Texarkana Arkansas School District does an excellent job at valuing students and caring for their needs. District wide, teachers spend personal time and resources to provide food, hygiene items, and clothing to students in need. In addition, Arkansas High School has a food pantry and campuses across the district have Care Closets that help meet the needs of our children and their families. Schools are also focusing on increasing attendance and are working with families to help solve problems related to absences. When reelected as board member, I plan to ensure these programs, as well as summer feeding initiatives and other similar programs, continue to be funded and prioritized because at TASD we know it takes a village to raise a child.
The most important thing TASD needs to improve is academics. With several schools across the district at a D and F status under the new rating scale, it is imperative that we provide individualized education that meets each child exactly at their point of need. I also feel we have to do more work in the area of parental involvement because a child's education starts at home. My goal as board member is to ensure wise spending on programs, resources, and professional development that helps teachers gain the knowledge required to provide high quality instruction while also learning the best ways to engage children in today's society. I also plan to ensure we place a high priority on improving parental resources and community outreach events.
One thing our school district does very well is creating a sense of stability and routine for students. For a lot of kids, school is the most consistent and structured part of their day, and that matters more than people realize. Predictable schedules, familiar expectations, and dependable adults help students feel safe and ready to learn.
I plan to support that by pushing for consistent leadership, clear policies, and fewer reactionary changes that disrupt classrooms.
The most important thing our school district needs to improve is listening to teachers and actually acting on their input. Too often, educators share concerns about classroom safety, workload, student behavior, or resources, but those concerns don’t lead to meaningful change. That disconnect hurts morale and ultimately impacts students.
I plan to change that by being accessible, asking direct questions, and holding leadership accountable for follow through. I will push for regular, structured opportunities for teachers to provide feedback
