Hear from candidates for Round Rock ISD board of trustees, Place 3

What would your priorities be if elected?

My top priorities include increasing mental health and suicide prevention education for students and staff training, protecting diversity and inclusion programs, keeping Christian nationalism out of the classroom, improving student outcomes by focusing on learning and reducing reliance on standardized tests, and reforming student discipline to stop the school-to-prison pipeline.

What should readers know about you?

Endorsed by Access Education RRISD and the county’s Democratic Party, I was a student in the district, have worked in Congress and the State Legislature, and now work for an education policy organization. Will be the first South Asian Trustee and youngest person elected to public office in Texas history.

What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing Round Rock ISD at this time?

The disparities in our District are clear - Spicewood PTA’s budget is almost $200,000, whereas when I came into the CD Fulkes PTA, our’s was $1,000. Our reputation is being a wealthy district, but we have students who have beach houses and then students who sleep on the floor.

What would your priorities be if elected?

Listen to students, families and staff; connect their experiences with the district's data; set clear priorities; measure results; and hold ourselves accountable.

What should readers know about you?

I never expected to run for public office. I’m a mom next door who saw things that mattered to me and felt compelled to step up. I bring a parent’s perspective and professional experience in analytics, management and process improvement. I’m here because I want to serve my community.

What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing Round Rock ISD at this time?

The most pressing issue is financial sustainability and ensuring our resources are used effectively. The district faces difficult constraints. These circumstances make transparency and accountability even more important. We need to know what we're protecting, what we're changing, what results we expect, and whether our decisions are working.

What would your priorities be if elected?

1)Improving Student Outcomes- students must remain at the center of EVERY decision to improve academic successes and reach their highest potential. 2) Teacher and Staff Retention- put additional dollars in their paycheck while making RRISD a place where they feel valued every day and know their contributions matter.

What should readers know about you?

I have been a Board Officer for six years including three as Board President. I have lived in RRISD for 24 years, volunteered in our schools for 18 years and chaired five district-wide committees. Most importantly, I bring EXPERIENCE, institutional knowledge, and a willingness to listen and adapt.

What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing Round Rock ISD at this time?

Budget! I will ensure a balanced budget by increasing revenue and/or cutting expenses. Increasing revenue through student attendance rates, grant funding and increasing enrollment in PK, CTE and virtual school. For expenses, I will look for efficiencies within the various departments/programs, while protecting the classroom and teacher workloads.

What would your priorities be if elected?

Priority 1 education excellence, student and faculty satisfaction. Other priorities will be to help the district adapt to the budget changes. It’s important to keep the education staff reminded that they remain a critical part of the education problem, and that their salaries, and benefits will not be cut.

What should readers know about you?

I am a long time resident of Round Rock, I am a healthcare professional, a 23 year military veteran, and was an ER nurse at Brackenridge Hospital. I was an Adjunct Clinical Nursing Professor at Concordia and ACC, and in 2013 became a Family Nurse Practitioner.

What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing Round Rock ISD at this time?

Growth of a school district that spends outside of its budget, while aware that the budget will be reduced by the elimination of property taxes. Keep in mind that eliminating the property tax will likely result in a population growth beyond what would have been expected, is also an issue.