CANDIDATE Q&A
Get to know the candidates running in the election
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. San Marcos CISD, Single Member District 1
San Marcos CISD, Single Member District 2
PHILIP MUZZY
JESSICA CAIN
MARGIE T. VILLALPANDO
Occupation: Owner and operator of Mochas & Javas Relevant experience: 35 years management; San Marcos Chamber of Commerce board 512-757-9444 www.votekevinplace2.com KEVIN CARSWELL
Occupation: Construction Relevant experience: M.Ed., former SMH special education teacher, coach; associ- ate principal; ESL & GT;
Occupation: pastor Relevant experience: parent of three SMCISD students; substitute teaching; Masters of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Seminary 512-766-6921 http://bit.ly/3mniSNK
Occupation: retired Relevant experi- ence: administrative assistant, Price Center,
San Marcos Hispan- ic Chamber; Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, founding member; Martindale city secretary; Hays County clerk
business owner and Army veteran 512-757-1606 • www.philmuzzy.com
What are your top three priorities if elected?
What are your top three priorities if elected?
Safer and more positive learning environ- ment in our secondary schools; increase academic achievement by closing learning gaps and increasing test scores; increase community engagement, across language barriers.
A. School safety—physical and mental—is of paramount concern. B. In SMCISD, 30% of residents live in poverty; my priority is continued support for students through food, supplies, well-funded extracurriculars, and other programs. C. As SMCISD grows, we must continue to provide a quality education to all students, as well as retain teachers.
1. Inform the voters of the importance our SMCISD bond. 2. Work with the school board to complete our Team of Eight training. 3. Encourage new board members to take advantage of the learning opportunities provided by the Texas School Board Association and the Mexican American School Board Association.
Back to the basics in education. Improve students’ skills in the following. English lan- guage, the STEAM elds, vocational studies, and accounting/ nance. Attract and retain quality teachers. Five-year vision/goal plan for growth in the district and revisit every ve years to update based o our historical data.
How should San Marcos CISD handle continued growth in the district?
How should San Marcos CISD handle continued growth in the district?
An e ective school board identi es both short-term and long-term student capacity needs, and plans accordingly. When growth benchmarks are met, plans are presented to the educational community, and if needed, bonds are voted on.
As stated above, the future of the district is one of my top priorities. The growth in this area is not slowing down, and so we must be future-thinking in all of the decisions that we make. This means ensuring that facilities, teachers, and sta are prepared for the increase in number of students.
The Bond Committee and the SMCISD board voted to have a bond election that addresses the expected growth for SMCISD.
First San Marcos will continue to grow. I believe adding another high school [would] allow for this growth. We have nine ele- mentary schools; two middle schools, and I believe we need another high school.
What would you do speci cally as a trustee to involve residents and business owners in decision-making processes?
What would you do speci cally as a trustee to involve residents and business owners in decision-making processes?
I would personally be proactive in asking for involvement; survey residents and business owners regarding current participation, and seek feedback on what we can do better; establish networks to link parents, businesses, and community leaders to the broader school community; and encourage teacher/student groups to engage with local businesses.
When the board is making important decisions, I plan to engage the community through block-walking, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings just like during this campaign. The board exists to serve the com- munity, which means that the people of this community should have a say in decisions.
The only time speci cally a trustee can in- volve residents and/or business owners in decision-making processes is when we have SMCISD committees for a speci c purpose. Each trustee is assigned a number of citizens they can appoint to the committee. The SMCISD president appoints the head of the committee.
Residents and business owners do have a say in the decision-making process, and that is through voting. As a resident or business owner look at the score card for our district and if happy with the results, then no change is needed. If you believe we need change then vote.
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