Friday, May. 02, 2008

GCISD School Board Elections

Click here to see our coverage of the Grapevine City Council Elections.

Editor’s Note: The Courier sent Grapevine-Colleyville School District candidates five questions pertaining to local issues. Each answer was limited to no more than a 50-word reply. The candidates are listed in the order in which they appear on the ballot.

Place 6

Leon Leal, 43, and his wife Tracy, own a professional employment staffing company. Leal is active in community. He and his wife have three sons who attend GCISD schools.

Q: Are you satisfied with the district’s academic performance?

A: Our overall performance has been good. As a home and business owner I understand the impact our district’s academic performance has on our home values and understand how they affect our community’s economy. I hope to join our committed GCISD district and provide the support to improve our academic performance.

Q: As Robin Hood — the state financing system by which wealthy school districts in Texas to subsidize poorer districts — again increases payments required by GCISD, what steps will you take to ensure that the district continues to be able to meet the needs of its students and staff?

A: Our district has to be fiscally responsible. As a business owner I understand the importance of maintaining and operating from a budget. We are fortunate to have supportive parents and a community that gives. We have to recognize and support programs like Education Foundation, PTA, Dad’s Clubs and Booster programs.

Q: Two elementary schools in GCISD now have predominantly minority and low-income student populations. Some parents and educators have expressed concerns that the schools’ academic performance could slip noticeably if district resources diminish. What would you do to reassure parents and staff regarding this question?

A: We have seen demographical changes in our schools. We have to prepare our teachers and staff and provide them the support to deal with the changes. We need to understand these potential changes can impact our property values and local businesses. I am committed to our academic performance.

Q: Do you think the city and the school district could coordinate better on some issues and projects?

A: I currently sit on Grapevine’s Parks and Recreation board. I have worked with the City and GCISD on several projects. The cities and GCISD are committed to our communities and youth. When we founded Grapevine youth wrestling, the City of Grapevine and GCISD worked together in forming our successful program.

Q: All current GCISD trustees are Colleyville residents. Do you think this matters?

A: I would like to see a better balance on the Board of Trustees. I have been a Grapevine resident for the past 17 years. I hope to be a voice for our parents and support our entire community.

Vince Rosen, 55, served one term on the board of trustees and is seeking re-election to Place 6. Employed for 28 years in the technology industry, Rosen now focuses on volunteer work. He and his wife Debbie have two children.

Question: Are you satisfied with the district’s academic performance?

Answer: SAT/ACT scores are higher than both the state and national averages; our graduation rate is 95 percent higher than state and national averages. We continue to focus on our TAKS scores to improve our ratings, and ultimately end-of-course tests to help our students achieve improved results based on current year curriculum.

Q: As Robin Hood — the state financing system by which wealthy school districts in Texas to subsidize poorer districts — again increases payments required by GCISD, what steps will you take to ensure that the district continues to be able to meet the needs of its students and staff?

A: Fiscal responsibility is essential. We will continue to wisely use our current tax dollars to provide outstanding education opportunities, attract highly qualified educators, and promote programs that ensure our academic standards are never compromised.

Q: Two elementary schools in GCISD now have predominantly minority and low-income student populations. Some parents and educators have expressed concerns that the schools’ academic performance could slip noticeably if district resources diminish. What would you do to reassure parents and staff regarding this question?

A: Numbers talk! The recent TAKS results for Timberline indicate the success of our direct focus to improve scores in all schools. We are going to continue to support new ideas and practices that drive measurable results; cutting other areas if necessary to ensure academic excellence is our number one priority.

Q: Do you think the city and the school district could coordinate better on some issues and projects?

A: It is essential to maintain good communication and cooperation between the School District and City Officials; we work hand and hand and value this relationship, encouraging annual meetings for the sole purpose of fostering common goals and communication.

Q: All current GCISD trustees are Colleyville residents. Do you think this matters?

A: Colleyville addresses do not determine school boundaries; the current board members are evenly divided with school age children in both Colleyville and Grapevine schools. GCISD takes pride in its ability to fairly and impartially support both Grapevine and Colleyville residents, and has a proven track record in that regard.

Place 7

Mia J. Green, 43, is the director of a Colleyville-based nonprofit organization . She and her husband Perry, have four sons who attend elementary, middle and high schools in GCISD.

Q: Are you satisfied with the district’s academic performance?

A: GCISD’s academic performance of "Acceptable" is not a complete picture of all of the significant gains that the district has made. That being said, there is room for improvement. Impact will be felt in our performance when we close gaps of low income and minority children in our district.

Q: As Robin Hood — the state financing system by which wealthy school districts in Texas to subsidize poorer districts — again increases payments required by GCISD, what steps will you take to ensure that the district continues to be able to meet the needs of its students and staff?

A: In the short term I believe that the GCISD Board must work together to eliminate all spending that does not directly impact student performance. In the long term I would encourage advocacy on a state level to ensure that we can meet the needs of our students and staff.

Q: Two elementary schools in GCISD now have predominantly minority and low-income student populations. Some parents and educators have expressed concerns that the schools’ academic performance could slip noticeably if district resources diminish. What would you do to reassure parents and staff regarding this question?

A: The greatest untapped potential outside of curriculum and staff is our parents. Our parents are a commodity, especially in schools with predominantly minority and low income students. I would recommend research based models like those from the state of Kentucky that utilize parents as school resources to increase academic performance.

Q: Do you think the city and the school district could coordinate better on some issues and projects?

A: The quality of the GCISD school system is why many people are drawn to our cities. With this in mind, the city and the school district should coordinate issues by making school quality one of its highest priorities.

Q: All current GCISD trustees are Colleyville residents. Do you think this matters?

A: As a new Board member I want to ensure that every resident of the Grapevine Colleyville school district trusts that our Board operates in the highest interest of children regardless of where they reside. I want to be known as a "voice for all children," whether in Grapevine or Colleyville.

Jorge Rodriguez, 37, has worked in the telecommunications industry for 14 years. He is active in school and community organizations. He and his wife Jill have two children.

Q: Are you satisfied with the district’s academic performance?

A: The district has a dedicated staff that is moving the educational system in the right direction. However, by surveying, obtaining feedback and better connecting with the community, there are opportunities to identify gaps not being addressed, in the same way any service industry strives for continual improvement and success.

Q: As Robin Hood — the state financing system by which wealthy school districts in Texas to subsidize poorer districts — again increases payments required by GCISD, what steps will you take to ensure that the district continues to be able to meet the needs of its students and staff?

A: Connecting with the community and responding to the community as its customer, the district can reach untapped volunteer resources in the community, both parents and nonparents. Linking these volunteer resources to critical gaps in the district ensures that the district meets the needs of students and staff under fiscal constraints.

Q: Two elementary schools in GCISD now have predominantly minority and low-income student populations. Some parents and educators have expressed concerns that the schools’ academic performance could slip noticeably if district resources diminish. What would you do to reassure parents and staff regarding this question?

A: We need to better reach and involve the parents and community members of the minority and low-income students at these schools. Besides the important contribution that this involvement will have, it also sends an uplifting message and gets the direct buy-in of these children that their educational success is important.

Q: Do you think the city and the school district could coordinate better on some issues and projects?

A: The success of the city and the GCISD are interconnected. A successful school district increases the desirability for new homeowners and businesses, which increases home values and promotes job growth. Likewise, the city has untapped resources and a treasure-trove of giving people to help the school district meet its needs.

Q: All current GCISD trustees are Colleyville residents. Do you think this matters?

A: The best way to serve a community is for its leadership to reflect its community. Grapevine and Colleyville are different communities with a common goal to serve all kids. However, a Grapevine resident is a better barometer for Grapevine’s needs and can better reach and connect with Grapevine’s citizens.