MEET THE CANDIDATES

MAKE YOUR CHOICE FOR THE NOV. 5 SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION

Story by MARISSA ALVARADO | Photography Courtesy of CANDIDATES

DISTRICT 4:

Experience:

• Founder and director of the nonprofit organization the Salome Foundation; helps underserved communities and populations with a focus on Hamilton Park, Forest-Audelia

• Belongs to the Hamilton Park Civic League, the Hamilton Park InterOrganization Council and District 10’s Collective Impact Public Safety team

If elected, what policies will you advocate?

• Gain more resources and bilingual teachers to teach English Language Learner, provide additional training for current teachers on effective ways to teach ELL

• Advocate for schools most in need to receive help from nonprofit organizations that focus on education, alternative learning, increasing pay and/or incentives for educators

What changes are you hoping to make?

“I bring the millennial view to the table. Because I am a teacher, I bring the teacher’s voice to the board. I am not that far removed from being a student myself, so I bring the student voice as well. I know my voice has power, and I am not afraid to speak up for the voiceless. I really hope to change the perspective that the community has on the school board. Not many people within District 4 have ever been interested in school board elections until now because they have four candidates that look like them running for the position; that is change in perception in itself.”

Experience:

• 30 years working in corporate America, for Coca-Cola, Yum! Brands and Pizza Hut. Currently works for a technology company, Webvent Inc.

• RISD PTA member for over 10 years, served on the PTA’s executive boards and on the executive board of the RISD council of PTAs

• Cub Scouts co-den leader and Junior Beta Club sponsor

• Currently serves on the RISD Equity, Diversion and Inclusion committee

If elected, what policies will you advocate?

• Equity policy, along with many policies in RISD.

What do you like about RISD?

“There are many things that I like about RISD. I like the culture that RISD is reaching for. RISD is on a great journey, and I believe they will eventually get there. Along with the culture, I appreciate that RISD sets high expectations for academic achievement. Along with that, RISD has a very strong PTA, and there is a high level of student participation in sports, band and other activities.”

Patricia Price Hicks

Experience:

• Selected by the Texas Education Agency to conduct test analysis for Pearson Publishing Co. in Austin

• Co-op teacher for student teachers attending Texas Woman’s University and the University of North Texas

• Mentor teacher, lead teacher and facilitator for professional development and staff development

If elected, what policies will you advocate for?

• Full-time resource officers in every school due to the massive senseless violence, and notification of sex offenders in the neighborhood

• Antibullying needs to be addressed and dealt with before the bullied take manners into their own hands

• The district’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy to ensure all students have access to all opportunities to achieve their goals of receiving the best education

What would you like constituents to know?

“I am a graduate of Lake Highlands and a second-generation descendant of original Hamilton Park homeowners. The love for the neighborhood led me to conduct the research for the Texas Historical Marker that has been bestowed upon the Hamilton Park community. I followed my retired RISD mother’s passion as an educator. I am a mother and grandmother of three school-age children and devoted educator with a belief that all children can learn.”

Experience

• Teacher at DISD’s Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy

• Advocated for policy changes, helped shape the recent state-wide school finance legislation through the Teach Plus policy fellowship

• Member of the Leadership ISD fellowship, and evaluating/crafting policies, working with decisionmakers on behalf of students

If elected, what policies will you advocate?

• Increase access to quality, full-day pre-K for all 3- and 4-year-olds

• Create a standing racial equity community council, enact anti-racism training for all district employees

• Passing policies that ensure access to high-rigor courses [Algebra 1, AP/ IB classes and college-credit bearing courses], bring highest-performing teachers and principals in lowestperforming schools, and pay them extra for doing so

What, in your opinion, is the culture of RISD?

“I think that your perception of the culture of RISD largely depends on your race, class, neighborhood and even what schools you have interacted with. While many students are having a great experience at RISD schools, I have also talked to students, parents and teachers who don’t always feel represented. I’m excited to have the opportunity to invite more of those stakeholders into the conversation and work together to create a more inclusive culture.”

ERON LINN, INCUMBENT

Experience:

• Appointed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment and then to the City Planning Commission

• Six years on the Richardson Chamber of Commerce board, twice as chair of its public policy committee

• Two years on the board for the Richardson YMCA, where he volunteers as a youth sports coach

• Graduate of Inside RISD and Leadership Richardson

If elected, what policies will you advocate?

• Community engagement process for capital projects. RISD, students, neighborhood and community leaders now work side-by-side to design projects based on the needs of the school, the neighborhood and the community before a project is considered by trustees

• Recommendations made by the 2017 strategic plan for RISD to adopt a neighborhood schools policy, metrics to help determine when it’s appropriate to modify school attendance boundaries or expand a campus

• A policy that ties the percentage increase of the first-year teacher’s salary with the annual pay raise for existing teachers and staff

Vanessa Pacheco

Experience:

• MBA in Global Leadership, from the Naveen Jindal Business School at UT Dallas

• Graduated as a scholar with distinction and inducted in the Phi Kappa Phi honor society

• Experience in commercial real-estate acquisitions, divestitures and capital requests

• Professional translator providing a unique understanding of the needs of language learners

• Children attend RISD schools

• PTAs [currently a Golden RAM member], fundraisers, volunteered for various causes and arts initiatives

If elected, what policies will you advocate?

• Reducing inefficiencies in school operations with increased planning, lower classroom size and extend class time

• Increased support to programs that contribute additional opportunities that help students thrive

• Diversity, Inclusion and Equity policy with ongoing training and education

• Awareness of student mental health and campus safety by strengthening our programs, including improved training to the support teams

DISTRICT

KAREN CLARDY, INCUMBENT

Experience:

• Employee of RISD’s Lake Highlands High School for 25 years

• Mentor for teachers and students and a community member

If elected, what policies will you advocate for?

• Salary compensation, curriculum and professional development support and special education support for classroom teachers

• Additional teacher allocations may also be necessary to keep class sizes at a reasonable and teachable level

W hat is your favorite part about our neighborhood?

“Our community is a treasure trove of servant leaders who love Lake Highlands. I have witnessed over the years some very inspiring acts of kindness and goodwill. The dedication of this community to support our schools and each other is unique. We have something very special in Lake Highlands.” lakehighlands.advocatemag.com

Read the complete Q&A with each candidate online.

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