Greg Myer, director of deployment at Corrigo, a software company, is running for Plano ISD board of trustees Place 6. Places 1, 2, 3 and 6 will also appear on the May 6 ballot. Before the election, Community Impact Newspaper sent Myer a series of questions on his candidacy. His written responses, edited for publication style, are below. [caption id="attachment_216714" align="alignright" width="189"] Greg Myer is running for Plano ISD board of trustees Place 6.[/caption]

Why are you running for PISD board of trustees?

I am running for the Plano ISD board of trustees because I am a servant leader at heart. My sole mission is to serve and make the learning experience better for all of Plano ISD's students.

Why are you qualified for this position?

I have been a Plano ISD parent for most of the 16 years I have lived here, and will be the only parent from the central cluster when I am elected. I have an extensive record of community service that includes many years of service on Plano ISD’s Career and Technical Education Committee and as a Key Communicator. I served on the Plano Youth Leadership Board for six years and was selected as president; was a member of the PTA organizations of Saigling Elementary, Haggard Middle, Vines High and Plano Senior High schools; and served on the Collin County Parks Foundation board and the city’s library board, including one year as board chairman. I am a graduate of Leadership Plano Class XXIII, and served on that board for three years, including one year as finance chair. I have worked in the private sector for more than two decades, utilizing innovation to improve processes in dozens of businesses across many industries.

If elected, what will you focus on?

My focus on the Plano ISD School Board will be to:

• Increase opportunities for special needs students: I feel that by helping all students, including those with special needs, improve their life and job skills, we all benefit from a better-trained workforce which is less dependent on government services.
• Provide more programs for students who do not intend to attend a traditional four-year college: I know that jobs in electrical, carpentry, plumbing, welding and many other skilled trades provide for good careers and cannot be off-shored. We need more skilled workers in these areas.
• Raise the achievement of Plano’s lower socio-economic students by offering more pre-kindergarten programs, including foreign language classes, in order to provide them a stronger start to their learning careers.
• Utilize strong relationships with elected officials in Austin and Washington, D.C., to ensure the best interests of Plano ISD’s students, parents and community are represented in all education legislation coming from the Texas Legislature and the U.S. Congress.

To learn more about Myer's platform, visit his Facebook page.