LWV Denton Voter’s Guide 1

League of Women Voters of Denton

VOTERS GUIDE

This Voters Guide is funded and published by

the League of Women Voters of the Denton. For more than 90 years, helping voters cast an informed vote when they go to the polls has been the primary goal of the League of Women Voters. As a nonpartisan organization that en-courages informed and active participation in government, the League believes that all of us are stakeholders in making democracy work. Neither the League nor the Education Fund sup-ports or opposes any political party or candi-date.

EARLY VOTING, April 23-May 1 by personal appearance will be available at the following locations and times for Denton:

Denton County Elections Administration, 701 Kimberly Drive

Monday-Saturday April 23-28 8am-5pm

Monday-Tuesday April 30-May 1 7am-7pm

For Early Voting by personal appearance throughout Denton County, contact the Denton County Elections Administra-

tion Office at 940.340.3200 or https://www.votedenton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/0518-Early-Voting-Sites-

Final.pdf.

POLLING PLACES on May 5th, Election Day, are by precinct.

For your precinct and/or polling place location, contact the Denton County Elections Office at 940.340.3200 or https://

www.votedenton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/0518-ED-Locations7.pdf.

INSIDE THIS GUIDE

Denton City Council………….….…………………………………………………………..……..3

Denton ISD School Board Trustees…………………………….……………………………..5

LWV Denton Voter’s Guide 2

YOU MAY BRING THIS

VOTERS GUIDE INTO

THE VOTING BOOTH!

In 1995, the Texas law prohibiting use of printed materials, such as this Voters Guide, in the polling place was ruled unconstitutional (Texas Election Code, Section 61.011).

WHAT TO TAKE TO THE POLLS

You must present one of the following

forms of photo ID when voting in per-

son:

Texas drivers license issued by the

Texas Department of Public Safety

(DPS)

Texas Election Identification Cer-

tificate issued by DPS

Texas personal identification card

issued by DPS

Texas concealed handgun license

issued by DPS

United States military identifica-

tion card containing your photo-

graph

United States citizenship certificate

containing your photograph

United States passport

With the exception of the U.S. citizen-

ship certificate, the identification must

be current or have expired no more

than 60 days before being presented

for voter qualification at the polling

place.

For more information:

http://www.votedenton.com/wp-content/

uploads/2013/08/Photo-ID-Informational-

Document.pdf

ABOUT THIS VOTERS GUIDE

This printed Voters Guide lists candidates in contested races who are on the March 6, 2018, Primary Election ballot and provides their an-swers to questions posed by The League of Wom-en Voters of Texas and The League of Women Voters of Denton.

Additional information can be accessed online at www.VOTE411.org including an online Voters Guide with candidate videos, races not included in this Voters Guide, and an “On Your Ballot” feature allowing voters to enter an address and review races and ballot initiatives specific to that address.

This Voters Guide lists candidates for national, as well as statewide, regional, and local races in Texas, including U.S. Senator, Railroad Commis-sioner, Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, Courts of Appeals, and the State Board of Educa-tion. Only candidates in political parties that select their candidates in the Primary Election are included, currently Democratic and Republican parties.

Candidates in other parties are selected by convention.

Questionnaires were sent to candidates in races that are contested within the same party. Candidate replies are printed without editing or verification. Due to space restrictions, candidates were given strict word limits. Replies exceeding the word limit are indicated by slashes (///). Can-didates were also asked to avoid references to their opponents. Candidates appearing with no photo failed to submit one. This Voters Guide is organized by office. Ballot

order may vary from county to county. The

names of unopposed candidates are also listed.

Primary Runoff Election

May 22, 2018

EARLY VOTING Monday – Friday May 14 - 18 7am – 7pm

LWV Denton Voter’s Guide 3

The City of Denton is governed by a mayor and six city council members. The Mayor and two council members are elected at-large, and four council members are elected from single districts. Terms are two years in length and each of the seven members of the council can serve up to a maximum of

three consecutive terms.

DENTON CITY COUNCIL

Jodi Vicars-Nance

Education: Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation

Studies, UNT (1999); Bachelor of Social Work,

UNT (2000); Master of Science in Social Work, UT

-Arlington (2004).

Experience: Child Care Licensing Specialist, 2001

-2006; Admissions/Placement Coordinator, Den-

ton State Supported Living Center, 2008-present.

1) I actually believe that there is a good deal of transparency in our City

government. If I had to suggest improvements it would be to increase the

search functionality on the city website to more easily locate information;

remove as many items from closed sessions as possible; and hold work

sessions later in the day if there is a “hot topic” so more working profes-

sionals can attend. The public can only be informed and involved if they

are able to obtain the information that is important to them.

2) Homelessness continues to be a concern in our community, and

initiatives are being taken to try and provide solutions although there‘s a

long way to go. An increased need for shelter beds with 7 day availability

continues, but shelter beds are a temporary solution. Permanent and

affordable housing provides a more long-term solution, but services to

help people stay in their home is needed such as case management, job

training, child-care, money management, and other supports that will help

increase success. The current partnerships with the United Way and other

nonprofits are a step in the right direction.

3) Affordable housing continues to be a concern as home prices rise

and rents increase. People who want to live in Denton should be able to

find a place that they can afford. I would encourage our City to look into

ways to encourage new affordable housing to come to Denton. Tax incen-

tives are a possibility, but only if the development is truly going to provide

housing that families and individuals can afford. The development also

needs to have solid plans in place for how they are going to provide the

promised programs such as tutoring, training, afterschool care, etc.

Deb Armintor

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Brandeis University, 1995; Master of Arts,

Rice University, 1999; and Doctor of Philosophy, Rice University, 2002.

Experience: Associate Professor of English, University of North Texas,

2002-present; member, Denton Public Utilities Board, 2017-present.

1) Informed Denton voters know me as the ONLY Place 5 candidate making headlines and getting POSITIVE RESULTS for my transparency advocacy. See “Denton Dammit: Score one for government transparen-cy,” DRC, 9/28/17; and “Contracting Scandal,” DRC, 6/30/17. If elected, I will (1) call for a new transparency policy prohibiting the use of secret code names like “Project Cartoon” (a.k.a. the Buc-ee’s incentives) and prohibiting the city from withholding crucial information from con-tracts; (2) approve closed meetings only when NECESSARY, not simply when POSSIBLE; (3) communicate regularly, honestly, and publicly with constituents via social media, town halls, & the free press.

Continued on next page

QUESTIONS FOR DENTON CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Education (Limit: 25 words)

Experience (Limit: 50 words)

1) In view of the concerns about open government, what specific measures would you take to ensure that the public can easily access information about government decisions and actions? (Limit: 100 words)

2) What steps would you take to see that the plan outlined by the Den-ton Citizen Homeless Task Force is implemented allowing for greater support to the Denton homeless community as well as the develop-ment of affordable housing options? (Limit: 100 words)

3) How would you work with the Denton Planning Commission to in-crease opportunities for affordable housing? (Limit: 100 words)

DENTON CITY COUNCIL, PLACE 5

Aaron “Fuzzy” Newquist

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Multidisciplinary Universi-

ty of North Texas. Texas Tech Rawls College of Business

School of Banking. SW Graduate School of Banking.

Experience: Experienced with budgets while acting in

managerial roles for multiple bank branches, allocating

funds for United Way, and serving as Treasurer of

Denton Community Health Clinic. I am also proud to be a small business

owner, Leadership Denton Program Chair and Graduate, and mentor to

University of North Texas students.

1) Ultimately our city government should be transparent and accounta-ble to our community members. On a city-wide level, developing an open line of communication and flow of information is going to be key. Commu-nity members should be able to easily access information about city ser-vices, projects and plans. On a personal level, I plan to be available to any and all community members who might have questions or suggestions about ongoing city issues. 2) I am encouraged by the Monsignor King Center. The ultimate call to action in the report is to obtain funding and to facilitate collaboration in order to reach the Task Force’s goals. As a past Treasurer of the Denton Community Health Clinic as well as fundraiser and Allocations Committee member for the United Way, my experience is uniquely suited to making gains in those two specific areas. I would leverage those skills along with the relationships I’ve forged with leaders like Pat Smith of Serve Denton and my real estate network to collaborate on making affordable housing options a reality. 3) I am fortunate to have relationships with individuals who are inter-ested in bringing more affordable housing to Denton. I am looking forward to facilitating more open dialogue between them and the city to make things happen. All stakeholders working together, I believe it is possible to bring about more affordable housing options that consist of both existing and new construction properties.

LWV Denton Voter’s Guide 4

DENTON CITY COUNCIL, PLACE 5

Continued from previous page

2) Combining my answers to #2 & 3: First, my familiarity with homeless-

ness and affordable housing comes from my extensive experience: as a

regular participant in the Homeless Leadership Team’s Point In Time Count,

as a frequent participant in the weekly feedings of homeless individuals on

Sundays at Quakertown Park, as a homeowner who opens up my house to

strangers less fortunate; and as a board member of a local citizens’ group

advocating for a Basic Services Center to give our homeless a place to rest

and keep their stuff during the day when our shelters are closed and beds

full.

3) On Council, I’d work with Planning & communities to eliminate un-

wanted zoning obstacles, and with CM and Council to carve out more city

funding to resolve our homeless and affordable housing problems. Current-

ly, we are overdependent on uncertain federal grants with long waiting

periods, endless paperwork, and cumbersome strings attached. Eliminating

unnecessary bureaucracy and practicing smarter budgeting means better

government, better Q.O.L., better R.O.I., and better & faster results. We’re

already paying for homelessness and our affordable housing shortage via

hundreds of thousands in police and emergency medical. I’ll spend less to

solve the problem without raising taxes at all.

Bernard J. Vokoun

No response (no contact information available)

DENTON CITY COUNCIL, PLACE 6

Bryan Menelas

No response

Paul Meltzer

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Wesleyan University. Master of Business Administration in Gen-eral Management, Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College.

Experience: Senior VP, Product Management, Insight

(Time-Warner Cable), 2006-2012. Director, then VP,

Broadband, Cablevision, 1997-2006. New product positions at divisions of

Campbell Soup, General Mills, 1989-1997. Board VP, Thin Line. Chair, Oak

Gateway Committee. Vice-Chair, Downtown TIF Board. Volunteering: Unit-

ed Way, Salvation Army, Red Cross.

1) The city website is quite good. But the Texas Open Meetings Act also provides for an electronic bullet board accessible by the public where eve-ryone can see communications between council and staff. I support Denton adopting that. I also support attaching council members’ voting records to their online profiles and being generally searchable. Personally, I will be reachable 24/7 to do my best to field citizen questions. I will also hold regu-lar town hall style meetings at locations throughout Denton neighbor-hoods, with invited city staff to speak to areas of particular concern.

2) The task force called for more funding, another facility, and coordina-tion. All good, and now we have sizing. We know we’re dealing with about 659 individuals, half employed, only 22 percent with even emergency shelter beds, never mind transitional and affordable housing. I support basic services centers with sanitary facilities, storage and resting spaces on bus lines but away from established neighborhoods and retail areas. We need countywide gain-sharing agreements with the jail and emergency rooms as we reduce their burdens. And we need more housing in areas where density makes sense, with a percentage set aside as affordable.

3) I favor vibrant, diverse urban areas rather than ghettoized affordable housing. So increasing opportunities for housing generally also increases opportunities for affordable housing. The challenge is to target density where it’s compatible and doesn’t diminish other unique aspects of Den-ton. I‘m for rezoning Cement City into multistory urban with first floor retail and green space—call it University City—with a percentage of units set aside as affordable housing. I also favor projects to take the areas just north and south of the square out of the flood plain to allow more walka-ble retail, offices, and housing downtown.

Frank Dudowicz

Education: Northern Illinois University: BS in Business Management; MBA in Finance and Market Research. Experience: Small-business owner; four Kwik Kar loca-

tions. Have built commercial projects in Denton. Ser-

vice on City of Denton Planning & Zoning Commission

(site plan review; zoning, variance requests; special

use permits, etc.). Member, for-profit and non-profit boards of directors.

Prior, senior corporate executive with Scott Paper, Campbell's Soup and

Quaker State.

1) I would make the City website a more comprehensive resource.

Would advocate for (1) restoring the link to live City Council and P&Z

meetings to the City website's front page, (2) making major revisions to the

site's search-engine metrics to make information easier to find. (3) expand-

ing the scope of available information, (4) adding capability for chronologi-

cal sorting and ability to research, by name, each council member's votes,

(5) revising internal processes to accelerate postings, (6) extending dura-

tion archived information is available, (7) making Council backup available

concurrent with agendas, and (8) posting minutes of all Boards and Com-

missions.

2) The problem is not just local; will seek to strengthen existing re-sources and create new partnerships county-wide with those who provide support/services to homeless and near-homeless. Will support programs within United Way that centralize organizations' access to available hous-ing. Will support programs that reduce barriers to homeless as they search for affordable housing. I have already pledged to spearhead a network of businesses willing to provide jobs to those in supervised rehab, veteran/family court programs to help keep at-risk individuals from becoming homeless; have 15 years experience working with these programs. 3) Decisions are made at Council level, not Planning & Zoning, which makes recommendations. First, I will advocate for enhancement and pro-tection, not redevelopment, of existing MF and SF housing serving low-income residents (Cement City, etc.). I will work with housing owners and city staff to create/provide additional incentives for rental owners and developers to make more affordable units available to those in need.

Continued on the next page

LWV Denton Voter’s Guide 5

DENTON CITY COUNCIL, PLACE 7 (Mayor)

Chris Watts

Education: B.S. Computer Science 1984. M.ED Coun-seling and Student Services 1992. J.D. Texas Wesley-an School of Law 2000. Experience: Started my real estate business about 30

years ago. Actively law practiced from 2001-2007.

Current coach for Texas A&M School of Law negotia-

tion team for ABA student Division. Served as Councilmember District 4

2007-20013. Elected Mayor of Denton 2014 to present.

1) Currently, City Council meetings are audio/video recorded. The

public can view the meetings via cityofdenton.com. Additionally, the Coun-

cil just amended rules and procedures that will indicate how each Coun-

cilmember voted on each item. The backup is available via the website as

well. I would propose to append to the backup of each agenda item the

final executed ordinance.

2) We have completed several recommendations. (1) Hiring homeless-

ness coordinate in partnership with United Way of Denton County. (2)

Increase the number of shelter beds to 90 for three days a week and incli-

mate weather. I would propose partnering with United Way to hire a

housing navigator whose primary duty would be to locate housing thus

freeing up more case management services. The Navigator would solicit

private housing owners to provide additional units. The private owners

would be incentivized by the Denton County Homeless Coalition Barrier’s

Fund, a fund to mitigate risk to private property owners.

3) The Denton Planning and Zoning Commission provides recommenda-

tions to the City Council regarding issues related to rezoning and land use

planning. The lack of affordable housing is primarily due to market condi-

tions. Due to the high growth in our city and region, demand for housing is

driving up the cost of acquisition and construction costs there by increas-

ing rents and purchase prices. The city can examine opportunities to in-

centivize developers to provide a certain mix of affordable housing units

when developing large multifamily communities.

Neil L. Durrance

1) First and foremost, follow the law. The present incumbent and city

staff have developed a procedural maze in order to defeat requests for

information by citizens, refusing to produce information even after a

written opinion from the Texas Attorney General, a clear violation of the

law. Second, we must change the culture at City Hall to remove the haze

from our city due to closed meetings and backroom deals. This requires

strong leadership, which is not afraid to talk to the people whether the

news is good or bad. Third, pass a strong ethics ordinance, with teeth,

which would solve///

2) This is a question which requires a few thousand words of response

rather than 100 words. Addressing the issue of homelessness in our com-

munity is more than just rent subsidies. We must address the problems

which have created the homeless in our community. To begin, I would

centralizatize services that address the root causes of homelessness of

mental illness and addiction, employment skills, food, which could be

provided from multiple sources in the private sector, and child care for the

homeless who are employed or could be employed but for child care.

3) See answer above to question 2. Housing like many other aspects of

our community is a function of planning with the intent to create a livable

community which is attractive and open to all levels of housing and the

economy. Housing must be balanced and based on the present and antici-

pated demographics. In addition, our city must directly develop what are

called "nodes" in community planning which provide for multiple levels of

affordable housing to meet the needs of people who are not only present-

ly here but will come as our city continues to grow.

The Denton Independent board of trustees consists of seven members elected by district to three-year terms. To qualify for the election, candidates for the board of trustees had to be at least 18 years old, U.S. citizens, residents of the school district, and registered voters. They could not be convicted of a felony.

DENTON ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES

QUESTIONS FOR DISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES CANDI-

DATES

Education (Limit: 25 words)

Experience (Limit: 50 words)

1) What is the most important mechanism for on-going communication between citizens and school board members other than appearances at school board meetings? (100 word limit)

2) If DISD expenditures must be reduced, where would you make cuts to have the least impact on the classroom; administrators; class size; or programs, such as sports, fine arts, technical education, or others? (100 word limit)

3) Please describe your position on school vouchers or education savings

accounts. (100 word limit)

DENTON ISD TRUSTEE, PLACE 1

Barbara Burns

Education: I have a B.A., an M.A., and a social studies certification from Texas Woman’s University. I earned a master trustee designation. Experience: I have advocated for children as a parent,

teacher, and community leader. I have been vice-

president of the board and served two years as presi-

dent. I participate in events throughout the district and go to regional,

state, and national conferences to stay abreast of issues.

1) The most effective mechanism for communication is personal con-tact. Initial contact can be made through an email, phone call, or social media, but I frequently meet parents to visit. Board members also attend functions throughout the district by being visible in organizations and at school and community events. I want to be accessible to citizens because their concerns play a vital part in a trustee’s decision-making process. The board of trustees is a governing body that flourishes when many points of view are synthesized in efforts to do what is best for all of our children.

Continued on the next page

LWV Denton Voter’s Guide 6

DENTON ISD TRUSTEE, PLACE 1

Continued from previous page

2) State funding has decreased by $2.68 billion over the last two years. As property taxes rise, the percentage of funding by the state decreases. Denton now receives less than 35% of its funding from the state. If cuts have to be made, I would trim but not eliminate programs. DISD uses inno-vative approaches to reduce energy costs. It uses bio-diesel fuel for many buses. It builds schools with the latest green features. Keeping all pro-grams—whether Reading Recovery, orchestra, or basketball—is vital be-cause all of them offer developmental opportunities for students.

3) I adamantly oppose any type of voucher that takes money away from public schools. Vouchers result in a two-tiered system that holds students in public and private schools to different standards. As mandated by the Texas Constitution, legislators should direct efforts to improve public schools. True equity means the ability for every child to attend a good school in the neighborhood. Teachers and students don’t fail; our state fails to understand that many children from low socio-economic backgrounds start out behind. Educated children thrive and, in turn, support a robust economy in our democracy.

Bradley Fritcher

No response

Alfredo Sanchez

Education: Bachelor of Science Degree: Major, Wildlife Management: minor, Zoology and Botany: Military Ser-vice: Combat Engineer, Non-commissioners Officers Acad-emy, United States Department of Agriculture, Manage my/// Experience: 4 years of military: Bachelor of Science de-

gree: retired from the Department of Agriculture where I worked for the

Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the U.S. Forest Service. I

have managed my own business for over 25 years, election judge, member

of Planning and Zoning, Denton.

1) It is important that school board members be involved in other issues other than the school board meetings. Being involved in the community allows people that would not attend school board meetings, which is a large percentage of voters, to approach a member in a different setting. Having an active facebook page or twitter page is important because so many peo-ple use social media to communicate. Attending PTA meetings, teacher work days, and just spending the day at a school talking to teachers at the teacher’s lounge is important to gaining information. I am involved in Voter Registration, precinct chair///

2) Canvass teachers and ask them to list the top 5 programs that would least impact students if eliminated. Same would be done in the Administra-tion Offices. Take the top five programs from the school and administra-tion, that receive the most votes for elimination and again put those pro-grams up for a vote to see which ones get the most votes. Those that get the most votes should be evaluated for elimination. Teachers are the most important resource for determining what is needed in a school and what is baggage. Denton ISD Board Members should make decisions on the infor-mation received///

3) I oppose school vouchers or any form of funding that takes money away from our public school system. Public education has served this coun-try well and continues to serve this country by producing very intelligent American citizens. Public education is available to every American. If a family decides they prefer a private education for their child and can afford it or are willing to make that sacrifice to provide a private education for their child that is their choice. Public education is an insurance that our children will always have a place to get educated whether they come from a///

Barry Barnes

Education: I am a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Greens-

boro with a degree in Political Science.

Experience: I am the Father of three Denton ISD students. I have been involved in PTA’s at every school my children have attended, coached various athletic teams, worked with charitable organizations to insure students have food when they leave school, and attended or viewed School Board Meetings since moving into Denton///

1) I am an advocate of the Citizens Advisory Committee, and would like to see that same carry-over to a Student Advisory Committee. Take the Student Council leaders at High Schools and have them meet with the Board several times a year. I would also like to see changes in the Board of Trustees Operating Procedures when it comes to public communication, specifically Section 5, Complaints to the Board Members. Give parents and community members the opportunity to have open dialogue with the Board. Also, allow the Board members to engage the speakers at the Board Meetings.

2) Reduction in expenditures should primarily come from reducing dol-lars spent on athletic expenses. Looking at the Bond Recommendation I would cut the culinary program, agricultural science center, tennis courts, and fieldhouse upgrades.

3) I believe that public education and public schools is one of the out-standing achievements our country has given the world. I am not in favor of vouchers or ESA. I am only in favor of ESA’s in specific situations as it relates to students with disabilities.

DENTON ISD TRUSTEE, PLACE 2

Jeanetta Smith

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education,

University of North Texas. Master’s Degree in Educa-

tion, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Bachelor’s

Degree in Art Education, University of///

Experience: Dallas, TX ISD, 1 year. Tucson, Arizona

Public Schools, 6 years. Austin, TX ISD, 4 years. Denton,

TX ISD, 27 years.

1) Other than attending a school board meeting, a person wanting to communicate with the School Board can do so via email, letter, or even fax. However, attending a Board Meeting and registering to speak during the “Public Comment” portion of the agenda would probably be best.

2) If DISD expenditures must be reduced, I would cut “just a little” from “programs” and “teachers” and increase class size "a little" so that as little harm as possible would be done to the students’ educational experiences.

3) Vouchers are “public dollars” that are sent to private schools which are not accountable to the public for producing results. Unlike public schools, private schools are not required to provide special education services that are mandated by federal and state laws in order to protect the rights and interests of students with disabilities. Vouchers drain addi-tional resources from our public school system. Public funds should re-main in the public school system which serves the vast majority of Texas students.

Continued on the next page

LWV Denton Voter’s Guide 7

DENTON ISD TRUSTEE, PLACE 2

Continued from previous page

David Shuck

Education: Graduated W.T White High School, Dallas. Attended DCCCD (Brookhaven and Richland Colleges) in Information Technology. Experience: I’m a parent of three DISD students and a 20-year Denton

County homeowner. I fully appreciate how Board decisions affect families

and taxpayers. As Mayor of Providence Village, I lowered property taxes by

15% in two years, while significantly improving services. I will bring that

leadership experience to the Board.

1) My campaign is about fighting for students, parents, teachers, and

taxpayers. That’s why, I will maintain my Facebook page, website, and email

newsletter to ensure that the community receives regular updates, and can

reach me directly with any ideas or concerns. Additionally, I would like to

hold quarterly Town Hall meetings and/or Tele-Town Halls, and “office

hours” in neighborhoods throughout the District to ensure I am available to

our community. I will represent and strongly advocate for the best interests

of the students and voters of Denton ISD.

2) No organization runs at 100% efficiency, therefore, I will call for a complete District-wide financial audit, to ensure that our tax dollars are spent responsibly and efficiently. This will allow our District to realize cost-savings and efficiencies before the District faces any budget constraints. It is important to underscore that I am talking about finding efficiencies outside of our children’s classrooms, such as in school administration, maintenance and operations, and contracted vendors. In fact, I would like to increase classroom funding, such as providing larger teacher supply budgets, so teachers don’t have to purchase school supplies with their paychecks.

3) My wife and I believe in the public school system, which is why we chose to educate our three children in Denton ISD. That’s why I will ensure that DISD provides top-quality education by directing more funds to the classroom. I also believe that parents know the best how their children can reach their full potential, and our schools must do a better job of engaging parents in their children's education. Ultimately, vouchers will be decided upon by Austin officials, but I will always work to protect our classrooms, students, and teachers, from negative effects of state or federal mandates.

.Jonathan Balmos

No response (no contact information available)

Angela Cid

Education: Southern Methodist Univ. M.Ed Program. Univ. of North Texas, Toulouse Grad School, Master’s in Library Science. Univ. of Texas Dallas, Bachelor of Arts Lit. Studies. Experience: Professional: English 1 teacher & Librarian, Uplift Education

Williams Preparatory. Librarian, Cross Oaks Elementary School-Denton ISD.

Team Leader, Americorp: Jumpstart Early Lit. Prog. Advocacy work: Guest

Speaker for UTD, The Holocaust Conference. Guest Speaker for LGBTQA+

PRISM Summit, Brave Education. Guest Speaker for TFA Summer Institute

Closing Ceremony. Americorp. Member.

1) Social media platforms should be utilized by the board: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Email blasts. Because mobility hinders access, infor-mation dissemination through social media is most equitable for most com-munity members because posting on various and varied social media platforms ensures that the information sent reaches the most amount of people. However, the assumption that all members of our community has access to technology should not be taken for granted so bimonthly news-letters sent home with students detailing topics and issues the board meetings cover should be practiced in tangent with conventional board meetings and the use of social media.

2) Decreasing school expenditures should never be an option. We need to cultivate a culture of equal and equitable opportunity for ALL communi-ty. Those that receive the utmost best education become agents of change and their impact is measured through tangible altruism: if students are our future agents then the change they will deliver to our community will im-pact all members within the community generationally. Thus, the invest-ments we make in our schools and young people determines whether our community will have generational prosperity or scarcity. I would rather focus on increasing funding for schools rather than giving energy to scarci-ty. 3) I don’t believe in school vouchers. States should use that money to monetarily feed public schools. The existence of choice schools is due to scarcity: public schools are not adequately and properly serving communi-ties because, in a capitalist country, money is a catalyst: to catalyze equity and equality in public schools, states need to fund equitably and equally into public schools rather than funnel out equity and equality from them. As a board trustee, my advocacy for public schools will be most evident when I passionately, logically and ethically appeal to those whom have the power to catalyze education reform.