My Policy Priorities: A Call to Action for District 4

Fort Worth ISD has a long history of challenges, from funding mismanagement to persistent achievement gaps. Decades of declining student performance, high teacher turnover, and lack of transparency have weakened public trust. We cannot afford to continue with the same ineffective leadership and outdated policies.

As the youngest candidate with a Master’s in Education, I am committed to implementing evidence-based solutions that have successfully improved student outcomes in districts across the country. These policies will bring accountability, transparency, and long-term success to Fort Worth ISD.

 

For too long, our schools have been led by individuals more focused on political posturing than real progress. The performative actions and empty promises must end. 

This is the time to call out those who have used their positions for personal gain while our schools struggle. Those who have only burdened our city with inaction and neglect must either commit to real solutions or step aside. Our children’s education is too important to be left in the hands of those who refuse to listen, refuse to act, and refuse to put our community first.

I have reached out to the mayor, councilman, and board members, all of whom have seen my messages and chosen to ignore them. Their silence speaks volumes. It’s clear that they are unwilling to address the real issues facing our schools, and their lack of action speaks louder than any words could.

I am stepping up to be the leader our district needs. I will fight to  amplify the voices of parents and educators, and push for real, lasting improvements in our schools. Together, we can break free from the cycle of failed leadership and build a future that truly puts students first. The time for change is now.

1. Accountability for All: Educators, School Board, Parents, and Students

Fort Worth ISD has struggled with inconsistent leadership, budget mismanagement, and a lack of clear accountability. I will work to implement clear standards, oversight, and transparency to ensure every stakeholder—educators, school board members, parents, and students—is responsible for student success.

Educators

• Ensure teachers receive the resources they need  for student success. Every educator should have access to high-quality instructional materials, technology, and support services, but they must also demonstrate measurable student progress. Teacher evaluations should include multiple measures, including student achievement, classroom engagement, and professional growth.
• Require all teachers to receive training in classroom management and high-quality instruction. Disruptive classroom environments hinder learning, and educators must be equipped with strategies to maintain order while fostering student engagement. Training should focus on evidence-based practices that improve student behavior and academic performance.
• Ensure professional development is meaningful and improves student outcomes. Too often, training sessions are repetitive and ineffective, failing to equip teachers with practical skills. Professional development should be tailored to teacher needs, aligned with district goals, and regularly assessed for impact on student achievement.
• Require educators to take part in data tracking and targeted intervention strategies. Teachers must actively track student performance data to identify learning gaps and provide precise interventions. A structured system for data analysis will ensure struggling students receive immediate tutoring, personalized instruction, and additional academic support.

School Board

• Increase transparency and responsible spending to prevent waste and favoritism. Fort Worth ISD has a history of financial mismanagement, with funds allocated to unnecessary expenses instead of critical student needs. I will push for open financial reporting, stricter oversight, and budget decisions that prioritize direct classroom impact.
• Conduct independent budget audits to ensure funds are spent on necessary programs, not personal preferences. All spending, including curriculum, contracts, and professional services, must be justified by data and student impact. An external auditing system should be in place to review financial decisions and eliminate inefficiencies.
• Ensure curriculum, vendors, and events are selected based on student needs, not politics or special interests. Every educational material, partnership, and program must be evaluated for its effectiveness in improving student outcomes. Personal connections or external pressures should never determine how taxpayer money is spent.
• Implement a data-driven accountability system that involves parents, staff, and students. The district must create a clear and consistent process to track student progress, evaluate instructional effectiveness, and ensure all stakeholders are aware of performance gaps. This system will provide real-time updates, allowing for early interventions and transparent communication about student needs.

Parents

• Strengthen communication between schools and families. Parents deserve clear, timely updates on their children’s academic progress, discipline issues, and available resources. Schools must implement direct communication tools, including parent-teacher conferences, online portals, and multilingual outreach efforts.
• Provide research-based workshops to help parents improve discipline at home, and reinforce school expectations. Many behavioral issues in schools stem from inconsistent discipline at home, leading to repeated disruptions in the classroom. By offering parenting classes on discipline strategies, conflict resolution, and academic support, we can create a unified approach to student success. 
• Establish parent and community councils to give families a voice in school policies. Decision-making should not happen behind closed doors without family input. These councils will allow parents to contribute to policies on school discipline, curriculum decisions, and overall district priorities.
• Require parents to engage in student progress tracking and intervention plans. Parents must be active participants in their children’s academic success by reviewing student performance data, attending intervention meetings, and supporting tutoring programs. A district-wide initiative will provide parents with the tools and training necessary to close learning gaps at home.

• Empowering Parents with Financial Literacy

  Every parent deserves the tools to make informed financial decisions that will benefit their family’s future. That’s why I am committed to providing free financial literacy classes for all parents in our community. These classes will be open to the public, with materials available for those who may not be able to attend in person due to work or other commitments.

Students

• Set clear expectations for attendance, behavior, and academic performance. Schools must implement firm but fair policies that ensure students are present, engaged, and meeting academic benchmarks. Consistent enforcement of these expectations will lead to higher graduation rates and better preparedness for life after high school.
• Develop a direct pathway for student success through college, career, and trade programs. Every student should leave high school with a clear plan, whether that includes higher education, a trade certification, or workforce readiness. Schools must strengthen partnerships with colleges, local businesses, and vocational programs to provide real-world opportunities.
• Expand mentorship and community service programs to build leadership and responsibility. Students need positive role models and hands-on experiences that teach them accountability and civic engagement. By creating mentorship initiatives and requiring community service as part of disciplinary action, we can instill a sense of responsibility and leadership.
• Implement a system where students and parents participate in discipline solutions, including positive community service and family engagement programs. Traditional suspensions often do little to change behavior and disproportionately impact certain student groups. Instead, we must implement restorative discipline practices that require students to engage in meaningful reflection, parent-supported interventions, and constructive community work.
• Require students to take part in their own academic tracking and goal setting. Students should regularly review their academic progress, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and set measurable goals. Schools must implement structured student-led conferences and mentorship programs to encourage responsibility for academic success.

Parental Involvement in Student Discipline & Community Engagement

Evidence of Success:

• Texas’ Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) programs showed a 25% reduction in student discipline issues when schools involved parents in behavior intervention plans.
• Chicago Public Schools piloted a Restorative Practices Parent Training, leading to a 30% decrease in repeat disciplinary offenses among students whose parents attended sessions.
• Community Service-Based Discipline in San Francisco Unified School District resulted in higher student engagement and fewer repeat infractions, as students contributed positively to their neighborhoods.

Benefit to Fort Worth:

• Implement a parenting and discipline-at-home class requirement for families of students with repeated disciplinary notices and referrals.
• Engage students in positive community service projects as part of discipline plans, reinforcing accountability while building civic responsibility.

 

By holding educators, the school board, parents, and students accountable, we can create a structured, transparent, and effective system that ensures every student in Fort Worth ISD receives the education they deserve. A high standard for all means success for all.

2. Teacher Residency Programs for Recruitment & Retention

Evidence of Success: Boston Public Schools’ teacher residency program increased teacher retention by 80 percent over five years.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Establishing a residency program will allow aspiring teachers to train alongside experienced educators while earning a salary, reducing turnover and improving classroom effectiveness.

3. Community Schools Model

Evidence of Success: Cincinnati’s Community Learning Centers increased graduation rates from 51 percent to 82 percent by integrating social services, mental health support, and after-school programs directly into schools.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Converting underutilized schools into community hubs with health clinics, food pantries, and job training services will support students and families beyond the classroom.

4. Dual-Language Immersion Tutoring Programs

Evidence of Success: North Carolina’s bilingual immersion programs resulted in higher test scores in reading and math by fifth grade, benefiting both English learners and native speakers.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Expanding dual-language programs will prepare students for a global economy, increase cognitive flexibility, and improve long-term academic achievement.

5. Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways

Evidence of Success: Nashville’s “Academies of Nashville” CTE program saw a 23 percent increase in high school graduation rates by aligning education with workforce needs.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Expanding CTE pathways in healthcare, technology, and skilled trades will provide students with practical job skills and early career opportunities.

6. High-Dosage Tutoring for Struggling Students

Evidence of Success: Chicago Public Schools implemented high-dosage tutoring, leading to two years of math learning in one year for struggling students.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Expanding one-on-one or small-group tutoring programs will help recover learning loss and boost academic performance.

7. Restorative Justice Discipline Policies

Evidence of Success: Oakland Unified School District’s restorative justice program reduced suspensions by 87 percent and improved student behavior.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Implementing restorative justice practices instead of punitive suspensions will decrease racial disparities in discipline and improve classroom environments.

8. Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship Education

Evidence of Success: Chicago Public Schools mandated financial literacy courses, leading to improved savings habits and better financial decision-making among graduates.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Teaching personal finance, credit management, and entrepreneurship in middle and high school will prepare students for real-world financial success

9.Free Public Transit for Students

Evidence of Success: Los Angeles’ “GoPass” program increased student attendance and saved families money by providing free bus and train access.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Partnering with Trinity Metro to offer free transit passes for students will reduce transportation barriers and increase school attendance.

10.Trauma-Informed Teaching & Mental Health Training for Educators

Evidence of Success: Massachusetts schools that trained teachers in trauma-informed education saw better student behavior and improved learning outcomes.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Providing mental health training for teachers will help them better support students dealing with stress, trauma, or anxiety.

11.Small Learning Communities (SLCs) in High Schools

Evidence of Success: New York City high schools using SLC models (where students stay with the same teachers for multiple years) saw higher graduation rates and better college readiness.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Creating small learning communities in large high schools will give students personalized attention and stronger academic support.

12.Expansion of Outdoor & Experiential Learning

Evidence of Success: San Diego Unified School District increased outdoor education programs, leading to higher student engagement and improved science scores.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Investing in outdoor learning spaces, school gardens, and hands-on STEM programs will enhance critical thinking and student well-being.

13. Financial Incentives for Teachers in High-Need Schools

Evidence of Success: Dallas ISD’s Teacher Excellence Initiative increased teacher retention in underperforming schools by offering higher salaries and bonuses.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Providing higher pay and bonuses for high-performing teachers in struggling schools will improve teacher quality and student outcomes.

14.College Application & FAFSA Completion Assistance

Evidence of Success: Tennessee’s FAFSA completion push increased college enrollment rates by over 10 percent in low-income communities.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Offering FAFSA workshops, essay coaching, and college application guidance will help more students pursue higher education.

15.Peer Mediation & Conflict Resolution Programs

Evidence of Success: Los Angeles Unified School District saw a 50 percent drop in student conflicts after implementing peer-led conflict resolution programs.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Training students in peer mediation will help resolve disputes without suspensions, improving school climate and reducing disciplinary actions.

16.Expanded STEM & Robotics Programs in Elementary Schools

Evidence of Success: Schools in San Jose introduced early robotics and STEM education, leading to higher math and science scores in middle school.
Benefit to Fort Worth: Implementing hands-on STEM education in elementary grades will spark student interest in science and technology careers early on.

Join the Movement for Change

Fort Worth’s education system has been in crisis for too long. We cannot allow history to repeat itself. I am running for the District 4 School Board because our students, teachers, and families deserve better.

This is not just a campaign—it is a call to action. If you believe in a school system that prioritizes accountability, transparency, and student success, I need your support.

Now is the time to demand better. Now is the time to take action. Join me in fighting for a stronger District 4.