Jeffrey M. Barry[/caption]Jeffrey M. Barry
Occupation: insurance agency owner
281-352-3525
www.facebook.com/jeffforkids
Top priorities: academic achievement, teacher retention and fiscal responsibility
How do you retain quality teachers in the competitive Greater Houston area?
Retaining quality teachers is very difficult, especially in the competitive environment that we live in. I think that the best option is to create an environment to enrich teacher learning and support, reduce administrative burdens and to create an environment that makes teachers want to stay in Pearland.
How would you address challenges posed by state funding?
Currently, the state funding model is being challenged in the court system. If that effort fails then we will have to continue to do more with less, and then a bond initiative becomes more of a reality. I am usually not for bond issues, but in this case PISD gets less state dollars because of the successes of our students and community. [I would] strengthen public/private partnerships with the PISD Education Foundation and NBCEA to increase the influx of dollars from those organizations.
Kelvin L. Williams[/caption]Kelvin L. Williams
Occupation: lead electrical power systems integration engineer, International Space Station Program
334-202-3743
www.facebook.com/kelvinforpisdschoolboard
Top priorities: addressing current and future school capacity issues
How do you retain quality teachers in the competitive Greater Houston area?
By ensuring they have the best tools available in delivering the curriculum they teach, [and] taking an in-depth look into the health care plan costs our teachers are paying out of each paycheck.
How would you address challenges posed by state funding?
I believe Pearland has performed well fiscally amongst the challenges posed by the state of Texas. I plan to be fiscally responsible to the citizens of Pearland.
