Reprint from the Progress Times - April 11, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

SISD holds candidate forum

 

In an effort to introduce the Sharyland Independent School District (SISD) School Board candidates up for election this year to the community, SISD will be holding their usual Board Member Candidate Forum at Sharyland High School McLeaish Library Tuesday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m.

The forum, which will be moderated by SISD Superintendent Scott B. Owings, will feature all three school board candidates, Mario Lizcano, Ricky Longoria and Juan F. Zuniga. The candidates will be vying for two open places, which will give voters the opportunity to participate in the district’s cumulative voting. Cumulative voting gives voters the chance to vote twice, either for one candidate or two different candidates.

Owings, going on his third year as superintendent, believes the forum is an opportunity for those in the community to get a better look at their possible school board representatives.

"There are a lot of people who already know who they’re going to support so I think this forum serves those who haven’t decided," said Owings. "You can get to know the candidates better, see them in person and hear what they stand for."

Each candidate will have two minutes for introductory remarks at the start of the forum followed by five "round robin" questions, which will also be answered in two minutes. Finally, each candidate will have two minutes for closing remarks.

The questions are: What specific skill or background do you have that will strengthen the Board? Why are you running for the Board? What role does the community have in strengthening the education of our children? What role do you believe the Board has in overall operations of the District? What is your vision for the future of Sharyland ISD?

According to Owings, the biggest issue facing the candidates, as well as the district as a whole, is growth.

"When I give talks I try to keep our small town feel and quality of education while we keep growing," said Owings. "That’s our overall challenge."

The election will be held May 10. The Mission fire station on Shary Road and Olivero Garza Elementary will be the district’s official polling places. Early voting, which beings on April 28, can be done only at the fire station.