Archives > News Update
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Time is running out for school board elections
by Heather M. Smith, Staff writer
As the deadline approaches, five have filed to run for the Plano Independent School District. Potential candidates have until 5 p.m. on Monday to file for a place on the ballot.
Two Plano ISD board seats, Places 6 and 7, will be open. Place 6 incumbent Melody Timinsky will not seek re-election. Community volunteer Marilyn Hinton, attorney Nathan Barbera and consultant Steve Navarre will vie for the seat. Writer Robert Canright has filed to challenge Place 7 trustee Missy Bender, who will run again.
Hinton is a 15-year resident of Plano and a former teacher. She and her husband have two children, who graduated from Plano West High School. When her children were in school, she was a member of Meadows Elementary PTA.
Hinton will host an afternoon campaign kickoff party at Inova Family Physicians from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday. The 60-year-old candidate said she thinks her age gives her an edge in the campaign.
“I’ve seen how schools have changed and I have a clear direction in regards to goals for the district,” Hinton said. “I also talked to all the board members before deciding to run.”
Barbera attended Plano schools from kindergarten through his graduation from Plano Senior High School. He said he couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow up and receive an education.
“I had a good experience going through Plano schools,” Barbera said. “I think this is a strong district and I want to continue that tradition.”
Barbera said he is not coming into the race with a certain agenda, but he would like to see PISD become a recognized district again. For the 2008 state accountability ratings, the district rated academically acceptable.
Navarre has three children in Plano ISD. He said he firmly believes that better education and stronger schools are built on accountability, communication and transparency.
“My campaign is going great; I’ve built a strong base of parents and taxpayers,” Navarre said. “At this point in the campaign, people will see my long days continue and will also see my continued dedication to the campaign.”
On Wednesday, Navarre attended a Collin College town hall meeting. He said he didn’t see any other candidate or school board member there.
“I think it’s important to attend meetings because we must look at all planning in Austin, Washington D.C. and the colleges,” Navarre said. “Everybody provides input in the educational base. It’s our job to make productive kids for the future.”
Bender’s role as the current secretary of the board includes visiting school campuses, conducting “brown bag” lunch meetings with parents, making presentations at community organization gatherings and advocating with legislators. For her service on the school board, Bender earned the designation of “Master Trustee” from the Texas Association of School Boards.
Canright is an experienced and certified math and science teacher. He has taught mathematics in Texas public schools in grades four through 12 and taught elementary school science. Canright is also the author of “Achieve Lasting Happiness” and “Timeless Secrets to Transform Your Life.”
The deadline to file an application for a place on the ballot is 5 p.m. on Monday. Applications can be picked up and filed at the Plano ISD Communications Office located at 2700 W. 15th Street.
Contact Heather Smith at HSmith@acnpapers.com.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News Update «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
