Amy Grant – Trustee, Single-Member District 4

What is your motivation to become a school board member?

I am running for school board due to a multitude of reasons. When COVID hit initially, I felt like the district did take it seriously, however it became a nightmare for me (and my daughter). We actually ended up trying to homeschool, but being a solo parent and working about 80 hrs a week, teaching was extremely difficult for us. So, I made the difficult decision to transfer her to another district. The truth is, COVID is not going away. There's a strong likelihood that we will have more powerful and far-reaching variants and we need people who are going to put the best interest of the students, teachers, staff, and our community. Furthermore, I am a private speech-language pathologist, an Autism Specialist, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist. Since I opened my practice in 2009, I have noticed a steady incline of students falling through the cracks, students not nurtured, many thrown to the side because they have learning differences and disabilities. In the last year or so I have had a massive influx of undiagnosed neurodivergent, specifically Autistic students come to me after reaching burn-out and while having suicidal ideation. The fact is they went their entire schooling without someone getting to know who they are, what they need, and nurturing them. My LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and economically disadvantaged students have also been unsupported by Hays CISD and I reached a point that I simply could not stand aside while these students were underserved and more so them becoming the target of these bullies. There is a war raging against our marginalized groups and our public schooling system. I simply had to step up, because no one else in my district had the ability to do so at the time. I have three platform issues that I feel encompass my priorities: safe and equitable education for all, whole-child education, and support and empower teachers. 

What qualities will enable you to be an effective school board member? 

I believe my ability to read and interpret data, pragmatically solve problems with critical thinking and my ability to consult with the experts in any given field are great strengths of mine that will bring a new perspective to the board. I am a leader in my field of study, and I believe these skills will all translate to the needs of Hays CISD. I am a good listener and enjoy engaging with populations of people that are open to discussions for the betterment of our community. I bring a unique background, voice, and perspective as a specialist with a deep understanding of Autism/ADHD, budgeting, disseminating information for others to understand, and finding ways to empower the client. 

What are currently the greatest challenges facing Hays CISD?

I believe the greatest challenges of our district at the administration level is the lack of accountability, transparency, group bias that exists on the school board, lack of uniformity across the district, as well as equitable distribution of resources. Furthermore, racism, ableism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, and bullying are all major issues that must be addressed through the lens of education and compassion, rather than rewards or punishments. 

What are the greatest challenges facing public education in Texas? 

I believe the biggest challenge we are facing is the ongoing strategic and methodical way in which one particular group of people, that happen to currently be in positions of power, at dismantling and weakening our school system by way of reducing funding, cutting programs, and laying down a red carpet for charter and private schools via the voucher program. I also believe the radicalization of our community members that are racist, ableist, xenophobic, homo/transphobic are attempting to take over what's left of our schools. Lastly, the safety of our children, teachers, staff, and administration are of great concern. From incessant bullying, infantilizing of students, to strategic manipulation to oppress marginalized groups is of great concern. 

What are your ideas to improve the future of Hays CISD? How would they help our students?

I believe the greatest barrier to student achievement is lack of equitable education. There are so many ways in which Hays CISD needs to change to become the equity-centered, trauma-sensitive, neurodiversity-affirming district. For some examples; teach true history that is culturally competent, strengthen ELL and ESL programs, establish culturally responsive teaching, hiring and retaining BIPOC and LGBTQ educators and administrators, establish a plan to fight back against standardized testing requirements (they are innately racist and ableist), establish a neurodiversity-affirming action team, provide education to teachers and administrators, de-escalation training, trauma-informed training, ceasing all restraint and isolation policies, ceasing school suspensions and instead establishing a restorative justice program, provide ways for students, families, teachers, administrators to relay concerns without fear of retaliation, establish an accountability task force, establish a district-wide policy of "nothing about us without us," seek continuing education. I also would want to make bringing back the AVID program a priority. Also expanding the Con Mi Madre program. As well as increase other supports for students to apply for secondary education programs, obtain funding, and plan for their future. Lastly, I believe that we need to focus serious attention on daily living skills (e.g., home economics) and emotional intelligence, and utilize a program such as Include to nurture neurodiversity and inclusion. 

How much do you think vaccines, masks and other health and safety measures have contributed to the decline of COVID-19 in our community? What is your position on maintaining these measures and vigilance about COVID going forward?

I love science, data, and medical advancements. I know that looking at the data things have appeared to calm with regards to COVID. But, it is vital that we prepare for any changes that may occur in the future. This includes the possibility of an immediate threat. While COVID numbers have, thankfully, declined, it has not vanished. So, remaining healthy and remaining vigilant are the biggest factors for maintaining safety in the neighborhood. 

Please explain your stance on book bans happening in public schools across Texas.

Banning books is a form of censorship that I do not endorse. Censorship, by definition, is the suppression of ideas and information. Restricting access to a variety of books restricts freedom of thought and stifles academic freedom. Fortunately, there is legal precedent regarding book bans and more specifically that books may not be removed from libraries "simply because they [those wanting books removed] dislike the ideas contained in those books." I wholeheartedly agree with the American Library Association (ALA) and the Texas Library Association (TLA) that the freedom to read is a human right supported by the Library Bill of Rights, legal rulings, and the US Constitution. 

Describe how you will make sure diverse voices from the LGBTQIA+, economically disadvantaged, and culturally diverse communities will be heard and supported in the district?

I believe access is vital. I want to especially engage the families that feel unheard. I will be providing all contact information to families in the district. I also will be sure to provide this information in English, Spanish, and any other languages that are preferred by families. I want to establish a way to obtain information from educators without fear of retaliation. There is so much bullying among staff that this is an extremely delicate situation, but necessary to improve the district culture. Creating a culturally sensitive culture with not only acceptance but a celebration of our differences and embracing of our identities. Creating and maintaining good health, and an accepting environment for LGBTQ students/educators must be created. It is important that we recruit BIPOC and LGBTQ educators in positions of leadership. Educate staff and students on acceptance. 

As a school board member, how will you counteract the rhetoric of the far-right to sow fear and division surrounding the teaching of history in our schools?

I believe strongly that it is vital to teach true history. In order to understand our society today we must dissect our past. In doing so it, not only a valuable lesson in critical thought, but also helps our young people to understand the deep layers of systemic and institutional racism and ableism in this country. In studying true history it helps each individual to examine how history has impacted our lives and helped to form our identity. This opens not only the opportunity to dismantle racism and create a more equitable country, but it also helps people to become more accepting of differences and it helps us to not repeat the same mistakes. I believe in order to make progress in teaching our true history there will have to be a multilayer advocacy initiative with the union of many organizations such as; ACLU and Southern Poverty Law Center. Specifically in Texas, we MUST advocate for the changing of the way textbooks and curricula are approved/recommended, have BIPOC and LGBTQ educators in positions of leadership and remove the partisan control over the Texas Education Agency. With the massive pushback, we will receive in smaller communities, like Hays CISD, I believe that shifting to having more BIPOC and LGBTQ educators, administrators, leaders, partnerships, and board members is a vital component towards this goal. Also, sadly, many educators don't know our true history. They will require guidance and mentoring as well. I also would love to see district-wide celebrations of differences. From Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Autism Acceptance Month, Asian and Pacific Islander Month, PRIDE Month, etc all must be led by individuals within that group. Furthermore, I believe when there are events of bigotry, xenophobia, racism, ableism, homo/transphobia, etc we have special programs to offer the students (and adults) that are found to be in violation of district policy on acceptance and inclusion. Rather than suspending someone, we educate them more. I believe this type of systematic and multi-layered approach will increase our success in an equitable society and district. 

If elected, how will you work to address disparities in our communities and areas that the district serves?

I believe that shifting to having more BIPOC and LGBTQ educators, administrators, leaders, partnerships, and board members is a vital component towards this goal. To do this we MUST shift the culture of the district. Listening to the community and educators alike to see where they feel the district has failed them. Specifically with the special needs department, although beneficial district-wide, to learn and implement equity-centered, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-sensitive, whole-child education. Additionally, preparing students for the real world is desperately needed. I would like to see HaysCISD transform from a compliance-based one-size education to an equity-centered, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-sensitive, whole-child education. 

Any other comments:

My top priorities:

SUPPORT AND EMPOWER TEACHERS- Honor teacher expertise, increase support, and empower teachers within the classroom. Offer competitive pay and benefits to recruit and retain a diverse team of teachers and support staff.

SAFE, EQUITABLE EDUCATION FOR ALL- Every child deserves an excellent education regardless of learning style, income, identity, neurotype, race, or campus.

WHOLE CHILD EDUCATION- Students need to feel safe and supported in our schools to excel. That includes mental health services and with neurodiversity-affirming social/emotional learning.

Charter schools are systematically dismantling our public schooling system. I firmly believe that we need to strengthen our public schooling system, not weaken it.