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Three candidates are running for Pearland ISD board of trustees position 7 in the upcoming May election.
Early voting will be held from April 25-May 3. Election day is May 7. Candidate responses may have been edited for length and clarity.
There is no incumbent running for Pearland ISD board of trustees Position 7.
Why are you choosing to run for Pearland ISD board of trustees?
I love serving our community. That is why I ran for Pearland City Council and have served on several local charity boards. I believe in our district and its potential. I count several of the current Pearland ISD trustees as friends, and I know I can work with them to help our district prosper.
If you are elected, what would be your top priorities?
Teacher retention is my highest priority. No organization is successful with high turnover. I would also like to develop a better plan for school redistricting. The current process leaves parents with nearly no options if their school of choice is taken from them. Student mental health is also a top priority. Our students need better tools to deal with today's challenges, like cyberbullying. I would also like to protect better and enhance our district's specialty programs like dual language, the [gifted and talented] academy, and the Turner High School dual-credit program.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Pearland ISD?
Dealing with the loss of good teachers is [a] major issue. School safety is also vital. The school shooting in Santa Fe was not very long ago. We need to do all we can to ensure such a tragedy does not visit our district. There are several ways we can enhance security at all of our schools.
Anything else you want potential voters to know?
As a design engineer that has worked on designing several schools, including some in Pearland ISD, I would like to prioritize improvements to our campuses to reduce traffic and pickup and drop-off wait times. I would also like to help create better connections between the school district, the city of Pearland and Brazoria County.
Why are you choosing to run for Pearland ISD board of trustees?
I would like to share my knowledge and skills toward student success and support. An educator perspective is important and can be helpful. With my experiences, I can support the board in many ways, including communication with the district, parents and community. Pearland ISD provided a solid education for my children. My grandchildren are now part of PISD. I am vested in this district and what it offers all students toward a brighter future.
If you are elected, what would be your top priorities?
My top priorities include student safety and well-being, academic achievement, teacher recruitment and retention, and fiscal responsibility. The goal is for progress and success of every student. Students must feel safe and supported to be successful. Academic achievement is dependent on the recruitment and retention of great teachers. Fiscal responsibility makes it all happen while looking at needs and costs, priorities and monies available.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Pearland ISD?
I feel the biggest issue is the budget. The pandemic and inflation have added extra costs. The fact is that Pearland ISD receives less funding per student than other large districts in Texas. Looking at competitive salaries, natural disasters, unscheduled maintenance and repairs, etc. makes it difficult at times to prioritize or maintain set plans. I have experience and leadership in campus budgets, budgets for opening new schools and distribution of bond monies.
Anything else you want potential voters to know?
My career has been dedicated to student well-being and achievement. Being a teacher, principal at three levels and district administrator, I’ve been able to support children by teaching and mentoring others. Student outreach is one program that I helped initiate and am proud of the 99% completion rate of students every year. This district truly works together pre-K-12 toward completion in mind. Graduation every year at NRG Stadium reminds us of our goal.
Why are you choosing to run for Pearland ISD board of trustees?
I owe everything to my public school education. Through my education I met my husband, found the career of my dreams, and was able to provide for my four beautiful children all of whom are products of the Pearland ISD school system. I am incredibly grateful for the magnificent education that Pearland ISD has provided my kids. That’s why I want to give back by serving on the school board as a trustee.
If you are elected, what would be your top priorities?
Teacher retention, supporting and backing teachers as professionals and experts in their field as well as making sure their compensation is as good as surrounding districts. Communication between the district and parents. Best practices regarding our students’ health and how to avoid absenteeism.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Pearland ISD?
In my opinion, the biggest issue facing the Pearland ISD is the challenge of maintaining holistic academic standards in a post-pandemic environment wherein learning loss and the potential political climate can lead to loss of opportunities for our students as they face their future educational endeavors.
Anything else you want potential voters to know?
Band, theater, PACE school, special education, track, National Honor Society, dual credit, choir, debate, tennis: These are the PISD opportunities, services and extracurricular activities my children were able to benefit from for which I feel a great deal of indebtedness to our public school community and part of why I feel I would have a great footing on which to build as a PISD school board trustee.
