n d e d , b u t m y i n i t i a l d e c i s i o n to r u n s u r ro u n d e d e d u c a to r a n d s t u d e n t s a fe t y. I h ave g i ve n t h e d i s t r i c t a n o p p o r t u n i t y to t a ke a c t i o n , w i t h o u t re s u l t s . I t i s n o w t i m e f o r n e w l e a d e r s h i p to h ave a c h a n c e a t m a k i n g n e c e s s a r y c h a n g e s , a n d I h o p e t h i s c o m m u n i t y a g re e s by vo t i n g f o r t h re e n e w s c h o o l b o a rd c a n d i d a t e s

What do you see as the opportunities and challenges in this district? *

F i r s t , I b e l i eve t h a t t h e c u l t u re o f i g n o r i n g e d u c a to r a n d c o m m u n i t y c o n c e r n s w i l l b e t h e f i r s t b a r r i e r to ove rc o m e . T h e b o a rd n e e d s to a d j u s t t h e i r p e r s p e c t i ve t h a t c h a l l e n g e s a u to m a t i c a l l y t ra n s l a t e i n to c o m m u n i t y d i v i s i o n a n d l e a r n t h a t n o t eve r y i s s u e n e e d s to s p i ra l o u t o f c o n t ro l to t h e p o i n t t h a t t h e c o m m u n i t y i s f o rc e d to g a t h e r i n m a s s e s to g e t t h e i r a t t e n t i o n . D eve l o p i n g a n e w a n d p ro a c t i ve c u l t u re c h a l l e n g e s t h e c u r re n t b o a rd ’s h i s to r y o f o n l y a d d re s s i n g t h e i s s u e s t h a t a re i m p o r t a n t to t h e m . S e c o n d , I t h i n k g e t t i n g t h e e d u c a to r s t h a t d o re m a i n i n t h e d i s t r i c t to t r u s t t h a t t h e b o a rd i s g e n u i n e l y h e re to s e r ve t h e i r s t u d e n t a n d p ro fe s s i o n a l g o a l s , w i l l b e a c h a l l e n g e a f t e r ye a r s o f n o t l i s t e n i n g to t h e i r c o n c e r n s I a m o n l y o n e p e r s o n , a n d I w i l l n e e d o t h e r l i ke m i n d e d b o a rd m e m b e r s to q u i c k l y b r i n g a b o u t n e c e s s a r y c u l t u re s h i f t s , b u t I 1 0 0 % b e l i eve t h a t a n i n s t i t u t e d e d i c a t e d to e d u c a t i o n s h o u l d b e o n e t h a t i s w e l c o m i n g to p ro g re s s a n d d o e s n o t s h y a w ay f ro m p ro b l e m s o l v i n g o r c o n f l i c t re s o l u t i o n O u r e d u c a to r s h ave to t r u s t u s e n o u g h to s h a re t h e i r e x p e r i e n c e s i f w e a re eve r g o i n g to a d d re s s ro o t c a u s e o f c h a l l e n g e s

T h i rd , I t h i n k d eve l o p i n g a c a d e m i c , a t h l e t i c , a n d e x t ra c u r r i c u l a r p r i o r i t i e s t h a t m a t c h o u r b u d g e t w i l l b e a b i g c h a l l e n g e W h e n eve r t h i s c o m m u n i t y a s k s f o r a re s o u rc e , w e a re o f t e n to l d t h a t d u e to l a c k o f m o n ey w e c a n’ t m e e t c e r t a i n e x p e c t a t i o n s At t i m e s t h i s m ay b e t r u e , b u t i t i s n’ t a l w ay s i f p r i o r i t i e s a re c l e a r l y d e f i n e d We s h o u l d i n ve s t i n o u r p r i o r i t i e s a n d l o o k f o r o p p o r t u n i t i e s to re d i s t r i b u t e re s o u rc e s to s u p p o r t o u r g o a l s W h e re t h e re i s a w i l l to a c h i eve a g o a l , t h e re w i l l a l w ay s b e a w ay ! We m i g h t h ave to g e t c re a t i ve a n d d i ve d e e p i n to t h e b u d g e t to i d e n t i f y w a s t e

How do you feel about the current teacher/student ratio and what options does GISD have to change it if you feel that is necessary?

O bv i o u s l y, s m a l l e r c l a s s ro o m s o f fe r m o re i n d i v i d u a l i ze d a t t e n t i o n . C h i l d re n t h r i ve o n p e r s o n a l i ze d a t t e n t i o n , a n d i n s m a l l e r c l a s s ro o m s i ze s , e d u c a to r s h ave m o re f re e d o m to u t i l i ze t h e i r p ro fe s s i o n a l s k i l l s . I n m y p rev i o u s re s p o n s e , I i d e n t i f i e d t h e n e e d f o r a c a d e m i c , a t h l e t i c , a n d e x t ra c u r r i c u l a r p r i o r i t i e s . I a l s o a d d re s s e d t h e c u l t u re o f n e e d i n g to k n o w ro o t c a u s e s o f c h a l l e n g e s o u r d i s t r i c t f a c e s . I f w e c a n b a l a n c e o u r b u d g e t a n d i d e n t i f y o u r p r i o r i t i e s , w e m ay b e a b l e to o f fe r b e t t e r c l a s s ro o m s i ze s t h a t a l l o w f o r a m o re p e r s o n a l i ze d e d u c a t i o n a l e x p e r i e n c e We c o u l d a l s o p o t e n t i a l re l i eve t h e b u rd e n o n t h o s e e d u c a to r s t h a t re m a i n b e h i n d d u r i n g o f f c a m p u s eve n t s by a n a l y z i n g w h o i s t e a c h i n g w h a t c o u r s e a n d i f t h e i r a t h l e t i c o r e x t ra c u r r i c u l a r d u t i e s i n t e r fe re w i t h o u r a c a d e m i c p r i o r i t i e s

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members? *

I t h i n k t h e m a i n t h i n g t h a t s e p a ra t e s m e f ro m t h e o t h e r c a n d i d a t e s i s t h a t I a m a p rove n c o m m u n i t y a d vo a c t e t h a t i s n o t a f ra i d to d o t h e w o r k o r a s k t h e h a rd q u e s t i o n s . I d o n o t s e e c h a l l e n g e s i n l i fe a s a n e g a t i ve a n d I w i l l r i s e to t h e o c c a s i o n w i t h s o l u t i o n s t h a t d o n o t n e g l e c t w h o l e p o p u l a t i o n s . U n f o r t u n a t e l y, I c a n n o t s ay t h a t I a m t h e o n l y m o t h e r r u n n i n g f o r s c h o o l b o a rd t h a t h a s b e e n i g n o re d by t h e d i s t r i c t .

H o w eve r, t h o s e o f u s t h a t a re r u n n i n g to b e t h e c h a n g e t h a t o u r c h i l d re n n e e d to t h r i ve , re p re s e n t a c l e a r d i f fe re n c e i n u s a n d t h e i n c u m b e n t s . We a re m o t h e r s s t e p p i n g u p b e c a u s e t h ey d i d n o t f o r t h e s a ke o f t h e c h i l d re n

What attributes and behaviors are essential for school board members? *

I b e l i eve m o s t i m p o r t a n t l y a s c h o o l b o a rd m e m b e r m u s t b e h u m b l e T h ey s h o u l d re m e m b e r t h a t t h e i r ro l e i s to s e r ve t h e i r c o m m u n i t y a n d m a i n t a i n a d i s t r i c t t h a t i s w e l c o m i n g a n d s u p p o r t i ve S c h o o l b o a rd s m e m b e r s m u s t h ave a w i l l i n g n e s s to l i s t e n a n d re m a i n m o t i va t e d to l e a r n a n d a d a p t to t h e n e e d s o f t h e c o m m u n i t y a s o u r d i s t r i c t g ro w s I a l s o b e l i eve t h ey n e e d to b e l e a d e r s a n d fe e l c o n f i d e n t to s t a n d t h e i r g ro u n d o n w h a t i s r i g h t T h ey s h o u l d m e a n w h a t t h ey s ay a n d b e s o m e o n e t h e c o m m u n i t y c a n t r u s t to d o t h e r i g h t t h i n g i n e xe c u t i ve s e s s i o n

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden?

To b e e l e c t e d a s a s c h o o l b o a rd m e m b e r, i s a p r i v i l e g e t h a t I a m s u re c o m e s w i t h m a n y q u e s t i o n s o f h o w t a x p aye r re s o u rc e s a re b e i n g u s e d . A s c h o o l b o a rd m e m b e r b a l a n c e s t h e f i n a n c i a l b u rd e n by b e i n g re s p e c t f u l o f t h e re s o u rc e s t h a t c o m e i n to t h e d i s t r i c t , by p r i o r i t i z i n g t h e a c a d e m i c , a t h l e t i c , a n d e x t ra c u r r i c u l a r n e e d s o f t h e c u r re n t s t u d e n t b o d y p o p u l a t i o n , a n d by a n s w e r i n g f i n a n c i a l a n d b u d g e t q u e s t i o n s t ra n s p a re n t l y. E a c h s c h o o l b o a rd m e m b e r w a s e l e c t e d to re p re s e n t t h e b e s t i n t e re s t o f t h e s t u d e n t s a n d e d u c a to r s , s o t h ey m u s t w i l l i n g l y b e t ra n s p a re n t . I f t h e d i s t r i c t i s t ra n s p a re n t o f h o w re s o u rc e s a re b e i n g u s e d a n d t h e f i n a n c i a l n e e d s t h a t e x i s t s , t h e t a x p aye r c a n fe e l m o re i n f o r m e d a n d s e c u re t h a t t h e i r re s o u rc e s a re g o i n g to a d va n c e t h e d i s t r i c t .

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?

I h ave a d d re s s e d s eve ra l a re a s o f i m p rove m e n t i n m y a b ove re s p o n s e s , b u t t h e c o m m u n i t y h a s b e e n t ra n s p a re n t i n t h e f a c t t h a t t h e re a re m a n y q u a l i t y e d u c a to r s l e av i n g t h e d i s t r i c t , t h a t a c a d e m i c p ro g ra m s n e e d m o re q u a l i f i e d a n d w e l l t ra i n e d p e r s o n n e l T h ey h ave e x p re s s e d t h a t d u r i n g o f f c a m p u s eve n t s , t h e b u rd e n s h o u l d n o t b e re d i s t r i b u t e d to o t h e r e d u c a to r s w i t h t h e f re q u e n c y i t ’s o c c u r r i n g Pa re n t s h ave a l s o w a n t e d o u r d i s t r i c t to a d d re s s a l a c k o f e l e c t i ve s a n d A P p ro g ra m s We a re u l t i m a t e l y h e re to s e r ve t h e c o m m u n i t y a n d f o r r i g h t n o w t h e s e a re t h e c o n c e r n s w e a re h e a r i n g M y s u g g e s t i o n i s to c h a n g e t h e c u l t u re s o t h a t w e ke e p o u r q u a l i t y e d u c a to r s t h a t re m a i n , u l t i m a t e l y o f fe r i n g i n c re a s e d s t a b i l i t y to o u r s t u d e n t s I a l s o t h i n k w e m u s t o b j e c t i ve l y l o o k a t t h e d u t i e s o f o u r e d u c a to r s , a n d t h e f re q u e n c y t h ey a re e x p e c t e d to l e ave c a m p u s d u r i n g t h e a c a d e m i c d ay, s o w e c a n p l a n a p p ro p r i a t e l y to s u p p o r t t h e i r a c a d e m i c c l a s s e s , w h i l e n o t b u rd e n e d o t h e r s We m u s t o b j e c t i ve l y l o o k f o r re s o u rc e s i n o u r b u d g e t to o f fe r m o re a c a d e m i c p ro g ra m s , a s w e l l a s b e i n g i n t e n t i o n a l i n h i r i n g p e r s o n n e l t h a t m e e t t h e c u r re n t n e e d s o f o u r s t u d e n t b o d y p o p u l a t i o n E xc u s e s c a n n o t b e a c c e p t e d w h e n w e a re p rov i d i n g t h i s d i s t r i c t a s e r v i c e t h a t i m p a c t s h o w o u r c h i l d re n w i l l p e r f o r m i n t h e re a l w o r l d

In your view, what has the district done well over last five years? What has the district done poorly that you would change?

I fe e l t h a t t h e d i s t r i c t h a s d o n e a g re a t j o b a t h i r i n g q u a l i t y e d u c a to r s t h a t g e n u i n e l y c a re a b o u t t h e s t u d e n t b o d y p o p u l a t i o n . I l ove d t h e t u to r i n g i n t h e m o r n i n g l a s t ye a r a t t h e e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l a n d t h e i r f o c u s o n t h e w h o l e c h i l d l a s t ye a r w i t h t w o re c e s s t i m e s t h a t a l l o w e d t h e s t u d e n t s to d e c o m p re s s . T h e c a fe t e r i a s t r i ve s to o f fe r b a l a n c e d m e a l s a n d I w a s i m p re s s e d w i t h t h e p ro g ra m i n i t i a t e d to s e n d h o m e f o o d to f a m i l i e s i n n e e d H o w eve r, I w o u l d n’ t b e r u n n i n g f o r t h i s p o s i t i o n i f I d i d n o t fe e l t h a t t h e re i s a n e e d f o r c h a n g e I h ave a d d re s s e d m a n y c o n c e r n s i n m y re s p o n s e s a b ove , b u t I w i l l re i t e ra t e t h a t I t h i n k t h e re i s a c u l t u re o f i n t i m i d a t i o n a n d l a c k o f t ra n s p a re n c y w i t h i n t h e d i s t r i c t a n d b o a rd t h a t n e e d s to e n d C o m m u n i t y p a r t i c i p a t i o n n e e d s to b e e n c o u ra g e a n d n eve r d i s m i s s e d T h e n u m b e r o f t e a c h e r s l e av i n g t h e d i s t r i c t i s re f l e c t i ve o f a c u l t u re t h a t n e e d s to b e a c k n o w l e d g e d a n d a d d re s s e d T h e re a l s o n e e d s to b e m o re f o c u s o n a c a d e m i c s a n d a t h o ro u g h eva l u a t i o n o f w h e t h e r t h e d i s t r i c t i s m e e t i n g t h e n e e d s o f t h e w h o l e s t u d e n t a n d e d u c a to r We m u s t m a ke s u re eve r yo n e w e s e r ve i s s a fe p h y s i c a l l y, m e n t a l l y, a n d e m o t i o n a l l y T h i s p o s i t i o n a s s c h o o l b o a rd m e m b e r i s a p r i v i l e g e to s e r ve t h e c o m m u n i t y, n o t o n e to s u p p o r t o u r o w n i n t e re s t s

What guidelines do you think should be adopted by GISD with regard to bullying? *

T h e f i r s t s t e p w o u l d b e to a c k n o w l e d g e t h a t b u l l y i n g d o e s e x i s t a n d d eve l o p a re p o r t i n g s y s t e m . E a c h c a s e m u s t b e a d d re s s e d w i t h s e n s i t i v i t y a n d t h e ro o t c a u s e n e e d s to b e i d e n t i f i e d . I f t h e v i c t i m ( s t u d e n t o r e d u c a to r ) n e e d s s u p p o r t o r g u i d a n c e , w e m u s t d eve l o p a s y s t e m t h a t e f fe c t i ve l y m e e t s t h o s e n e e d s . I f a s t u d e n t o r t e a c h e r e n g a g e s i n b e h av i o r t h a t c a n b e c o n s i d e re d b u l l y i n g , w e m u s t n o t i m m e d i a t e l y c re a t e a h o s t i l e e n v i ro n m e n t s o t h a t w e e n c o u ra g e a s a fe p l a c e t h a t a l l o w s f o r t h e e xc h a n g e o f i n f o r m a t i o n . T h i s c a n i d e n t i f y t h e ro o t c a u s e . I f b u l l y i n g c o n t i n u e s a f t e r i n i t i a l c o u n c i l i n g , i t i s m y s u g g e s t i o n t h a t w e d eve l o p a g ra d u a t i n g d i s c i p l i n a r y s y s t e m C o n t i n u e d b u l l y i n g s h o u l d n o t b e to l e ra t e d i f eve r y a t t e m p t to re a c h a re s o l u t i o n o r a d d re s s t h e ro o t c a u s e i s m e t by t h e d i s t r i c t O u r c h i l d re n a re l i v i n g i n a d i f fe re n t t i m e , w h e re i n f o r m a t i o n c a n b e s h a re d a n d e x p re s s e d w i t h i n m o m e n t s , a n d n o t n e c e s s a r i l y f a c e to f a c e T h e e a s e a t w h i c h b u l l y i n g c a n o c c u r i s m u c h m o re p reva l e n t We h ave to a d a p t a n d b e m o re a g g re s s i ve i n h e l p i n g t h e m d eve l o p c o n f l i c t re s o l u t i o n s k i l l s i n o rd e r to p reve n t h a r m to b o t h p a r t i e s P reve n t i o n w i l l b e key

Biographical Information and Contacts:  (brief intro about you, your education, experience, community service as well as your campaign contact email/phone/website and/or Facebook page link)

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M y n a m e i s D e i rd re D i a m o n d . I a m a w i fe , m o t h e r o f s i x , a n d a R e g i s t e re d R e s p i ra to r y T h e ra p i s t . I g ra d u a t e d S u m m a C u m L a u d e f ro m M i d w e s t e r n S t a t e U n i ve r s i t y w i t h a B a c h e l o r s o f S c i e n c e i n R e s p i ra to r y C a re . I h ave b e e n a n a d vo c a t e f o r G u n t e r C l e a n A i r f o r ove r t h re e ye a r s a n d w o r k a t t h e s t a t e w i d e l eve l w i t h Te x a n s f o r R e s p o n s i b l e A g g re g a t e M i n i n g . M y p h o n e n u m b e r i

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Natalie Barnard

Gunter ISD Candidate Questionnaire

Thank you for participating.  We will compile all the answers into one document to share on OurGunter social media as well as the Gunter Chamber of Commerce social media.

Please upload a photo of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply but your name and place you are running in.

Please upload a JPG of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply put your first and last name.

Name *

Office You Are Running For (place # or position) *

Phone # (if we have any questions while compiling list) *

Why are you running for GISD School Board? *

I am running for GISD school board because I want to ensure the success of our district for years to come. My children are in 4th and 1st grade; therefore, I have a vested interest in the future of GISD. I believe I can utilize my experience in education to make more informed decisions that will focus on our teachers and students.

What are your top three priority issues? *

1 . Te a c h e r re t e n t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d t h a t t h i s i s a n i s s u e n a t i o n w i d e ; h o w eve r, w e n e e d to d o w h a t w e c a n w i t h i n o u r o w n “ h o u s e” to re t a i n o u r a m a z i n g t e a c h e r s . We n e e d to l i s t e n to t h e m a n d re s p e c t t h e m . O u r t e a c h e r s s p e n d a l l d ay t e a c h i n g a n d l ov i n g o n o u r c h i l d re n b e c a u s e t h a t ’s t h e i r c a l l i n g . I t ’s t h e i r p a s s i o n a n d t h ey m a ke a d i f fe re n c e i n eve r y c h i l d ’s l i fe . We o bv i o u s l y c a n n o t p ay a s w e l l a s l a rg e r d i s t r i c t s to o u r s o u t h a n d n o r t h , s o w e n e e d to m a ke s u re t h a t w e a re p rov i d i n g o u r t e a c h e r s w i t h a n e n v i ro n m e n t a n d c u l t u re t h a t m a ke s t h e m WA NT to s t ay. S h o w i n g o u r a p p re c i a t i o n f o r t h e m a n d m a k i n g s u re t h ey k n o w h o w va l u e d t h ey a re w i l l g o a l o n g w ay

2 C a re e r a n d Te c h n i c a l Ed u c a t i o n ( CT E ) S u c c e s s i s m e a s u re d i n m a n y d i f fe re n t w ay s We n e e d to s u p p o r t eve r y s t u d e n t i n a w ay t h a t t h ey c a n b e s u c c e s s f u l C o l l e g e i s n o t m e a n t f o r eve r y s t u d e n t We n e e d to m a ke s u re t h a t w e a re p rov i d i n g A L L s t u d e n t s a p o s t s e c o n d a r y p a t h t h a t m e e t s t h e i r n e e d s a n d s e t s t h e m o n a t ra j e c to r y to b e c o m e s u c c e s s f u l i n l i fe b eyo n d G I S D A re t h e i r w ay s f o r u s to e x p a n d o u r c u r re n t CT E o f fe r i n g s ? W h a t a b o u t s t u d e n t o rg a n i z a t i o n s s u c h a s t h e Te x a s A s s o c i a t i o n o f Fu t u re Ed u c a to r s ( TA F E ) ? T h i s i s a n e xc e l l e n t o rg a n i z a t i o n f o r o u r s t u d e n t s w h o a re c o n s i d e r i n g b e c o m i n g t e a c h e r s t h e m s e l ve s We d o n o t o f fe r a n y c o u r s e s i n c u l i n a r y a r t s a n d m ay b e t h a t ’s s o m e t h i n g w e n e e d to c o n s i d e r a d d i n g C u l i n a r y p rov i d e s a g re a t a l t e r n a t i ve f o r s t u d e n t s w h o d o n’ t f i t i n to t h e s e o t h e r o p t i o n s o r e x t ra c u r r i c u l a r a c t i v i t i e s , b e c a u s e t h e re a re a l s o o p p o r t u n i t i e s t h ro u g h t h a t p ro g ra m to c o m p e t e i n eve n t s t h ro u g h P ro S t a r t A s o u r e n ro l l m e n t g ro w s , I t h i n k w e n e e d to s t a r t a d d i n g m o re to b e s t m e e t t h e n e e d s o f o u r s t u d e n t s a n d a l s o e n s u re t h ey c o n t i n u e to m e e t t h e re q u i re m e n t s o f H o u s e B i l l 5 N o t o n l y i s t h i s a p r i o r i t y a t t h e h i g h s c h o o l , b u t a l s o a t t h e m i d d l e s c h o o l l eve l I n s t e a d o f d e c re a s i n g e l e c t i ve s , w e re a l l y n e e d to b e l o o k i n g a t h o w a n d w h e re w e c a n i n c re a s e t h o s e . 3 . S c h o o l s a fe t y. T h e re a l i t y i s t h a t w e n o w l i ve i n a w o r l d w h e re s c h o o l s h o o t i n g s a re i n c re a s i n g l y m o re c o m m o n a n d c a n a n d d o h a p p e n a n y w h e re . We c a n n o l o n g e r t a ke f o r g ra n t e d o u r k i d s ’ s a fe t y w h e n w e d ro p t h e m o f f . O u r t e a c h e r s c a n n o l o n g e r t a ke f o r g ra n t e d t h e i r o w n s a fe t y a t w o r k . O u r b u i l d i n g s n e e d to b e u p d a t e d to m a ke s u re t h a t w e a re p rov i d i n g o u r s t u d e n t s a n d s c h o o l s t a f f w i t h t h e h i g h e s t l eve l o f s e c u r i t y eve r y d ay. I n eve r t h o u g h t w e w o u l d b e a t a p o i n t w h e re a c t i ve s h o o t e r d r i l l s a re a s ro u t i n e a s f i re d r i l l s . T h a t i s a f r i g h t e n i n g re a l i z a t i o n . We n e e d to b e l o o k i n g a t i n s t a l l i n g v i d e o i n t e rc o m s y s t e m s o u t s i d e o f o u r f ro n t d o o r s , a n t i - i n t r u d e r f i l m o n d o o r s a n d w i n d o w s to m a ke i t s o m e w h a t m o re d i f f i c u l t f o r s o m e o n e to s h o o t t h ro u g h o u r d o o r s a n d w i n d o w s a n d a d d i n g s c h o o l re s o u rc e o f f i c e r s to o u r c a m p u s e s .

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the GISD Board? *

I d o n o t h ave a h i d d e n a g e n d a f o r r u n n i n g . T h e re i s n o t o n e p a r t i c u l a r i s s u e t h a t m o t i va t e d m e to j o i n t h i s g ro u p o f c a n d i d a t e s ; h o w eve r, I d o b e l i eve i t w o u l d b e e x t re m e l y b e n e f i c i a l to h ave a t l e a s t o n e p e r s o n o n t h e s c h o o l b o a rd t h a t h a s b e e n a n e d u c a to r

What do you see as the opportunities and challenges in this district? *

I s e e o u r g ro w t h a s b o t h a n o p p o r t u n i t y a n d a c h a l l e n g e . I f w e n av i g a t e t h a t p ro p e r l y, w e h ave a c h a n c e to c o n t i n u e a s a s t ro n g , c o n n e c t e d c o m m u n i t y. I f w e s t a r t l o o k i n g s eve ra l ye a r s a h e a d a n d b e i n g p ro a c t i ve , t h e n w e c a n re a l l y c a p i t a l i ze o n t h e g ro w t h a n d b r i n g b a c k t h e e xe m p l a r y s t a t u s t h a t G I S D i s k n o w n f o r. I t ’s g o i n g to b e c h a l l e n g i n g a s w e l l , b e c a u s e yo u ’ re t a l k i n g a b o u t m i x i n g p e o p l e t h a t h ave b e e n h e re f o r m a n y, m a n y ye a r s w i t h n e w c o m e r s t h a t p o s s i b l y h ave d i f fe re n t e x p e c t a t i o n s . We a l l s h o u l d h ave t h e s a m e g o a l i n m i n d , w h i c h i s to p rov i d e a h i g h - q u a l i t y e d u c a t i o n f o r o u r s t u d e n t s a n d s u p p o r t o u r t e a c h e r s .

How do you feel about the current teacher/student ratio and what options does GISD have to change it if you feel that is necessary?

T h i s i s a g re a t q u e s t i o n ! M y s o n i s i n 1 s t g ra d e a n d h a s l e s s t h a n 2 0 s t u d e n t s i n h i s c l a s s , w h i c h i s i d e a l B u t , m y d a u g h t e r i n 4 t h g ra d e h a s ove r 2 0 T h a t i s n o t i d e a l Fo r o u r t e a c h e r s to n o t b e s p re a d to o t h i n , a l o w e r t e a c h e r to s t u d e n t ra t i o i s n e e d e d S t u d e n t s c o m e i n w i t h d i f fe re n t l e a r n i n g s t y l e s a n d d i f fe re n t a c a d e m i c n e e d s I f a t e a c h e r h a s 2 0 + s t u d e n t s i n a c l a s s , i t i s e x t re m e l y d i f f i c u l t to m e e t t h e n e e d s o f e a c h l e a r n e r We n e e d to b e l o o k i n g a h e a d a t e n ro l l m e n t n u m b e r s , s o t h a t w e a re n’ t b e i n g re a c t i ve a n d h av i n g to s u d d e n l y a d d s e c t i o n s to a c l a s s d u r i n g t h e s u m m e r A fe w o p t i o n s to c h a n g e i t a re to a l l o c a t e m o n ey f ro m o u r b u d g e t f o r a d d i t i o n a l t e a c h e r s a n d p o s s i b l y l o o k a t a d d i n g i n t e r ve n t i o n i s t s t h a t c a n s u p p o r t o u r t e a c h e r s

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members? *

I s p e n t 1 7 ye a r s i n p u b l i c e d u c a t i o n i n Te x a s b e f o re I m ove d to t h e p r i va t e s e c to r to w o r k f o r t h e w o r l d ’s l a rg e s t l e a r n i n g c o m p a n y. I a l s o h o l d a m a s t e r ’s d e g re e i n e d u c a t i o n . I h ave w o r ke d i n 2 ve r y l a rg e u r b a n d i s t r i c t s a n d w o r ke d f o r o u r l o c a l s p e c i a l e d u c a t i o n c o o p e ra t i ve . M y b a c kg ro u n d i n e d u c a t i o n g i ve s m e a u n i q u e s k i l l s e t a n d k n o w l e d g e t h a t d i f fe re n t i a t e s m e f ro m o t h e r c a n d i d a t e s a n d c u r re n t b o a rd m e m b e r s . I w a s ra i s e d a n d a t t e n d e d s c h o o l s i n a ve r y s m a l l , r u ra l d i s t r i c t a n d k n o w t h e b e n e f i t s a n d c h a l l e n g e s t h a t c o m e w i t h t h a t .

What attributes and behaviors are essential for school board members? *

T h e a b i l i t y to b u i l d re l a t i o n s h i p s i s o n e o f t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t a t t r i b u t e s . I t ’s i m p o r t a n t to b e o u t i n t h e c o m m u n i t y w o r k i n g to w a rd s t h a t . I t ’s a b o u t h u m a n c o n n e c t i o n . Pe o p l e n e e d to k n o w t h a t yo u a re l i s t e n i n g to t h e m a s w e l l . Eve r yo n e w a n t s to b e h e a rd a n d eve r yo n e i n o u r c o m m u n i t y s h o u l d fe e l l i ke t h ey h ave i n p u t o n t h e e d u c a t i o n t h e i r c h i l d i s re c e i v i n g . I n t h i s ro l e , yo u a re a n s w e r i n g to o u r s t u d e n t s , t e a c h e r s , a n d c o m m u n i t y. B e i n g a b l e to m a i n t a i n c o n f i d e n t i a l i t y a n d e a r n i n g t h e t r u s t o f o t h e r s i s a l s o e x t re m e l y i m p o r t a n t f o r b o a rd m e m b e r s . T h e re a re s e n s i t i ve to p i c s t h a t w i l l b e d i s c u s s e d , a n d t h o s e c o n ve r s a t i o n s re q u i re t h e u t m o s t c o n f i d e n t i a l i t y Eve r yo n e t h a t w e s e r ve s h o u l d b e a b l e to t r u s t t h e i r s c h o o l b o a rd m e m b e r s

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden?

We a l l w a n t t a x p aye r b u rd e n to b e a s l o w a s p o s s i b l e We’ ve g o t to u s e a l e n s o f p o s i t i ve s t u d e n t a c a d e m i c o u t c o m e s Eve r y d e c i s i o n w e m a ke m u s t b e f o c u s e d o n t h o s e s t u d e n t o u t c o m e s T h e b e s t w ay to a f fe c t t h o s e p o s i t i ve l y i s to t a ke c a re o f o u r t e a c h e r s a n d s t a f f , e s p e c i a l l y o u r t e a c h e r s Yo u f i n d t h e b a l a n c e t h ro u g h f o c u s Yo u h ave to f o c u s yo u r re s o u rc e s ( d o l l a r s , t i m e , e n e rg y, s t a f f ) o n w h a t ’s g o i n g to m ove t h e n e e d l e w i t h s t u d e n t o u t c o m e s , e s p e c i a l l y i f w e a re g o i n g to h ave l e s s t a x reve n u e I d i s c u s s e d s o m e o f t h i s a s p r i o r i t y i s s u e n u m b e r 2 . I n a d d i t i o n to t h a t , w e n e e d to b e c h o o s i n g h i g h - q u a l i t y c u r r i c u l u m a c ro s s c o n t e n t a re a s t h a t d e l i ve r s p o w e r f u l re s u l t s f o r a l l s t u d e n t s . A re w e u s i n g a f ra m e w o r k to h e l p g u i d e o u r c u r r i c u l u m , a s s e s s m e n t , a n d i n s t r u c t i o n ? H o w a re w e m e a s u r i n g s t u d e n t p ro g re s s a n d s u c c e s s ? I t n e e d s to c o m e f ro m s eve ra l s o u rc e s o f d a t a . I b e l i eve t a k i n g a c l o s e r l o o k a t t h e n e e d s o f o u r E n g l i s h L a n g u a g e L e a r n e r s a n d s t u d e n t s i n s p e c i a l e d u c a t i o n w o u l d b e b e n e f i c i a l H o w a re w e s e r v i n g t h e s e s t u d e n t s a n d w h a t c a n w e d o to i m p rove o u t c o m e s f o r t h e m ? I w o u l d re c o m m e n d l o o k i n g a t e a c h c a m p u s i n d i v i d u a l l y a n d h e a r i n g f ro m o u r t e a c h e r s d i re c t l y a b o u t w h e re w e c a n i m p rove i n o u r a c a d e m i c p ro g ra m s

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?

In your view, what has the district done well over last five years? What has the district done poorly that you would change?

I t h i n k t h e p h a r m a c y t e c h s t u d e n t c e r t i f i c a t i o n w a s a n a w e s o m e a d d i t i o n We n e e d m o re o f fe r i n g s l i ke t h a t ! I b e l i eve o u r a t h l e t i c s p ro g ra m h a s d o n e e x t re m e l y w e l l a n d c o n t i n u e s to g ro w A Fa m i l y a n d C o m m u n i t y S e r v i c e s C o o rd i n a to r w a s a n e xc e l l e n t a d d i t i o n to o u r a d m i n t e a m T h e d i s t r i c t h a s h i re d s eve ra l e xc e l l e n t e d u c a to r s a n d b e e n a b l e to re t a i n m a n y o f t h e m We n e e d to c o n t i n u e t h a t s u c c e s s I w o u l d l i ke to s e e t h e d i s t r i c t b e m o re t ra n s p a re n t w i t h t h e c o m m u n i t y a n d e n c o u ra g e i n vo l ve m e n t f ro m p a re n t s I w a n t to s e e g ro w t h i n o u r CT E a n d e l e c t i ve o p t i o n s , a s m e n t i o n e d a b ove

What guidelines do you think should be adopted by GISD with regard to bullying? *

I re c o m m e n d a n e s c a l a t e d d i s c i p l i n e p o l i c y re g a rd i n g b u l l y i n g B u l l y i n g s h o u l d n o t b e to l e ra t e d ; b u t , w e n e e d to a l l o w c h i l d re n a c h a n c e to c o r re c t t h e i r b e h av i o r We a l s o n e e d to m a ke s u re w e a re c o n s i s t e n t i n o u r re s p o n s e to b u l l y i n g I d o t h i n k G I S D n e e d s m o re m e n t a l h e a l t h re s o u rc e s f o r o u r s t u d e n t s I t h i n k w e s h o u l d i n ve s t i g a t e i m p l e m e n t i n g a p ro g ra m l i ke R a c h e l ’s C h a l l e n g e t h a t a d d re s s e s t h e ro o t c a u s e s o f s c h o o l v i o l e n c e , b u l l y i n g , p re j u d i c e , a n d s e l f - h a r m a n d i s k n o w n to i m p rove s c h o o l c u l t u re I a l s o b e l i eve t h e re n e e d s to b e m o re w ay s f o r s t u d e n t s to re p o r t b u l l y i n g a n d i n a w ay w h e re t h ey fe e l s a fe re p o r t i n g i t I b e l i eve G I S D c o u l d b e n e f i t f ro m a d d i n g a p o s i t i o n f o r a m e n t a l h e a l t h c o u n s e l o r t h a t c o u l d s e r ve a l l t h re e o f o u r c a m p u s e s .

Biographical Information and Contacts:  (brief intro about you, your education, experience, community service as well as your campaign contact email/phone/website and/or Facebook page link)

I a m a g ra d u a t e ( 2 0 0 0 ) o f a ve r y r u ra l s c h o o l d i s t r i c t w h e re I g o t a c h a n c e to c o m p e t e i n eve r y e x t ra c u r r i c u l a r a c t i v i t y I c h o s e I re c e i ve d m y B a c h e l o r o f B u s i n e s s A d m i n i s t ra t i o n i n 2 0 0 4 f o l l o w e d by a M a s t e r 's i n Ed u c a t i o n i n 2 0 1 3 f ro m Te x a s A & M U n i ve r s i t y M y h u s b a n d , C l ay to n , a n d I h ave b e e n m a r r i e d s i n c e 2 0 0 9 a n d w e h ave t w o w o n d e r f u l c h i l d re n , R e a g a n a n d L ev i R e a g a n i s a 4 t h g ra d e r a t G E S a n d L ev i i s i n 1 s t We a re a c t i ve m e m b e r s o f G ra c e B i b l e We s o l d o u r h o m e i n D a l l a s i n 2 0 1 8 a n d s t a r t e d b u i l d i n g o u r h o m e h e re i n G u n t e r t h a t s a m e ye a r I s p e n t 1 7 ye a r s i n p u b l i c e d u c a t i o n a s a s p e c i a l e d u c a t i o n re s o u rc e t e a c h e r, A R D Fa c i l i t a to r, a n d Ed u c a t i o n a l D i a g n o s t i c i a n I t ra n s i t i o n e d to t h e c o r p o ra t e s e c to r i n 2 0 2 2 to w o r k a s a C l i n i c a l A s s e s s m e n t C o n s u l t a n t I h ave s e r ve d m y c o m m u n i t i e s i n d i f fe re n t a s p e c t s , i n c l u d i n g vo l u n t e e r i n g a t T h e B r i d g e h o m e l e s s s h e l t e r i n D a l l a s a n d T h e Fa m i l y P l a c e I w a s a l s o a m e m b e r o f t h e J u n i o r L e a g u e o f D a l l a s , w h e re I g o t a c h a n c e to s e r ve t h e c o m m u n i t y i n d i f fe re n t w ay s Yo u c a n c o n t a c t m e t h ro u g h m y c a m p a i g n Fa c e b o o k p a g e : N a t a l i e B a r n a rd f o r G I S D S c h o o l B o a rd Tr u s t e e

Krista Pace

Gunter ISD Candidate Questionnaire

Thank you for participating.  We will compile all the answers into one document to share on OurGunter social media as well as the Gunter Chamber of Commerce social media.

Please upload a photo of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply but your name and place you are running in.

Please upload a JPG of your campaign sign (if you have one).  If not, we will simply put your first and last name.

I M G 1 0 3 5 - K r i s t

Name *

K r i s t a Pa c e

Office You Are Running For (place # or position) *

S c h o o l B o a rd Tr u s t e e

Phone # (if we have any questions while compiling list) *

Why are you running for GISD School Board? *

I began thinking about running for School Board for my girls because I believe our children's education is one of the best investments we can make and I am committed to make the time to serve.

What are your top three priority issues? *

1 To h e l p f o s t e r a s a fe s p a c e t h a t A L L s t u d e n t s , s t a f f , a d m i n i s t ra t i o n , a n d p a re n t s c a n s h a re ( E x b u l l y i n g , m e n t a l h e a l t h , e t c )

2 P ro m o t i n g a n d e n c o u ra g i n g a n e x p a n d e d w e l l - ro u n d e d a s s o r t m e n t o f e l e c t i ve s o f va r i o u s s u b j e c t s i n a d d i t i o n to a n a l re a d y s u c c e s s f u l a t h l e t i c s p ro g ra m

3 To m a ke d e c i s i o n s t h a t s u p p o r t a p o s i t i ve l e a r n i n g e n v i ro n m e n t f o r t e a c h e r s a n d s t a f f

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the GISD Board? *

M y m o t i va t i o n c o m e s f ro m o u r t w o d a u g h t e r s ' a n d t h e i r p e r s o n a l e x p e r i e n c e s w i t h s c h o o l . T h ey b o t h l ove l e a r n i n g a n d t h e i r t e a c h e r s ! I w a n t to h e l p m a ke t h e i r s t r u g g l e s l e s s a n d t h e i r e x p e r i e n c e s eve n b e t t e r.

What do you see as the opportunities and challenges in this district? *

I t h i n k t h e o p p o r t u n i t i e s a n d c h a l l e n g e s a re e n d l e s s f o r o u r g ro w i n g d i s t r i c t w h i c h m e a n s t h e re a re a l s o e n d l e s s s o l u t i o n s . T h e re i s a n o p p o r t u n i t y f o r p o s i t i ve c h a n g e , a N E E D f o r p e o p l e to w o r k to g e t h e r, a n e e d f o r o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r p e o p l e w h o d i s a g re e to b e a b l e to c o m e to g e t h e r to w o r k t h ro u g h i s s u e s t h a t e x i s t o r a r i s e .

How do you feel about the current teacher/student ratio and what options does GISD have to change it if you feel that is necessary?

Fro m w o r k i n g i n s o m e o f t h e f a s t e s t g ro w i n g d i s t r i c t s i n t h e c o u n t r y, I re a l i ze o u r s t u d e n t - t e a c h e r ra t i o w i l l i n c re a s e I t i s i n ev i t a b l e w i t h g ro w t h H o w eve r, w i t h m o re s t u d e n t e n ro l l m e n t c o m e s m o re f u n d i n g w h i c h s h o u l d b e u s e d to h i re m o re t e a c h e r s We n e e d to f i g u re o u t h o w to h i re a n d re t a i n q u a l i f i e d e d u c a to r s w i t h m o n ey t h a t w e h ave , a l l o c a t i o n s o f f u n d s , b o n d s w e c a n p a s s , a n d a n y o t h e r ave n u e I m ay n o t b e a w a re o f a t t h i s t i m e

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members? *

M y s p e c i f i c p e r s o n a l e x p e r i e n c e o f ove r f i f t e e n ye a r s i n e d u c a t i o n h a s h e l p e d d eve l o p m e i n to t h e h o n e s t ( s o m e t i m e s I fe e l to o h o n e s t ) , e m p a t h e t i c , p a s s i o n a t e , a n d o b j e c t i ve p e r s o n I a m to d ay D u r i n g m y t i m e a s a t e a c h e r, I w a s p ra i s e d f o r e xc e l l e n t c l a s s ro o m m a n a g e m e n t , h a d ve r y m i n i m a l d i s c i p l i n e i s s u e s , a n d e d u c a t e d a ve r y d i ve r s e p o p u l a t i o n o f s t u d e n t s w i t h d i f fe re n t n e e d s . I t r u l y b e l i eve p e o p l e w h o d i s a g re e c a n w o r k to g e t h e r a n d re s o l ve i s s u e s I F g o o d c o m m u n i c a t i o n s k i l l s e x i s t a n d t h ey h ave t h e d e s i re to s e e k a re s o l u t i o n .

What attributes and behaviors are essential for school board members? *

I n t e g r i t y, h o n e s t y, t ra n s p a re n c y, s t ro n g p e r s o n a l e t h i c s , a c c o u n t a b i l i t y ( e s p e c i a l l y re l a t i n g to i s s u e s / c o n c e r n s t h a t m ay a r i s e i n vo l v i n g t h e i r o w n c h i l d re n ) . Fo r l a c k o f b e t t e r w o rd s , b e i n g a g o o d p e r s o n w h o h a s a d e s i re to m a ke o u r s c h o o l s a b e t t e r a n d k i n d e r p l a c e f o r a l l o f o u r c h i l d re n .

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden?

A f u n d a m e n t a l l y s o l i d e d u c a t i o n i s a n e c e s s i t y f o r o u r e n t i re c o m m u n i t y Eve n t h o s e w i t h o u t c h i l d re n i n o u r d i s t r i c t w i l l b e n e f i t f ro m e d u c a t e d , w e l l - ro u n d e d yo u t h A w e l l - e d u c a t e d s t u d e n t i s g o i n g to b e n e f i t o u r c o m m u n i t y b eyo n d t h e i r t i m e i n G u n t e r I S D T h i s i s w h y I b e l i eve i t i s s o i m p o r t a n t to s u p p o r t o u r yo u t h a n d s c h o o l s i n a n y w ay t h a t w e c a n I w o u l d l i ke to s e e eve n m o re t h a n o u r c u r re n t c l a s s s u b j e c t s o f fe re d to s t u d e n t s Fo r e x a m p l e , m o re f i n e a r t s , m o re f o re i g n l a n g u a g e s , m o re t e c h n i c a l c l a s s e s , m o re l i fe s k i l l s c l a s s e s , e t c . I b e l i eve a w e l l - ro u n d e d e d u c a t i o n i s v i t a l a n d w i l l h e l p s t u d e n t s e xc e l i n l i fe . I w o u l d l i ke to s e e h i g h l y q u a l i f i e d t e a c h e r s t e a c h i n g a d va n c e d c l a s s e s . T h e s e c l a s s e s i n c l u d e a g re a t e r w o r k l o a d to t h e s t u d e n t s a s w e l l a s t h e i r t e a c h e r s . I n m y e x p e r i e n c e , c o a c h e s s p e n d a g re a t a m o u n t o f t i m e i n s c h o o l a n d a f t e r s c h o o l w i t h p ra c t i c e s / g a m e s . A d va n c e d c o u r s e s s h o u l d b e t a u g h t by t e a c h e r s w i t h t h e a p p ro p r i a t e e d u c a t i o n a n d b a c kg ro u n d w h o d o n o t h ave a n e x p e c t e d d e m a n d i n g a f t e r - s c h o o l s c h e d u l e .

What issues do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?

In your view, what has the district done well over last five years? What has the district done poorly that you would change?

I n m y o p i n i o n , o u r a t h l e t i c p ro g ra m s h ave b e e n ve r y s u c c e s s f u l a n d re c o g n i ze d a s s u c h I w o u l d l i ke to s e e m o re ( t h a n i t i s c u r re n t l y ) o f o u r a c a d e m i c a c h i eve m e n t s re c o g n i ze d a s w e l l We n e e d to f i g u re o u t h o w to re t a i n q u a l i f i e d e d u c a to r s eve n t h o u g h t h e re i s c u r re n t l y a s h o r t a g e o f t h e m M o n ey i s n o t t h e s o l e f a c to r i n t h i s H o w eve r, w h e n ra i s e s a re ava i l a b l e t h ey s h o u l d d e f i n i t e l y b e g i ve n A p o s i t i ve w o r k e n v i ro n m e n t i s e s s e n t i a l i n re t e n t i o n A s a t e a c h e r, I c a n p e r s o n a l l y a t t e s t to t h i s I w a s f o r t u n a t e e n o u g h to h ave a s u p p o r t i ve a n d e n c o u ra g i n g a d m i n i s t ra t i o n t h ro u g h o u t m y c a re e r I d i d n' t g e t i n to t e a c h i n g f o r t h e m o n ey a n d h ave eve n t a ke n a p ay c u t w h e n c h a n g i n g d i s t r i c t s I h ave n eve r m e t a t e a c h e r w h o h a s m a d e a d e c i s i o n b a s e d s o l e l y o n m o n ey T h a t 's n o t w h y t e a c h e r s t e a c h o r w h a t i t i s a b o u t H o w eve r, t h ey a re m o re va l u a b l e t h a n m o s t p e o p l e k n o w a n d s h o u l d b e p aye d m o re i n g e n e ra l I w o u l d l i ke to s e e m o re a c c o u n t a b i l i t y / c o n s e q u e n c e s f o r u n d e s i ra b l e o r i n a p p ro p r i a t e s t u d e n t b e h av i o r, m o re t ra n s p a re n c y, m o re e q u i t a b l e t re a t m e n t to s t u d e n t s a n d s t a f f a c ro s s t h e b o a rd , a n d b e t t e r s a fe t y p ra c t i c e s t h a t u t i l i ze t h o s e s a fe t y re s o u rc e s i n t h e a p p ro p r i a t e w ay s

What guidelines do you think should be adopted by GISD with regard to bullying? *

I t h i n k G I S D s h o u l d h ave e x p e c t a t i o n s o f h o w s t u d e n t s s h o u l d t re a t e a c h o t h e r c l e a r l y p o s t e d t h ro u g h o u t a l l s c h o o l b u i l d i n g s . I w o u l d s u g g e s t a G o o g l e f o r m t h a t c a n b e f i l l e d o u t a n o n y m o u s l y w i t h d e t a i l s t h a t a l l o w f o r i n ve s t i g a t i o n o f a n yo n e w i t n e s s i n g o r e x p e r i e n c i n g b u l l y i n g . T h e re s h o u l d b e a n e n f o rc e d l i s t o f p ro c e d u re s t h a t h e l p to d e t e r m i n e i f i t i s b u l l y i n g a n d i f s o , w h a t to d o a b o u t i t . I t s h o u l d n eve r b e i g n o re d a n d a l w ay s t a ke n s e r i o u s l y. T h e re s h o u l d b e m u l t i p l e p e o p l e i n vo l ve d i n c l u d i n g a l l re l eva n t s t u d e n t s , p a re n t s , a n d t e a c h e r s . T h e re s h o u l d b e c o n s e q u e n c e s t h a t va r y i n s eve r i t y i n c o r re l a t i o n to t h e i n c i d e n t s .

Biographical Information and Contacts:  (brief intro about you, your education, experience, community service as well as your campaign contact email/phone/website and/or Facebook page link)

P l e a s e s e e m y w e b s i t e f o r m o re a b o u t m e a n d m y c o n t a c t i n f o ! h t t p s : // k r i s t a p a c e w i x s i t e c o m / s c h o o l b o a rd