By Renee Hansen John Classe was appointed June 16 to fill the remainder of Dan Mossakowski's second year on the Frisco ISD board of trustees. Classe, 37, is a Certified Financial Planner with Bell Financial Group of Frisco and has been a city of Frisco and Frisco ISD resident since 2000. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Vanderbilt University and has been involved with several community and school organizations including the Frisco Community Development Corp. He and his wife, Melanie, have two daughters.

What are your top three priorities for Frisco ISD?

• Continuing FISD's tradition of excellence in the small-school environment. An environment that provides greater opportunity for students to connect with their school community and one that has been a primary reason families choose to move to Frisco ISD.
• Prudent implementation of the capital program approved by voters earlier this year in order to accommodate the nearly 20,000 new students we expect to welcome by the end of the decade. Further, it is imperative that we effectively communicate our progress with the taxpayers of Frisco ISD in order to retain the trust they have placed in the district.
• Focus on the strong partnerships that have enhanced the educational experience for Frisco ISD children and which bring fiscal efficiency to the operation Partnerships with students, their families, FISD teachers and staff, the city of Frisco, our local business community, educational partners like Collin College, and more.

What topics would you like to see discussed at future board meetings?

I would like to discuss enhanced online accessibility to board meetings through live streaming and an enhanced web experience overall.

What are the biggest issues facing Frisco ISD right now?

The growth in our student population over the past 20 years is unparalleled. The challenge to accommodate this growth is just as great today as ever, yet, growth alone does not determine the success of Frisco ISD. Instead we are graded on maintaining academic excellence district wide throughout our rapid growth.

Development and growth is happening all around Frisco. How do you plan to help future growth in the area?

It will be critical that FISD continues to collaborate successfully with the city of Frisco. The city makes zoning decisions that turn on the faucet of new residents. Those new residents bring children that must be educated, so the school district must continue to find ways to be at the table when those decisions are considered. I intend to use my strong relationships with city leadership to facilitate positive and cooperative dialogue and planning.

In what ways do you see yourself as an advocate for the residents/students you represent?

Having witnessed much of the growth we have experienced in my 14 years as a Frisco ISD resident, I am honored, and it has been my pleasure serving this exceptional community on various boards and commissions for the past eight years. Being behind the scenes on city boards offers a unique understanding of the processes and statutes that our district must operate within. I have seen where we have been and what it has taken to get us to where we are. As a parent of two elementary-age Frisco ISD students, I have a firsthand account of what it means to be an FISD parent. I experience our current educational product as the end user, and that gives me insight to the cares and concerns of FISD families, taxpayers and voters.