CANDIDATE Q&A
Get to know candidates running in November’s midterm elections
2022 VOTER GUIDE
COMPILED BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON
Incumbent Candidates were asked to keep responses under 75 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
LEANDER ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PLACE 7
JOSEPH GORORDO
PAUL GAUTHIER
ELEXIS GRIMES
Occupation: CSS manager, Aperture Relevant experience: LISD board secretary, Long Range Facilities Committee chair, Safety and Security Committee member, Legislative Committee member; LISD nancial leadership 2017-18, Bond Steering Committee 2017 512-222-8260 | www.elexisgrimes.com
Occupation: theater teacher Relevant experience: parent, taxpayer, active school board meeting attendee
Occupation: behavioral health executive Relevant experience: raised by educators, two children in the district, nine-year Cedar Park resident, 13 years working in behavioral health, Little League coach 512-213-6307 | www.josephg4lisd.com
for last 18 months www.paul4lisd.org
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve noticed within Leander ISD, and how would you work to address them?
One of the district’s greatest challenges right now is stang. We need to ensure our teachers are taking home a wage that match- es the amount of work they pour into our classrooms while also ensuring that we are supporting them as a community.
Two-way meaningful communication between community mem- bers, board and administration. I would identify constructive ways to have conversations that are impactful and demonstrate that action can be taken by all three parties. Parental rights have not been honored by the board and administration. I would re-establish transparency and honesty in the relationship and put parents in control of their children’s education. Academic perfor- mance. I would remove unnecessary distractions so teachers and students can focus on learning.
Understanding school nance is critical at this point in our district. LISD faces many challenges as we enter recapture, including retaining the best teachers possible. I am committed to advocating at the state level for funding for education while decreasing the burden carried by homeowners’ property taxes. As chair of the Long Range Facilities Committee, I have worked to maximize underutilized campuses, reduce construction needs, while bringing forth choice for students.
Do you support the upcoming voter-approval tax rate election ballot item (Proposition B)? Why or why not?
I absolutely support the VATRE and will be voting yes on Prop B. The VATRE is necessary so that we can not only retain teachers, but also continue to be a district of choice for teachers seeking employment. In addition to being necessary, it also yields a net decrease in the amount of taxes collected from individual homeowners.
No. This VATRE item is a result of nancial mismanagement and is treating a symptom instead of nding the root cause of the overspending this administration has had for too many years. A full understanding of LISD spending needs to be accounted for before any additional tax increase is proposed. LISD needs to demonstrate scal responsibility.
Voting for Prop B (VATRE) will be a tax rate reduction of $0.0624 for homeowners but allows the district to move funds over to day-to-day operations, funding teacher raises and student resources. If Prop B fails, LISD will need to make close to $30 million cuts in 202324, which could close campuses or negative- ly impact academic programs, and LISD’s ability to recruit and retain the best and brightest educators.
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Camille Acosta VP, Commercial Banker P: (512) 259-1455 EXT 8602 cacosta@verabank.com 1695 S. Hwy 183 Leander, TX 78641
877-566-2621 | verabank.com | Member FDIC
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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
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