CANDIDATE Q&A
Get to know the candidates running in the election for seats on the Frisco ISD board of trustees
Incumbent
Place 1 for Frisco ISD
Place 2 for Frisco ISD
Occupation: Laboratory biologist Relevant experience: 12 years in biology; eight years in PTA, with four as an o cer www.angela4friscoisd.com angela4 sd@gmail.com ANGELA DUNFORD
Occupation: Senior manager Relevant experience: Over 20 years in IT industry www.gopalfor sd.com gopalfor sd@gmail.com GOPAL PONANGI
Occupation: Frisco ISD trustee/mom Relevant experience: State-certi ed and former teacher, current FISD trustee www.natalie4friscoisd.com natalie sd@gmail.com NATALIE HEBERT
Occupation: President at Corcam Solutions Relevant experience: Work with IT startups and advertising www.kelly4frisco.com kelly4frisco@gmail.com KELLY KARTHIK
Why are you running for o ce?
I’m running because I’m passionate about creating a school environment where kids can really thrive, not just academically, but also in terms of mental health, social devel- opment and overall happiness. I feel I would bring a much-needed, fresh perspective to our current board as the only board member with children still in elementary school and one in middle school.
Apart from serving the Frisco ISD community [on] the board of [trustees] for the past three years, I have been serving the community in the areas related to education. Five years ago, I founded [the] Shubham Foundation, a nonpro t organization that has been pro- viding scholarships to FISD seniors. Prior to becoming a trustee, I was a member of FISD’s long-range planning committee.
My reason for running is student success. The Texas Constitution states that we will provide all children a free and equitable pub- lic education. FISD is a destination district because our No. 1 priority is student success. The pandemic did not change that. Instead— to name a few of FISD’s accomplishments— we added programs, opened high school No. 11 and increased pay.
My primary concern is to ensure that the doors of communication remain open by acting as your liaison to bridge the gap between families and FISD. Recently, FISD changed their policy, which now disallows nonagenda items to be discussed during the public comments section of school board meetings. A community input night is not the same as a school board meeting. One area we need to re-examine is our current technology program. Beginning technology classes at the junior high level are missing the mark when we [note] today’s competitive world. First graders already know how to access the internet and interact with technology. Every career your child will pursue will require a strong understanding of technology.
What are the biggest challenges facing Frisco ISD? How do you plan to address these issues?
One of the biggest issues facing FISD is distrust within the community. This can be improved by increasing transparency, restoring time for public comments at board meetings, validating parent concerns, and accepting criticism and admitting wrong-do- ing when needed. Another big issue is teacher burnout. We’re losing a much higher number of skilled teachers.
Learning gaps and the mental health of students due to COVID 19 are our biggest challenges. This is being addressed by pro- viding additional support and resources to students in need. Another issue continues to be the management of ongoing district growth. A history of strong academics and ever-expanding opportunities for students are driving the growth.
Bad policies created during multiple presidential administrations have taken the trust and respect away from public schools. After two decades of disruption created by politics, educators are exhausted. We are los- ing teachers to other careers or retirement faster than colleges are graduating education majors. I plan to continue advocating for incentives for students to go into teaching.
If elected, what would be your top priorities?
1. Listen to parents—parents know their child’s needs best. 2. Listen to teach- ers—they’re our district’s greatest asset. 3. Achieve better balance—we need a balanced approach to screen time, breaks and assess- ments. 4. Cultivate academic excellence—we should teach accountability and provide the right-level challenge for each student.
Apart from addressing COVID 19-related learning gaps and district growth, my top priorities include expansion of student opportunities and programming; scal responsibility; ensuring prudent handling of district nances with no major increased impact to taxpayers; and strengthening programs for entrepreneurial skills.
1. Student success is always No. 1. 2. Culti- vating a culture that is attractive to keeping educators in education. 3. Evolving our Community-Based Accountability System. 4. Increasing opportunities and pay for our special education paraprofessionals.
We need our teachers. Work hours, pay, vacation time, additional aids/interns, support sta and job satisfaction are all topics that need our immediate attention … [and] expansion of the current technology program [to address] the need for daily instruction.
Answers may have been edited for length, style and clarity. Read full Q&As at communityimpact.com .
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