Pearland ISD School Board, Position 3
Virgil F. Gant (Incumbent)
Financial advisor and certified financial planner
Top Priorities
My top priorities are that each student has access to the best education, ensuring the district is fiscally responsible and the education services are the most effective and efficient. [We also need] to manage growth in a manner that does not adversely affect the students.
What makes you a qualified candidate for PISD school board?
I have 15 years of experience on the board, including a term as president and two terms as vice president. During my service Pearland ISD has tripled in enrollment and gone from inadequate financial reserves and barely adequate academics to one of the best districts in the state. I know the workings of this district and what it takes to improve it. In 2014 I also earned the designation of Master Trustee by the Texas Association of School Boards.
Mark Lewis
Senior biopharmaceutical representative
Top Priorities
My top priorities include partnering with the superintendent and improving community relations as well as placing a focus on budget sensitivity, bullying programs and the addition of more bilingual programs and schools.
What makes you a qualified candidate for PISD school board?
I am a U.S. veteran who wants to serve the community by being a role model. I understand budgeting, bottom lines and [I] understand the needs and desires of people. I have served on several boards over the last 10 years, and I was a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters. I have [served] the community all my life—from visiting nursing homes when I was a child to being a mentor to children today. I am here to serve.
Kelvin L. Williams
Electrical power systems integration engineer
Top Priorities
Be a good steward for our schools; work to keep Pearland ISD academically competitive; work to help ensure that the school district recruits attracts and retains the highest quality educators as the students deserve the best; work with a purpose to ensure that all children are provided the opportunity to learn and grow in an environ; work to support a systematic effort to ensure that all Pearland Independent School facilities are safe for our children’s educational endeavors
What makes you a qualified candidate for PISD school board?
As a dedicated and involved parent of two in Pearland ISD, I have a vested interest in the district as an entity that is important regarding the future success for all children attending. If elected, I will work to support current efforts to have PISD graduates prepared to compete globally. I believe that I will bring to the board a knowledge of science, mathematics and engineering concepts that will help propel our students forward.
Pearland ISD School Board, Position 4
Sean P. Murphy
Vice president, HomeTown Bank of Pearland
Top Priorities
My priorities include making sure there is a path for success for all students, ensuring that early literacy is a priority at the elementary level and making certain that we hire and retain the most qualified staff. It is important that we ensure a balance in the district for all students.
What makes you a qualified candidate for PISD school board?
I am qualified based on my experience as a local business person, director and community volunteer.
I have been responsible for writing budgets, financing and strategic planning. With a business management background I understand how large organizations handle human resources, training and organizational planning. I am also a parent and have volunteered to coach, teach financial classes and raise money.
Andrew Solomon (Incumbent)
Law professor, www.Andrew4PISD.org
Top Priorities
Academics must always be the top priority for a school district. I am the candidate who made academic excellence the top priority and devised the plan that elevated academic standards. [Pearland ISD] achieved these academic results while being fiscally responsible.
What makes you a qualified candidate for PISD school board?
My life’s work has been devoted to education. For the last 20 years as a law professor, I have dedicated my professional life to providing a great education for my students. For the last five years, I have dedicated countless hours to the improvement of the Pearland schools for our children. I am the professional educator who designed the plan that has made our schools significantly better.
Registered voters in Brazoria County can cast their ballot at any vote center in the county during early voting and on Election Day. For a complete list of Brazoria County polling locations and to view early voting hours at each location, visit www.brazoriacountyclerk.net Registered voters in the city of Friendswood can only cast their ballot for the city’s local election at Friendswood City Hall during early voting and on Election Day. For more information, call the city secretary at 281-996-3270.
