Candidate Q&A: Grapevine-Colleyville ISD board of trustees Place 3

Why are you running for office?

TN: I am running for office because GCISD students deserve an excellent education. Sadly, I have watched the deterioration of the district's academic performance since my two children have graduated. I want to get our district back on track by eliminating outside political influence in the curriculum and get back to prioritizing academics while creating an environment of trust and transparency between the district and community. I will use my six years of leadership experience from the City Council to bring the necessary changes.

What are the biggest challenges facing the families and staff in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD?

TN: Our district is experiencing massive learning gaps. This isn’t a problem unique to our district, but it’s a challenge we need to rise and overcome. The culprit isn’t just COVID-19. As our district has shifted our curriculum away from the classics, we’ve seen political influence and inappropriate content (content that you can’t even read aloud at a school board meeting or print on this website, mind you). These changes do not coincide with the district beliefs to build fundamental academic skills.

If elected, what would be your top priorities?

TN: We need to put parents back in the driver’s seat with their children’s education. That means prioritizing transparency so parents can review the curriculum and open new lines of collaboration with teachers. We must also return the district's focus to core curriculum—reading, writing and arithmetic—and away from social indoctrination. We need to restore fiscal sanity to our budgets while prioritizing teacher and classroom spending.

What are some new ideas or programs you would like the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD board of trustees to explore?

TN: COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on student performance. I’d like to partner with parents and teachers to create programs to catch students up to grade level, [and] to help them excel and deliver the exceptional education GCISD schools have been known for.

Why are you running for office?

LS: My goal as a trustee and a conservative is stewardship. Stewardship is applied to our daily environment in education, health, economics and culture. Being involved for over 20 years in Grapevine and Colleyville has allowed me to listen and learn the needs and expectations of our community in our changing environment. I will be a voice reviewing, developing and being held accountable for our students' college, career and military readiness.

What are the biggest challenges facing the families and staff in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD?

LS: There are 59 languages spoken in students’ homes across our district, which shapes and influences cultural beliefs and expectations. We have success with our Student Voice Program. We can improve and execute a Parent/Community Voice Platform. This will be done by listening and respecting every child and parents’ personal story to create a Personal Learning Plan for every student. We must put students at the front and advocate for each one. I will continue to work hard in reviewing and adopting programs that result in each student continuing to have their own Personalized Learning Plan and meeting their needs.

If elected, what would be your top priorities?

LS: I was raised in North Texas and moved to GCISD 21 years ago with my wife, Julie, to start a life in Northeast Tarrant County and GCISD. The education and opportunities offered in GCISD are top tier. We must continue to face the challenges in our environment to provide excellence in programs and education for our students. They deserve it, and our society demands it. I have and will take responsibility in listening to the needs of our students, community and staff to ensure transparency and better communication to protect and improve on the public education each student deserves.

What are some new ideas or programs you would like the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD board of trustees to explore?

LS: Parent involvement/empowerment has been at the center of each family’s household education and beliefs. It is important that we allow each student and family to have a seat at the table developing the students’ Personalized Learning Plan. I will research and look at using technology to advance choice. An example to implement collective effort and engagement would be to work with our book provider, Skyward, and parent email to get notification when a book is checked out from a school library. Also, evaluate options within Skyward to allow parents when registering their child to have a section for selecting reading material that aligns with their family values.