Debbie Munoz is running for a trustee at-large position on the Hays CISD school board.[/caption] Debbie Munoz is one of three candidates running to represent voters on the Hays CISD board of trustees. Voters will cast their ballots May 6. Why are you running for the Hays CISD board of trustees? I am passionate about ensuring that our children receive a rich and vibrant education that not only encourages and promotes academic excellence but that also prepares them to be successful and responsible citizens. I am eager to be part of a team that is instrumental in shaping their future and that works collaboratively with the community to provide the resources needed in the most prudent and efficient manner possible.  I believe I have the drive, the passion and the enthusiasm to be an effective school board trustee. What will be your top priority if elected?   Our school district faces many challenges: improved academic excellence, fast growth, talent management, school safety and socio-economic issues to name a few. My top priority will be to build consensus with all stakeholders and find solutions that will address the needs of our children. Why do you think you are qualified to be a trustee?   Professionally, I currently lead and oversee the largest department of a multibillion-dollar statewide public pension plan and have served over 800 Texas cities and the people that work for those cities for the past 19 years. I have extensive experience working with the public and with diverse people from all across the state of Texas. Personally, I served on Kyle City Council during a period of rapid growth, I served as the PTA Treasurer at both Negley Elementary School and Barton Middle School, and I’m currently a member of both the Hays Athletic and Band Booster Clubs. Because my step-daughter attended and graduated from Lehman HS and my son currently attends Hays HS, I feel I bring a unique perspective to the board. I have a passion for serving the public, and I’m accustomed to listening and advocating for those who work on the front line. Hays CISD will hold a bond election this year. Do you support the bond propositions? Why or why not?   I enthusiastically support both bond propositions. Our current enrollment at the high schools far exceeds the capacity for both schools. We are projected to exceed capacity at both the elementary and middle school levels within the next three to four years. School safety is a huge concern when we are at over-capacity and student-teacher ratios continue to increase, which seriously impedes the learning environment for all our students. Many of [our] facilities require major maintenance, repair and replacement. What is your opinion on the state’s A-F accountability ratings? The current Hays CISD board of trustees recently passed a resolution opposing the state’s A-F accountability ratings, and I agree with their position. While I understand the state’s desire to implement a consistent accountability system, this rating system is heavily based on standardized test scores and has failed in other states. Assigning a grade based on a snapshot of the students’ performance at one point in time seems to be shortsighted and creates a false impression of our entire district. If elected, I would support collaborating with our state legislators to find alternative measures to rate our schools. How well do you think the district does in attracting and retaining top educators? I believe top-qualified educators are initially attracted to school districts that provide fair salaries, that have great working conditions and that are located in great areas to live. If elected, I would be supportive of initiatives that would bring teacher and staff salaries and benefits in the top 25 percentile of similar size districts in the area.