Keller ISD Board of Trustees, Place 4
Trustees are elected to specific positions but represent their entire independent school district and have the following responsibilities mandated by State and Federal laws: select and employ the superintendent, manage public schools, establish operating policies, monitor expenses, adopt and approve a budget, and adopt employment policies. Additionally, they have the authority to set tax rates, levy and collect taxes, buy and sell property, exercise eminent domain, accept donations, charge fees, and call bond elections. Trustees elect their own officers: President or Chair, (Vice president or vice chair), Secretary and Treasurer.
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Rachel Weatherington
(N)
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Geramie Parrish
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Background: How does your background qualify you for this office?
Campus Presence: What is your position regarding ICE and Border Patrol agents having a presence on school campuses?
Public Input: How would you ensure adequate, timely and comprehensive public input and transparency at School Board meetings?
Addressing Concerns: What policies, procedures and guidelines would you support to address individual concerns about books and materials in schools?
Critical Issues: What are the most critical issues facing your school district, and how will you address them?
Campaign Phone
469-263-2238
Occupation
Teacher
Education has been my career, and advocacy a huge part of my life. I have been teaching for 15 years, PreK-12th grade, and most recently in Keller ISD. I have worked at ERES, PGES, Florence ES, and ISMS. I am a CASA for Tarrant County youth in foster care. I volunteer with a statewide disability non-profit and have been to DC to advocate for students with disabilities.
I haven’t just been a bystander all these years: I have a first-hand understanding of what policies look like in our classrooms right here in Keller ISD. I understand needs and development across a student’s entire academic career. I know the challenges we face as a district, and the ones our teachers and staff face on the ground. I am aware of what actually keeps high-quality teachers and staff in our district. I have a demonstrated commitment to all children, including vulnerable populations.
Our job as public school teachers, and as a district, is to educate and love each child who comes into our buildings, regardless of circumstances. Research shows that children who feel threatened or scared cannot be educated.
I worked as an elementary English as a Second Language Specialist for Keller ISD for the last three years. Whatever important conversations are happening around border security in our country, we should leave kids out of it so we can teach and they can learn.
To ensure transparent and meaningful engagement, I would support expanding the public comment sign up window, allowing community members extra time to register their plan for feedback. I would like Board Agendas to be more comprehensive and detailed, with supporting documents and clear context on action items. I would be interested in establishing a process to respond to public questions and comments residents bring to the mic.
Students deserve access to a variety of appropriate books. Policy states “no [book] shall be removed…because of the ideas expressed.” Parents may prohibit their child from borrowing certain books, and receive notice once a book is checked out from a KISD library.
I generally support the challenge process where the stakeholder files a review request and a committee makes a final determination. I would change the current policy which prevents removed books from being reconsidered for 10 years.
The most critical issue in our district is finances. Right now, we are unable to stay competitive with surrounding districts. We have serious infrastructure needs, staff that have lost their jobs or left for better ones, and great programs that have been drastically reduced or eliminated. We need to invest in our students; we have to pass the bond. I pledge to direct as many dollars as possible toward reinvesting in these critical resources so that we can be a Destination District once again.
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