Voters Guide

May 10, 2008, Local Elections

McKinney ISD

Early voting – April 28 through May 6

Election day – Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This Voters Guide is published by the League of Women Voters of Plano/Collin County to help citizens prepare to cast an informed vote. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that works to promote political responsibility through active, informed participation of all citizens in their government. The League does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.

All candidates for the respective offices were invited to participate. If a candidate did not respond by the deadline, “No Response Received” is printed. Responses were limited to 100 words and truncated with // after the 100^th word.

Candidates for McKinney ISD, Place 4

Jim Pikl

1. Please describe the training and experience that qualify you for this office.

I have been an MISD parent for nine years. I am a substitute teacher, and have served as the Johnson and Dowell Middle School Mock Trial coach for three years. I have also been a volunteer at many school functions. I am an experienced attorney and I have held positions on many volunteer boards in the past, including the board for the Clothe-A-Child ministry and the Dallas Junior Hockey Association. I have also been counsel to and sat on many boards of directors in my law practice.

2. What role should statewide standardized testing play in this district? Is there too much emphasis on standardized testing, as some teacher and parent organizations have reported?

The idea of "standardized" testing is misguided in many ways, but it does have its place. Standard test scores make it easier to compare apples to apples on the macro/administration level. Given the dictates of “No Child Left Behind,” MISD is using standardized testing in compliance with that program, which is beneficial to MISD students. If students are taught the basics of core subjects, they will have no problem passing a test like the TAKS. But such tests don’t evaluate the knowledge of students in advanced classes because it has usually been years since they studied the test material.

3. What is the best way to reward good teachers? Do you think that the state’s merit pay plan for teachers with matching local fund requirements is an effective use of the school district’s funds?

Pay them more, based purely on merit and teaching skills. The State’s system is not perfect, and I would like to see much more control over salaries in the hands of the administrators who actually work with each teacher on a daily basis.

4. How should this district prepare students for success whether they are college-bound or not?

First, all students need to be experienced with the latest technology, college-bound or not. When I was in school, we had courses like auto mechanics, wood and metal shop, etc. that prepared non-college-bound students for work. MISD should expand the availability of such courses when possible. We need to do a better job assimilating Spanish speaking students into English fluency, college-bound or not. We also need better job/career counseling and placement for students not planning to attend college.

5. How do current procedures in textbook selection affect this school district? How can the district ensure that appropriate textbooks are available?

Textbooks are screened and selected at the state level, so the MISD board has little say in that area. My experience is that the State of Texas is doing a fairly good job in textbook selection in most subjects. Obviously, the selection of texts is vitally important to overall learning and to the world view that our students perceive from their education. To the extent the Board has any input on this process, we should take our responsibility seriously.

6. Is the current property tax rate, plus state financing, adequate to support the school district’s needs?

It seems to be. We are, of course, a rapidly growing district and there is a high need for more physical facilities like classrooms and athletic facilities. But the budget of MISD must be spent on facilities AND other things, so there is a tension there which I do not believe can be fully eliminated at this time in McKinney’s history. Instead, we need board members who can accomplish the delicate balancing act that any budget requires, and do it well.

7. As more students from non-English-speaking backgrounds enroll, what should the district do to facilitate their success at school?

We should require Spanish speaking students to be taught for one hour per day per grade level exclusively in English (i.e., first grade, one hour per day; second grade, two hours per day; etc.) In that way, every MISD student will be fluent in English by the sixth grade. For those who enter MISD after first grade or need extra help, we should provide it in the form of special tutoring. To not do this is crippling these students and dooming many of them to never fully assimilate into the larger U.S. economy

8. What are the most important issues you think will come before the school district in the next three years? What are your views on these issues?

My main issue is busing for “socio-economic diversity.” I want to end it. This is the one main area where I am different from the other two candidates. This campaign will be a referendum on that issue.

All MISD students should be fluent in English by the sixth grade, and we need a workable plan to accomplish that.

We should consider the concept of ninth grade centers and magnet schools, which could delay our need for a fourth high school by as much as five years.

Richard E. Stevens (no response received)

Mark P. Yablon

1. Please describe the training and experience that qualify you for this office.

Graduate of public education in Pasadena TX, Baylor University BBA, Business-Journalism and U.S. Naval Reserves. Children attended Holy Family School, McKinney Christian Academy and Wolford Elementary. They attend Glen Oaks Elementary and Dowell MS.

My wife, Beth, and I substitute taught in MISD in the 1990s and are involved in various organizations and programs benefiting children. Was member of MISD Bond Committee and McKinney Education Foundation, serving as Chairman, Finance and Investment Committee. For years, have moderated public debates for candidates and issues and am not just now getting involved.

2. What role should statewide standardized testing play in this district? Is there too much emphasis on standardized testing, as some teacher and parent organizations have reported?

Outcome-based programs expect consistent performance from everyone based on lowest denominator, not on each child reaching his potential. Typical kids have a false sense of accomplishment.

Standardized testing should be a starting point -- not the end-objective. Current system identifies kids needing tutoring, but ignores kids needing challenges to go to their own next level under false guise that bright kids do "well" regardless.

Let’s compare the student against himself at semester beginning and end. It's the progress that indicates how well everyone performed.

Give them an incredibly fun and challenging work environment. Let them teach. Pay them well. Give them ethical, consistent and solid leadership from principals and other administrators. Enable them to grow professionally.

4. How should this district prepare students for success whether they are college-bound or not?

Schools once again must focus on all children: those excelling academically to become a physician or learning trades. This will result in less discipline problems from less bored, bright students who feel unappreciated and less frustrated, angry kids who feel inadequate for failing "arbitrary" academic tests. Contractors can’t find dependable employees. Tradesmen charge $90 an hour. How many high school graduates would love to earn six-figures?

One teacher said, "Small class size, good curriculum material, quality teacher professional development, solid discipline" applied consistently to ALL, "high expectations, good hiring, teacher accountability and parental involvement …"

5. How do current procedures in textbook selection affect this school district? How can the district ensure that appropriate textbooks are available?

I will meet personally with my friends in the state legislature, if needed. Beyond that, MISD should attempt to influence the Texas Board of Education when appropriate.

6. Is the current property tax rate, plus state financing, adequate to support the school district’s needs?

Tax rate is too high. We’re one of the wealthiest districts by taxable assets and have one of the highest tax rates. We should have low tax rates. We need to allocate funds to help our children reach their potential and find areas to cut. Easier said than done.

We also need to partner with City of McKinney to help with economic development within MISD and to find ways to save money for both entities by working together more strategically. We need better state funding and property tax relief.

7. As more students from non-English-speaking backgrounds enroll, what should the district do to facilitate their success at school?

My dad immigrated to America through Ellis Island in the 1920s and grew up in Brooklyn tenements. His dad grew up in Poland; Mom in Russia. English was not 1^st, 2^ndor 3^rd language in his home. My dad speaks impeccable English even though his native tongue has no relationship to English. He had no special accommodations nor did other immigrants from Asia, Spain, Italy, etc.

Kids learn quickly to appreciate the difference between success and failure. When allowed, they figure it out and choose success. When they are coddled, they experience neither success nor failure.

8. What are the most important issues you think will come before the school district in the next three years? What are your views on these issues?

My mission statement is “Working Together for Excellence in Education.” Contact me at mark@markyablon.com.

1. MISD needs to communicate with parents better. Parents feel disenfranchised from decisions on important matters, like rezoning, spending, etc.

2. We must increase expectations for academic excellence, appropriate manners and behavior. We must focus on all children – not just those at risk for failing TAKS. We must provide alternative educational opportunities.

3. Find ways to lower the tax rate so it costs less for people to own their homes and run their businesses.