Meet the candidates: Argyle ISD board of trustees, Place 2

Why are you running for school board, and what prompted your interest in serving the community in this way?

I was encouraged to run for school board by many of my peers, mostly involved parents and teachers. I have been an active participant and volunteer in our school district since moving to Argyle. My interest in serving the community in this capacity stems from my belief that parents are the primary educators of their children and should be involved both in and out of their children’s classrooms. As a stay-at-home mom with children spanning the district at every campus level, I aim to use my experience as a mother and my many relationships within the schools to be an advocate for students, parents, and teachers.

What are some issues facing the district, and do you like where the district stands now as far as academics, finances and programming (for example, extracurricular activities)?

The most significant issue our district faces is the fast growth. We have a very strong district that has created a legacy of excellence in all areas, including academics, athletics and fine arts. Our finances are quite comparable to other fast-growth districts with similar enrollment in our area. We have an excellent finance team that uses every avenue available to ensure we are fiscally responsible. Our administration stays abreast of the needs and desires of the families in our district, adjusting the coursework offered to best reflect our student body. I would like to see more options added as we grow, specifically in electives, as well as a heavier reliance on student leadership to make an impact in our schools.

What do you hope to accomplish on the board?

Areas that I would address if elected include creating a platform for transparency and communication directly from the board to the community, updating policies and procedures to create fluidity among the campuses, strengthening our programs to keep pace with our fast growth, and maintaining the values that our families and teachers have come to expect in Argyle. I specifically would like to look at the current state of our students’ and teachers’ overall experiences. Not only do I aim to help with teacher preparedness, but I hope to create an environment for teachers that encourages their longevity in the district. At the same time, I want to provide parents a clear oversight of their children’s curriculum, and participation in extracurricular and school functions. The overall goal is to build on a foundation of involvement that motivates the entire community to focus on our children’s educational needs.

Argyle’s enrollment is expected to nearly double in the next several years. Do you think the administration is handling growth in a prudent manner?

It is the job of the administration to utilize the people and resources available to best determine the future of the district. Like many parents, I have not participated in the process regarding the executive decisions made by the board and administration. My belief is that, given the novel circumstances of this district, the current board and administration are making decisions in the best interest of the students. I am happy to see more focus on future planning that allows flexibility as the growth of our district unfolds. I feel that we are utilizing our facilities in a way that maximizes their potential, while also leaving room for adaptations to be made as needed.

What is your opinion about the need for more bond elections in the future?

Bond elections are a common product of a growing district. As expansion of the district persists, I think it is crucial that the community continues to help provide the necessities that are part of our children’s education. The nature of bonds is to provide critical resources in order to avoid the defunding of education or the overwhelming of teachers, staff and students. At the same time, it is important that fiscal responsibility is practiced in the use of school bonds.

Why are you running for school board, and what prompted your interest in serving the community in this way?

I am running for school board because I love our district and strongly believe that our brightest days are ahead of us. I am confident that my skills and approach will enable me to make the tough decisions that we face in the future and will ensure that the excellence in education that this district is renowned for is maintained. I also have a deep passion for civil service and giving back to the community. Since relocating my family to Argyle, I have taken advantage of every opportunity to volunteer and be involved in as many organizations and activities as possible. This includes my time spent as a substitute teacher in the Argyle ISD, volunteering in the Watch D.O.G.S. [Dads of Great Students] program at Hilltop and Argyle West elementary [schools], serving as a board member on the Argyle Education Foundation, and coaching various sports teams throughout [the Argyle Youth Sports Association]. The primary catalyst for my involvement with youth began when my wife, Ginna, and I became active foster parents. Not only did this experience fuel my passion for youth, but it also motivated my wife to become a pediatric ICU nurse. My family currently has four Eagles at different Argyle ISD schools, so I have a vested interest in ensuring that our district continues providing the amazing educational experience that it is recognized for. I am convinced that my service to the community, in collaboration with my professional background, will enable me to make sound and objective decisions that are in the best interest of all of our Argyle Eagles.

What are some issues facing the district, and do you like where the district stands now as far as academics, finances and programming (for example, extracurricular activities)?

I believe that our district is excelling in academics, sports and extracurricular activities, which is evidenced by the receipt of multiple Lone Star Cups. As our district continues to grow, it is imperative that the district has a strategic plan of action that will ensure that the required infrastructure is in place to support the forecasted growth. A priority should be to emphasize student involvement and participation by increasing the activities that are offered to the student population. The increase in population should facilitate the additional activities, clubs and organizations, so that students can plug into programs that interest them. In my opinion, the district must be intentional and prudent in the coming years as it relates to district finances. It is common for a district experiencing rapid growth, like ours, to bear financial burdens while they build new schools to support the growth. However, it is imperative to ensure that the most financially responsible decisions are made to ensure that the district remains financially solvent and to be responsible with the expenditure of taxpayer’s money. Funding expenditures must be prioritized based upon what will provide the greatest benefit to the district. The financial implications will be critical during the next few years as the district builds additional infrastructure to support the student population growth. Making important financial decisions is something that I am well versed in doing, since my responsibility at BNSF Railway is to manage and provide oversight for a budget of over $300 million. I strongly believe that this professional experience will be a true asset as a board member.

What do you hope to accomplish on the board?

What I hope to accomplish as a board member is to continue the tradition of excellence that we all moved to Argyle to be a part of. Our district is unique, and that uniqueness should be maintained. After all, this is why many of our families relocated to this area. In addition to this, my hope is to bring greater transparency, unity and community collaboration to the board and its decisions.

Argyle’s enrollment is expected to nearly double in the next several years. Do you think the administration is handling growth in a prudent manner?

Argyle has grown at an unprecedented rate over the past few years. Forecasts project that this growth will continue during the foreseeable future. Our administration has developed, and our board subsequently approved, a 10-year plan to handle the growth on a tactical and strategic level. I firmly believe it is important to have a road map going forward to ensure that the district is continually positioned to have adequate schools, staff, equipment and teachers to provide the best educational experience to our students. As a 10-year forecast is a long-term road map, it is important that the plan be re-evaluated on a recurring basis to ensure that the growth is not happening at a faster than projected rate and that other external factors do not dictate changes to the plan. Currently, the plan is to be re-evaluated every 6 months, which should ensure that the plan is in full alignment with district growth. As the district continues to grow, it is important that the board makes decisions that are at the highest level of financial integrity.

What is your opinion about the need for more bond elections in the future?

Due to the state’s current funding model, local bonds are key for districts experiencing the rapid growth that Argyle is seeing. These bonds give Argyle ISD access to the capital necessary to acquire school sites and construct the new facilities the district will need in order to accommodate the expanding student population. The current growth outlook is showing a need for a second middle school and expansion to the current high school, which will both require additional funding from a future bond package. However, AISD currently has minimal bonding capacity and is facing large cost overruns in the 2022 bond package (due to inflation). I believe that we must be more financially prudent and transparent than ever with our bond dollars so we can ensure that we can continue to deliver a world-class education while living within our means.