School Board Candi dates

Place 6

Bumgarner is currently working on her psychology certification and has a daughter at Flower Mound HS. She has been involved in her community by teaching dating violence classes, alcohol and drug awareness class, and a Shattered Dreams program.

She said she is running for office to help parents and teachers have a voice in schools.

“I have seen and overheard many of our teachers complain of feeling that they are not given proper time to teach core education while constantly battling an ever changing grading system with state testing,” she wrote. “This has become one of the big issues that is contributing to many educators leaving the profession. While all student’s personalities are forming and evolving through their educational career some issues should be addressed at home and allow our

Mindy Bumgarner: Michelle Alkhatib:

She is a former elementary school principal and 13-year LISD PTA member, who served on numerous committees. She has four children enrolled in LISD schools and has been involved in her community through working as a LEF Board member, tutoring for students and volunteering at local schools and the Flower Mound Public Library.

She said she is running to be an advocate for all children and staff.

“Lewisville ISD is a district that cares about all students, staff, and families. It is a district that empowers learning and growth,” she wrote.

Her top three priorities will be to listen to the community, ensure that all students have access to the best education and are safe within their schools and advocate for all students, teachers, and staff in the district.

Alkhatib says that the biggest issue teachers to teach.”

Her top three priorities are allowing parents to have a voice, transparency in educational programs, and helping teachers get more classroom materials. She believes the biggest problem facing LISD is teacher turnover and the reason many are leaving is because of teaching social education.

“A portion of every teacher’s class time is being dedicated to teaching a social education while also increasing the requirements of the core education,” she wrote. “This is an impossible battle for teachers to have positive outcomes, and the current educational scoring in the district shows the drop in literacy and numeracy. As a school board our job is to make sure our students are prepared for the future no matter what that may be, immediately entering the work force, trade schools, or college. However, if we do not focus on ELAR, Mathematics, History, and Science we are doing each child an injustice as they graduate.” facing LISD is continuing to provide funding for our current programs.

Bumgarner also believes in strong parental involvement in education and advocated for curriculum based on age and maturity. When it comes to making sure traditionally marginalized students are safe and welcomed in LISD she emphasizes equality.

“I think it is important to note ‘All Students’ without placing one group over another,” Bumgarner wrote.

She is also the wife of state representative and former Flower Mound Town Council member Ben Bumgarner(R).

She is endorsed by Congressman Pat Fallon(R) and Constable Danny Fletcher(R).

“We need to continue advocating for the needed resources in our district. We currently are giving $54 million dollars of our local property tax dollars back to the state in recapture,” she wrote. “We are having to find creative ways to fund teacher retention, classroom resources, and safety and security measures.”

Teacher retention is another issue Alkhatib wants to address if she were to be elected as a school board member.

“Lewisville ISD is the best school district in Texas and voted as the top employer in Denton County. We need to make sure that our teachers, administrators, and staff are being praised as such,” she wrote. “Our teachers have been on the frontlines of education and incurred multiple stressors professionally and personally.

We need to continue to listen to our employees and find ways that will keep them wanting to stay in LISD.”

Alkhatib says that parents are currently a valuable part of the content and curriculum process.

“LISD has processes in place. For example, parents can review any new textbooks before they are adopted and voice their opinion on the options. This allows parents to be aware and involved with what their children are learning,” she wrote. “We also must rely on the professional expertise of our teachers. Parents currently have the right to opt out of curriculum and resources that families do not want them learning at school.”

She is endorsed by Dr. Kevin Rogers, former LISD superintendent and currently place 6 board member Krisit Hasset.