The Cross Timbers Gazette asked each candidate in a contested race to answer a brief questionnaire to help voters make an informed decision at the polls this May. Election Day is Saturday, May 6, with early voting beginning Monday, April 24 running through Tuesday, May 2.
The candidates are listed in alphabetic order.
Lewisville ISD – Place 6
Place 6 candidates are Joe Hanna, incumbent Kristi Hassett, Eric Parker and Peter Rabner.
Jon Hanna, 60
The main issues facing your district and how you would resolve them: We need to better compensate our teachers and provide them with better healthcare. I would work with the board, district administrators and teachers to come up with a better system. We also need to review what technology is necessary in the classroom. We should oppose vouchers and do away with standardized testing.
Why voters should elect you: I want better accountability of how our taxes are spent in the school system.
Current occupation: Fluid Power Specialist for Applied Industrial Technologies
Education: BA Sociology
Current civic involvement: None.
Past civic service: None.
Have you ever been arrested or involved in any criminal proceedings or civil suits: No.
Additional Comments: None
Website: : www.jhannaforplace6.com
Kristi Hassett, 47
The main issues facing your district and how you would resolve them: Education is complex and has many internal and external forces; the largest will always be how to engage each free-willed student so they can learn. LISD must continue to provide true student engagement and improve curriculum to engage our students in the world around them and for an uncertain future.
Why voters should re-elect you: I am asking for your vote so that I may continue serve the students, teachers and community of LISD for another three years; not because I signed up based on a whim but because I have a true passion to serve. I am the strongest candidate due to my experience and knowledge, which allow me to understand the education issues facing our school district, state and nation. They also allow me to differentiate between those three levels of education policy so I can quickly target where to improve. I have demonstrated this expertise when I drafted and garnered the support of Representative Giovanni Capriglione to require the Texas legislature to analyze the monetary impact on school districts of all education bills introduced: House Bill 798. This bill will provide more fiscal information to school districts during the legislative process even before the bill becomes a funded or unfunded mandate.
Current occupation: Consultant
Education: BBA from UNT with a concentration in Strategic Management
Current civic involvement: Current LISD Trustee Place 6. I am also on the boards of both TAMSA, Texans Advocating for Meaningful Student Assessment, and Make Education a Priority. I volunteer for PTA, Young Men’s Service League, Boy Scouts and my church’s Sunday school.
Past civic service: 13-years as a PTA volunteer, three years volunteering with YMSL, Young Men’s Service League and 10 years volunteering for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
Have you ever been arrested or involved in any criminal proceedings or civil suits: No
Additional Comments: I research the issues facing LISD, whether it’s deciding on the right technology to aid in learning, or the ever-increasing reliance on our local property taxes and the ever-decreasing State support, or the over-testing of our students. I am passionate about implementing appropriate education-based decisions.
Website: www.hassett4lisd.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Hassett4LISD
Eric Parker, 23
The main issues facing your district and how you would resolve them: With unequal curriculum proficiency across the district, there should be a district investment in data that act as providing markers to target the problem. The second resolve is the education gap for higher education. The dual credit is not perfect due to over regulation. I would advocate less regulatory conflicts or directly make the case to accredit the district for higher education to improve it.
Why voters should elect you: The opportunity to help in education is the motivational factor for my passion in the subject. My experience in pharmaceuticals and understanding of medicine gives me unique qualification that adds a new perceptive in education. The district needs a team player being a check and balance and is willing to do the research for the team.
Current occupation: [CPhT] –attending student
Education: ASHP accredited for the national certification CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician); Richland college accredited ACPE for aseptic technique and I.V sterilization
Current civic involvement: Attending Local election for school board to bring light of issues that may be ignored or forgotten. A local Healthcare Committee member advocating for lower drug prices in the pharmaceutical industry.
Past civic service: My past civil service starts at a young age when calling 9-11 to save my father’s life when he suffered a heart attack. My father proceeded to the hospital where he was put into immediate surgery. During surgery, code blue happened. The Cardiologist ‘during the surgical procedure’ came out to explain the situation to my family. After the event, I learned my school became aware of the situation when my father’s cardiologist sent them a personal letter. The doctor was very impressed with my composure and my own understanding of the complex situation at such a young age. I was awarded the All Star of the Month at Lakeview middle school. At Hebron high-school, I volunteer to help my former arts teacher around the classroom. I wanted to help students develop their own skill capability. It was surprising how quickly many students improved in there ceramic technique by having extra help. The experience gave me useful insight on the day-to-day task in the classroom. For Richland College I volunteered to assist the professor in the I.V Pharmacy Tech course. I promoted advocacy and educated students in the microbiology prevention and drug competency when utilizing patient medication before it entered into his/her veins. Student were given specific attention by me in there aseptic technique, pharmacology, calculation, regulation/policy knowledge in scheduled drugs and their ability to communicate problems as being pro-active in error prevention. Collin county community college students were given a choice to participate in a service credit assignment for philanthropy services. I hosted and planned a holiday drive for social awareness for the Frisco Family services. The drive was successful in collecting donation and passing out over 400 fliers to educate students about voluntary opportunities in their local community of Frisco. At Hebron high-school, I volunteer for a month to help my former arts teacher around the classroom. Richland College I volunteered to assist the professor in the I.V Pharmacy Tech course to advocate pharmaceutical competency and at Collin county community college students I hosted and planned a holiday drive for social awareness for the Frisco Family services for philanthropy.
Have you ever been arrested or involved in any criminal proceedings or civil suits: No
Additional Comments: There is harassment, bullying and drugs in the LISD school system and I am not going to ignore what needs to be fixed. Having a slow response affects the student’s health. LISD needs an outline to promote policy for timing intervention to help students and parents.
Website: Parker4lisd.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Parker4LISD/
Peter Rabner: 38
The main issues facing your district and how you would resolve them: Debt. New bonds should be issued in amounts that can be paid off the following year. Short bond terms will allow for lower interest rates and save hundreds of millions in interest.
Why voters should elect you: I will work to get the district out of debt which will lead to lower taxes and financial security. By eliminating debt, the district will have tens of millions each year to pay cash for school and program improvements. This will establish a sustainable cash flow while maintaining low taxes.
Current occupation: Structural Engineer
Education: BS and MS in Civil Engineering from Brigham Young University
Current civic involvement: Working with Boy Scouts of America
Past civic service: Working with Boy Scouts of America
Have you ever been arrested or involved in any criminal proceedings or civil suits? If so, please explain: No
Any additional comments: The proposed bond shows the poor financial stewardship that exists. We are wanting things today at the expense of tomorrow. The bond will cost an additional $366.4 Million in interest over the next 20 years. Last year, $71 Million was spent on interest, and $58 Million for this year.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rabner4lisd
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