Jacob Betz
Experience: Graduate of Concordia University Austin, attended Texas Fire Academy in Hays County. Graduated top of emergency medical technician class. Former vice president of the Pfluger Haus Foundation. PfISD educator for almost 12 years.
What are the major issues you see facing Pflugerville ISD and what are the solutions?
Health and safety—Students, teachers and administrators must work together to develop a climate of health and safety that facilitates a positive impact on our campuses, our neighborhoods and our community at large.
What are your thoughts on PfISD becoming a district of innovation?
We must educate our community on what a district of innovation is and how PfISD would use it, and then the district must be willing to listen in return to what it means to those it will impact. When making sweeping changes to the foundational policies that shape a school district, you cannot do so without ample communication.
Tony Hanson
Experience: Founding member of the mentor program at PfISD. Served on the 2007 PfISD and 2015 city of Pflugerville Bond Review Committees. I have served on the Austin Alpha Foundation board and chairman of the Deacon Board at my church, Youth minister and associate minister.
What are the major issues you see facing Pflugerville ISD and what are the solutions?
Rapid growth, attracting and retaining quality teachers, and uncertainty of state funding. The average age of the district's facilities is 18 years old. As the buildings get older, the maintenance to maintain them will also increase.
What are your thoughts on PfISD becoming a district of innovation?
The district should continue to explore this option. It's my understanding that the district of innovation program will provide PfISD 'local control.' It will give the district greater flexibilities that have been afforded to other schools. I wait to hear the results of the plan from the committee that was formed, which is comprised of staff and the community.
Charlie Torres
Experience: I have volunteered over 35 years in the communities I have lived in. I have lived in Pflugerville for eight years and served on the Gregory-Portland ISD school board for 12 years. My work includes negotiating collective bargaining agreements for employees.
What are the major issues you see facing Pflugerville ISD and what are the solutions?
The city is growing really fast, which is adding more students to our schools. Classroom sizes are larger, and that affects instructional needs of a child. Our great teachers do an awesome job, but it puts a lot of stress on them.
What are your thoughts on PfISD becoming a district of innovation?
I have reservations on this DOI; I have learned of some negative points and some positive points. I am on that committee, and I will make sure that I study all aspects of the DOI, which was created when part of Chapter 12 of the Texas Education Code was amended.
