BY DUSTIN BUTLER & MICHAEL CROUCHLEY
Plano ISD board of trustees, Place 2
KEY : *Incumbent
What are the biggest issues facing Plano ISD? Declining enrollment and funding—along with Texas’s recapture scheme—create challenges for PISD to continue as a leader in Texas education while efficiently operating. A related issue is recruitment and retention of star educators who will help our students prepare for success in whatever their next steps are after graduation.
How do you plan on addressing these issues? I will work with the board and administration to dive into what comparable districts in Texas are doing to attract and retain great educators, and ensure our policies match best practices. I’ll advocate to increase the basic allotment and improve Texas’s current school financing system to best serve our students.
Sam Johnson Occupation & experience: entrepreneur and law firm owner; former Leadership Plano Board Chair; Plano Board of Adjustment www.samforplanoisd.com
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Xiomar Pierre Occupation & experience: Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Plano ISD board of trustees, Place 3
What are the biggest issues facing Plano ISD? The most pressing issue is funding to manage the substantial inflationary cost pressures since the last increase in 2019. Another issue is teacher recruitment and retention; we need funding to provide competitive salaries. Addressing the achievement gap in student outcomes and school safety are also paramount. One of the biggest issues Plano is facing is budget shortfalls. That’s something that is facing districts state-wide. An issue that is more unique to Plano is responsibility for things that require special resources (discipline, ESL, etc.) is being pushed to individual campuses that don’t have sufficient resources.
How do you plan on addressing these issues? Meet with local lawmakers to clarify our funding crisis, and I testify in Austin as needed. Continue quest for aspiring teachers and support Teacher Incentive Allotment program. Examine periodic MAP/STAAR data to identify greatest student needs to ensure PISD tracks progress, guaranteeing all students receive the support they need.
Nancy Humphrey* Occupation & experience: accountant/auditor, retired www.nancyhumphrey.org
It starts with open, honest and accountable communication. Giving the public the option to show up and talk for three minutes at board meetings once a month without any feedback simply isn’t enough. We need more avenues for families, faculty, PTAS, etc. to express shortfalls they see.
Harper Weaver Occupation & experience: data engineer (retired) http://harperforpisd.com
Plano ISD board of trustees, Place 6
Elisa Klein Occupation & experience: Chief Creative Officer at MKC Create www.elisaforplano.com
Dash Weerasinghe Occupation & experience: education consultant www.dashforplano.com
Andrew Rettke Occupation & experience: Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Enrollment trends; Changing demographics; Teacher retention and recruitment; Recapture What are the biggest issues facing Plano ISD?
The biggest issues facing Plano are falling student enrollment, retaining high quality teachers and principals, generating new funding streams to increase pay for our best teachers, and falling performance standards. Today we are a B-school district and we need to turn the direction of Plano ISD now.
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 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. For more election coverage and for full Q&As, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.
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PLANO SOUTH EDITION
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