Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
* Indicates an incumbent
Jim Steele
Experience:
Technology leadership private/public sectors; multi-million-dollar budgets; combat veteran; 24 year WilCo resident
Occupation:
Retired from IT program management
Candidate Website:
https://www.steele4students.com
Contact Information:
512-880-4776
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
Kids first; smarter spending; safe schools; cutting edge STEM curriculum, occcupational life skills, Fine Arts; students reading at grade level by third grade; incentivize/elevate teacher salaries; age-appropriate instructional materials; zero tolerance for bullying/human trafficking; fund school safety mandates; improve budget...
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
Public education provided opportunities to gain extensive experience in the public, private and military sectors. Managing successful multi-million-dollar technology contracts, projects and operating budgets, achieved through teamwork and a diverse skill set. As a combat veteran, teamwork is critical to survival and has served me well throughout my career.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the district, and how will you improve it?
RRISD faces challenges with teacher retention, compensation, student outcomes, financing school safety mandates, cutting edge STEM, fine arts and occupational skills programs. My vision for improvement involves balancing spending with the student population, while meeting the demands of becoming the top school of choice in Texas.
What is something you want Round Rock ISD residents to know about you?
Combat veteran. Bronze Star recipient. Certified therapeutic riding instructor working with horses, children and veterans. Three family members graduated from RRISD high schools. Two masters degrees. Certified project manager. Devoted to my family. Active church member.
Dr. Mingyuan Michael Wei
Experience:
BoD of WCAD; VP of RRISD PTA council; RRISD leadership training (Class of 2024)
Occupation:
Toxicologist
Candidate Website:
https://www.drweiforrrisd.com
Contact Information:
682-238-0121
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
1. Ensure a high-quality education that promotes student readiness and the accessibility to all students, especially special education programs. 2. Prioritize both physical security and emotional well-being in our schools. 3. Secure necessary funding from state and federal sources and explore alternative revenue options and transparency and accountability in allocating...
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
1. Data-driven decision making: two decades work experience as a scientist. 2. Relevant experience and connections: serving on multiple boards gave me a deep understanding of board member responsibilities. Through community volunteering, I have built strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. 3. Unwavering commitment to working tirelessly to...
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the district, and how will you improve it?
Chronic underfunding and staffing shortages pose the most significant challenge facing our district, but also pervasive throughout Texas. I am dedicated to advocate for increased state funding as a long-term legislative goal, and actively explore alternative funding sources by partnering with local organizations and businesses to establish robust programs.
What is something you want Round Rock ISD residents to know about you?
Since my family (with my wife and two kids) moved here in 2020, I've been actively serving our community, including WCAD BoD, VP of RRISD PTA council and various RRISD committees. I'm a dedicated PTA volunteer and was a guest educator. I completed RRISD leadership training and trustee candidate training.
