* Indicates an incumbent
** Candidate did not adhere to word limit. Responses over 50 words were cut off.
Amber Feller*
Experience:
Parent of TAG, general education and special education students in RRISD for 18 years; RRISD trustee for 4 years; Masters degree in education; Over 20 years of education related work experience.
Occupation:
Quality management specialist and advocate
Candidate Website:
https://www.facebook.com/AmberFellerForRRISDSchoolBoard
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
Recovering from the COVID[-19] learning loss and addressing teacher retention and morale problems are my top priorities. I will focus on all students and ensure goals are set to produce the most growth. I will also advocate for increased funding for public education from the state to increase teacher pay.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
It is vital that trustees are ready from day one to serve and address the issues I have listed. Because I have extensive experience and am very knowledgeable about policy and procedures, I’ll be able to immediately continue the work of improving student outcomes.
Orlando Salinas
Experience:
Managed multi-million dollar public sector budgets; Certified instructor with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement; Masters degree in business administration; Masters degree in health administration.
Occupation:
Program Specialist for the State of Texas
Candidate Website:
https://www.salinas4rrisd.com/home
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
I will focus on comprehensive school safety, academic excellence for all and parental rights.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I am the only candidate in the race for Place 3 with experience in the field of law enforcement. I have coordinated, overseen, and conducted multiagency law enforcement operations statewide to enhance public safety. I want to transform the mindset of school safety at RRISD from reactive to proactive.
Maryam Zafar
Experience:
Led a sexual assault and harassment prevention initiative; More than 70 high school volunteer hours; McNeil High School AFJROTC Vice Corps Commander; Student government member; public affairs and media watch secretary at local mosque.
Occupation:
Student
Candidate Website:
https://www.votemaryam.com/
Contact Information:
512-300-3004
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
My top priorities are include accessible mental health and disability services, disinvesting from policing and punitive measures in favor of reinvesting in preventive measures and social services, and creating sexual assault and harassment survivor support groups on every campus for both trauma-informed services and accountability.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I am uniquely qualified because of my proximity to the students that school board trustees are meant to serve. I represent student voices. Political or big-picture conversations often miss the day-to-day issues students are actually dealing with. I will bring those issues to the table as the youngest potential board**
