Investing in the Future of FWISD: A Sustainable Endowment for Teachers and Students

Public education is the foundation of a thriving community, and at the heart of every successful school district are its teachers and students. As a candidate for the FWISD District 4 School Board, I recognize that our district is facing critical challenges—teacher retention, stagnant wages, and a lack of funding for student opportunities. To address these issues, I propose the creation of the FWISD Investment Endowment, a dedicated, long-term fund designed to increase teacher pay (excluding administrative roles) and provide scholarships for student internships and university courses. This initiative will ensure that FWISD remains competitive in attracting and retaining top educators while also equipping students with the tools they need to succeed beyond high school.

Investing in Teachers: Competitive Pay for Retention and Success

Teachers are the backbone of our education system, yet many struggle with inadequate compensation despite their dedication to student achievement. The reality is that without competitive pay, FWISD risks losing talented educators to neighboring districts, charter schools, and private institutions that offer better financial incentives. The FWISD Investment Endowment will provide a sustainable source of funding to supplement teacher salaries, ensuring that the educators who make the greatest impact on our children are fairly compensated for their hard work.

Importantly, this endowment will focus exclusively on increasing teacher pay, excluding administrative roles. While school leadership plays an important role, this initiative is designed specifically to retain and reward classroom teachers, those who work directly with students every day. By offering higher wages, FWISD will not only attract experienced and highly qualified teachers but also prevent high turnover rates, which disrupt student learning and cost the district significant resources in hiring and training new staff.

Empowering Students Through Scholarships for Internships and University Courses

Education is more than just what happens inside the classroom—it’s about preparing students for life beyond high school. Many FWISD students face barriers to higher education and career advancement due to financial limitations. To address this, the FWISD Investment Endowment will also provide scholarships for students to participate in internships and take university-level courses while still in high school.

Internships allow students to gain real-world experience, build professional networks, and explore career paths that can shape their futures. Many internships, however, are unpaid or located in industries that are difficult for low-income students to access. By offering financial assistance for internship-related expenses such as transportation, materials, or stipends, FWISD can ensure that every student—regardless of economic background—has access to career-building experiences.

Similarly, enabling high school students to enroll in university courses while still in FWISD will give them a head start on their college education. Dual-enrollment programs provide students with exposure to rigorous coursework, help them earn college credits early, and reduce the overall cost of obtaining a degree. For many families, the burden of tuition is a deciding factor in whether a student pursues higher education. By covering tuition costs for university courses, the endowment will make college more accessible and affordable for FWISD students, particularly those from first-generation and low-income backgrounds.

Funding the FWISD Investment Endowment: A Community Effort

Unlike short-term grants or temporary funding solutions, an endowment provides a permanent and self-sustaining financial resource. The FWISD Investment Endowment will be built through multiple funding sources, including:

  • Private Donations: Engaging community members, local philanthropists, and FWISD alumni to invest in the district’s long-term success.
  • Business Partnerships: Collaborating with Fort Worth-based companies and industries to create a workforce pipeline, ensuring that today’s students become tomorrow’s skilled professionals.
  • Educational Grants: Seeking funding from national education foundations that support teacher retention and student advancement programs.
  • Strategic Investments: Ensuring responsible financial management that allows the endowment to grow over time, generating consistent funds for teacher pay and student scholarships.

By diversifying revenue streams, the endowment will create a lasting impact without relying solely on state or local government budgets, which can fluctuate due to economic and political factors. This ensures that funding for teacher pay and student opportunities remains stable and protected for future generations.

A Long-Term Vision for FWISD’s Future

The FWISD Investment Endowment is not just a temporary fix—it is a long-term solution to some of our district’s most pressing challenges. If we want to see real, measurable improvement in student outcomes, we must invest in our educators and provide students with the opportunities they need to succeed. This initiative will strengthen our district’s ability to recruit and retain top teachers, expand student learning opportunities, and ultimately create a stronger, more competitive FWISD.

If elected to the FWISD District 4 School Board, I will champion this initiative and work to ensure its successful implementation. Investing in teachers and students is an investment in Fort Worth’s future, and together, we can build an education system that truly puts students and educators first.