Vanessa Petrea is running to serve on the Hays CISD school board.[/caption] Vanessa V. Petrea 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? I am passionate about education and investing in the next generation of leaders. I also know from experience that access to an exceptional public education is a game-changer. What will be your top priority if elected? Our district needs to re-evaluate its guiding vision to ensure that it permeates every campus. My first priority will be to clearly define expectations set for our students and educators. I’m concerned we’ve become too narrowly focused on metrics and have overlooked citizenship, leadership development and postsecondary success whether that means college, the workforce or the military. Why do you think you are qualified to be a trustee? I have two children in the district, including a son with special needs. I serve on the education foundation board and am the PTA president at Elm Grove. I previously served as PTA president at Blanco Vista. I work for a law firm as a proposal manager. I understand the bidding process and how professional services are purchased. I believe my proven leadership, dedication to the district and business acumen would be an asset to the district. Our family has also lived in both Kyle and Buda, and I understand the challenges throughout the district. Hays CISD will hold a bond election this year. Do you support the bond propositions? Why or why not? No one can argue that many of our campuses are busting at the seams. We desperately need new schools, fire sprinklers and leaky roofs to be fixed. But I think the district needs to improve how new school designs are selected and how to address maintenance. Community input and better transparency are needed to review design proposals and costs. I am supporting both bond proposals. However, if elected, I want to work to improve the process for approving new school designs. What is your opinion on the state’s A-F accountability ratings? Accountability is important, but tying too many metrics to standardized testing is not the answer. We need a rating system that evaluates all aspects of the classroom. There are absolutely areas in our district that need improvement, and I am hopeful we can glean some insight from these ratings to help schools with lower ratings. How well do you think the district does in attracting and retaining top educators? Hays CISD has some of the best teachers in the state. We moved back to Hays County after living in north Texas because of our positive experiences with Hays CISD educators. Our educators need the community’s support, effective training, engaged administrative leadership and strong mentorship.