Carissa Picard is running for Plano ISD board of trustees Place 1.[/caption]
Why are you running for PISD board of trustees?
My son and I have benefited profoundly from the incredible schools in Plano. I am seeking Place 1 on the board of trustees so that I may give back to this wonderful school district.Why are you qualified for this position?
If elected, I want to be a voice for PISD families and students. As an attorney, I know how to be a zealous advocate for the people whose interests I represent. I believe passionately that the school district’s budget and policies must be informed by the needs of our families and students. And I believe our board of trustee members should all be advocates for this great community.If elected, what will you focus on?
I want to engage in a dialogue with our families to understand what their needs are and whether they believe those needs are being met sufficiently. I think the continued demand for school vouchers reflects a level of dissatisfaction with our public schools that must be examined more closely and should not be dismissed out-of-hand. I would also like to explore the possibility of allowing for greater creativity within our public school system when it comes to providing opportunities for our students to be competitive after high school graduation. I am particularly passionate about expanding our magnet schools and programs within our established schools. Finally, I want to ensure we are listening to our teachers. PISD teachers are second only to PISD families when it comes to insight regarding the practical effect of school policies on our students. As a result, our teachers should be involved in all discussions regarding the proposed or perceived efficacy of school policies. I like to sum up my candidacy with three words: engage, empower and enrich. In short, I want to engage our families, empower our teachers and enrich our students’ educational experience. More information about Picard's campaign can be found on her website.Place 1 is currently held by Tammy Richards, whose is running for re-election. Election day is May 6 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., and early voting will run April 24-29 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and May 1-2 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Polling locations have not been announced.
