Answers may have been edited for length, style and clarity.
*Indicates incumbent
Karina Davis*
Experience:
Keller ISD board of trustees Place 2 since 2013; 30 years in human resources
Occupation:
Head of Total Rewards (human resources)
Candidate Website:
N/A
Contact Information:
[email protected]
Why are you running for office?
I have been serving as a trustee since 2013 and still believe I have a lot to offer. I have a passion for education.
What are the biggest challenges facing the families and staff in Keller ISD?
Honestly, this question can change from day to day. But taking an overall approach to this question, I think one of our continued largest hurdles is the disruption that COVID-19 caused for our students' education and emotional health.
If elected, what would be your top priorities?
I do not now nor previously had an agenda. My goal is to continue to collaborate with the district and provide the support to provide the best educational opportunity to our students and staff.
What are some new ideas or programs you would like the Keller ISD board of trustees to explore?
Again—I do not have something specific … but I believe we will continue to look for innovative ways to serve our students and staff. Even with the struggles that COVID-19 has placed on the education system, we continue to grow programs and opportunities to allow each student to find their place and provide them the tools for future success.
Joni Shaw Smith
Experience:
I have been actively involved in my children's education since they set foot in Keller ISD, serving on the PTA at Park Glen and Sunset Valley elementary schools from the start. I love being around kids, their friends and helping teachers, and so I volunteer as often as I can. In my career, I work with CEOs and executives of major corporations, and Iu2019ve been privy to decisions that affect not just one employee, but an entire organization. Iu2019ve also seen how effective communication can contribute to organizational success and build trust among stakeholders. As for my academic background, I graduated from [Texas Christian University] with a [Bachelor of Arts] and [Master of Arts]. I believe this experience makes me uniquely qualified to serve as trustee for Place 2.
Occupation:
Creative director and multimedia live events producer, Thirsty Cat Creative, LLC; CEO, Lone Star Health and Fitness, LLC
Candidate Website:
www.joniforkellerisd.com
Contact Information:
[email protected]
Why are you running for office?
I’m a mother to two wonderful sons, both of whom attend Keller ISD schools. I’m a wife of an amazing and supportive husband. I am a successful business owner. I’m a community and school volunteer and have been serving on PTA since my oldest started Kindergarten. This is my “Why.” Keller ISD is a great school district; that’s why we moved here. My kids are receiving an excellent education and enjoy the schools they attend. I have great relationships with their teachers and have spent lots of time in their schools volunteering. It is these experiences that have shaped how I view education.
What are the biggest challenges facing the families and staff in Keller ISD?
One of the biggest challenges facing families and staff in Keller ISD is lack of communication and opportunities to participate in decision-making. The last couple of years have been difficult. Our KISD community continues to deal with learning loss, mental and physical health issues, and staffing problems due to COVID-19. Changes to local and state governance have caused funding issues and disenfranchised parents, teachers and staff. To fix these issues will require authentic partnerships, which begin and end with honest, transparent, open communication. My goal when elected is to help foster these partnerships to make sure Keller ISD continues to be intentionally exceptional.
If elected, what would be your top priorities?
My priority will be to give parents their voice back and to help foster partnerships. I have been listening and some of my priorities based on those conversations are: 1. Improve opportunities for collaboration between parents, students and teachers and work to ensure politics are kept out of the classroom; 2. Enhance academic excellence by ensuring curricula is evidence based and aligned with community and district goals; 3. Support initiatives that emphasize critical thinking, increase rigor and provide specialized assistance; 4. Re-evaluate benefits provided to teachers and staff to ensure KISD remains competitive for hiring while maintaining and rewarding our teachers who make Keller ISD exceptional.
What are some new ideas or programs you would like the Keller ISD board of trustees to explore?
I would like to see strengthening of early education programs for all students because investments in prekindergarten and elementary programs boost future educational achievement. I would like to see a greater emphasis in STEM throughout the district because science, technology, engineering and math help develop high level skills, such as analysis, synthesis and problem solving. I would like to enhance current vocational opportunities in the district and increase job placement opportunities for students who successfully complete certificate programs. Lastly, I think we should continue exploring training and certification opportunities that allow teachers to hone their craft so they continue to be the best K-12 workforce in the metroplex.
Julie Nors
Experience:
Graduate of Arlington ISD and Texas A&M University; Arlington ISD and Klein ISD classroom teacher and dyslexia interventionist; 21 years of parenting two children; 16 years of PTA leadership in four districts; 10 terms as PTA president on 5 campuses; Keller High School Band Boosters Leadership; KISD Council PTA advocacy chair; KISD committees: CEIC on multiple campuses, Keller High Counseling Advisory Committee, Citizens Bond Committee, Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, Community Ambassador
Occupation:
Certified Texas educator; full-time community volunteer
Candidate Website:
N/A
Contact Information:
[email protected]
Why are you running for office?
JN: I care about our Keller ISD students, staff and community. I am a parent, a certified teacher, proven child and public education advocate, and local leader with 10 years of KISD experience. I am ready to join the board to use my skills and understanding of the authority of the board to guide the district. I am also prepared to utilize my established relationships in Austin to advocate for KISD at the state level.
What are the biggest challenges facing the families and staff in Keller ISD?
JN: Recovery from the last two stressful years requires financial and academic adjustments. Our students have had a disruption in learning, but the pressure to improve scores continues and is a state-level issue tied to STAAR and A-F Ratings from the Texas Education Agency. Public school finances are a combination of state and local funds; I want the state to fully fund Texas public schools. Finally, we need to all work together to make KISD exceptional for all stakeholders.
If elected, what would be your top priorities?
JN: I will work collaboratively with the board and Dr. Westfall to: Serve all students with dignity and respect; allocate resources so that KISD remains a destination district for employees and residents; provide exceptional opportunities for student achievement; promote the district’s successes; manage the budget with fiscal accountability; encourage innovative solutions for issues that arise; listen to our community and build relationships; and continue to be a KISD Community Ambassador.
What are some new ideas or programs you would like the Keller ISD board of trustees to explore?
JN: Administrators are charged with the creation and implementation of programming. Trustees set the budget, hire and evaluate the superintendent, establish goals and evaluate outcomes. I do have some ideas to share: Opportunities for budget funding KISD extracurricular programs; continued investment in developmentally appropriate early childhood programs; establish a local credit financial literacy course in high schools; recognize our academic all stars by establishing a KISD Academic Hall of Fame; and explore ways to provide teachers the time they need to do their jobs with excellence, but also help with work/life balance, like innovative planning periods or a mega lunch model.
