Leander Independent School District, Board of Trustees, Place 7
School Board Trustees are elected to represent residents of the school district. Together, the Board hires and evaluates the superintendent, adopts the budget, oversees district spending, sets the property tax rate, and sets policies for the district. The Board may also call bond or tax rate elections.
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Jason Embry
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Paul Gauthier
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Qualifications: What specific training and experience prepared you for this position?
Teachers: How would you attract, retain, and cultivate effective and highly-qualified teachers?
Facilities: How would you deal with the challenge of adjusting the number of facilities (whether by closures or by new construction) to match changing enrollment and financial constraints?
Students: What are your top priorities for improving student outcomes?
Budget: Given current financial shortfalls, what ideas do you have to balance the budget while protecting student learning?
I am a professional communicator specializing in state public policy. I've served on LISD district committees and have been a PTA officer at two schools. My kids have been LISD students for 10 years.
We must treat teachers as the professionals they are and listen to their input in all major decisions affecting their campus and LISD. Salaries and benefits should be competitive with, or better than, all nearby districts. Teachers need reasonable work loads that allow them to focus on teaching, rather than other responsibilities. Professional development should be relevant to their work.
We should be proactive about recruiting students who live in LISD to enroll in our schools because a larger enrollment will help save campuses and programs. Closing schools often does not achieve the cost savings that is promised, and we must consider the long-term impact of closed campuses on our community. I will always prioritize parent and community input in these decisions.
We need to reduce screen time during the school day. Technology should support learning, but too often it distracts from learning. We also need to give our best teachers incentive to work in schools that are struggling. However, we cannot focus solely on passing rates on state tests. All students must be challenged, including advanced learners who are ahead of their peers.
We need a balanced approach to a difficult budget situation caused by a shortage of state funding. The advent of AI should allow us to reduce administrative costs and make our district more efficient. We should make data-driven budget decisions that prioritize academics. Increasing student enrollment is the best way to bring more state dollars to our district so we can protect academic offerings.
I’m currently a Leander ISD Board member & am very aware of the issues the district is facing. Keeping ALL the Schools open they are in the Center of neighborhoods is paramount & Education for kids!
Give the Teachers the support they need without sacrificing the education of the Students. Last yr in a report from the LISD students. 84% of the hiring managers didn’t think High School graduates were ready for the workforce. The kids doing the report we’re speechless. I was saddened we did so poorly a report card doesn’t reflect that kind of failure & feedback! We have to do Better!!!!!!!!!
A School partially open school is BETTER than a closed School. As 20-30% of property values drop instantaneously in homes near the School & Crime skyrockets at the closed School, No one is around to tell the criminals to leave! & if the residents do?! Watch out! The Schools have to stay open in the neighborhood school Model! It is like the Sun! They cannot Close!
Going back to what works! There are a whole new approach to education that simply doesn’t work! We go back to what works & Do it over & Over again! The “New” ways are a Failure! Stop doing them!!
I was in a meeting this summer where they wanted to give a Company $250,000 to tell the public Why they might have to close schools! Here’s an Idea instead of Spending marketing dollars to convince people to close schools. Focus all your attention & resources to keeping them open! They are gaslighting you! & I’m praying to the Lord Almighty people WAKE UP to what I’ve been saying for yrs!
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