On your ballot: Career educator and instructor-turned-book-challenge activist compete for Place 1 on Denton ISD board

Burns taught social studies at Carroll ISD in Southlake, then served in the classroom at Pilot Point ISD. She landed in Denton ISD as a teacher in 1986, teaching at Denton High School, and was among the first teachers at Ryan High School when it opened in 1991. At Ryan High, Burns taught government and history.

On the school board, Burns has been a voice for teachers and their support staff.

Burns’ opponent, Debi Scaggs, has also spent time in the classroom. She taught emerging stylists and business owners as a cosmetology instructor at North Central Texas College for about two years.

Scaggs is a longtime Denton resident and an alumna of Denton High. In the last few years, she has played a key role in the local push to remove books she considers obscene from Denton ISD libraries. Scaggs has challenged dozens of titles, many of which have been challenged in school libraries across the country. Earlier this year, the school board considered a formal grievance made by Scaggs to remove two books about a boy exploring his gender expression from the library shelves at Newton Rayzor Elementary School. The board voted 6-1 to leave the books in the library.

The following candidate profiles, compiled by the Denton Record-Chronicle and completed by the candidates, have been edited lightly for clarity and length.

Early voting begins Monday, April 22, and ends April 30. Election day is 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 4. To find your polling place and sample ballots, visit the Denton County Elections Administration website.

Barbara Burns

Age: 69

Birthplace: Cotulla

Years lived in Denton: 50

Family attending/attended Denton ISD: All three children graduated from Denton schools.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in history, Texas Woman’s University, 1976; master’s degree in history, TWU, 1984

Professional experience: Social studies teacher for 28 years

Website: www.barbarakburns.com

What do you believe should be the top priorities of the school district, and, if elected, how would you advance those priorities?

The top priority is student achievement. Student success depends on our meeting teacher and student needs while engaging parents and community partners.

I will support the professionals who have access to student data in developing lessons for all levels of students and approving a calendar based on 180 instructional days so that Denton ISD has access to state funds for summer programs.

I will support a budget that provides necessary instructional resources. Because the state underfunds both schools and assistance agencies, our district works with community partners to provide food, medical assistance, mental health services and mentoring.

My role is not to micromanage, but rather to allow the experts to find solutions based on district goals. I have visited all 43 campuses to talk with teachers, students, parents, and volunteers so that they know trustees do listen, do care and do act on their concerns in an appropriate manner. I am there to listen, to set policy, to advocate and to lift others up. Everyone must work together to make public schools even better. Students are the future; a quality education enhances our economy and our society.

What influence should parents or guardians have in school operations and curriculum, and how will you navigate their requests or concerns?

Parents and guardians are key components to a child’s success, which is why parents are encouraged to join the PTA, to volunteer and to develop relationships with teachers and principals.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills are set by the state, the State Board of Education approves the curriculum, and teachers — through training and collaboration — develop appropriate lessons to meet state standards.

Teachers communicate with parents and guardians so they know what is being taught. Parents have the right to ask for alternative assignments if they think a book selection or topic is not appropriate for their children. Denton ISD, like other public schools, offers many choices for students, and parents are part of the decision-making — whether it is choosing dual language, dual credit, Advanced Placement, the International Baccalaureate program, a career/technology path, fine arts, athletics or a transfer to another school within the district.

Parents have input as schools in our fast-growth district are rezoned. Staff present options at community meetings and seek parent feedback, which is usually incorporated into the plan. Parents serve on bond committees and help decide the future needs of the district. Parent involvement is needed and encouraged.

Given the challenges public schools face with funding, how would you allocate resources to strengthen teacher retention and classroom and student support?

As schools continue to operate on 2019 funding levels with spiraling inflation, Denton ISD has plans to protect the classroom.

Hiring quality teachers is key. Data indicates that better trained teachers who understand curriculum and classroom management are more likely to stay. Hiring strong teachers helps veteran teachers who then spend less time mentoring.

Denton ISD has partnered with the University of North Texas for a second year of an internship program. UNT students spend the entire year with master teachers. The intern is better prepared, and students receive more help. Denton also has a “grow-your-own” program where students who have gone through the teacher career training in high school are hired as teachers upon college graduation; the district employs about 50 such success stories. The district encourages paraprofessionals to pursue a degree.

Recognizing that teacher needs must be met before educators can properly meet the needs of students, the district has implemented benefits, such as providing its own health insurance because of high state premiums, opening a wellness clinic for employees and their families, and providing a high-quality child care facility. Praising and honoring teachers who help students succeed, in spite of limited resources and increasing demands, is vital.

Debi Scaggs

Age: 58

Birthplace: Fort Worth

Years lived in Denton: 45

Family attending/attended Denton ISD: Five grown children attended; one grandchild attending.

Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts Un,iversity of North Texas, 1991; cosmetology certification, North Central Texas College, 1994; certification in cosmetology instruction, NCTC, 2011

Professional experience: Church leadership and volunteer, 25 years; adjunct instructor in cosmetology at NCTC, 2011-13

Website: Debi4DentonISD.com

What do you believe should be the top priorities of the school district, and, if elected, how would you advance those priorities?

The primary role of the public school system is to educate the children of our community. Therefore, we should prioritize addressing the learning deficits indicated by the STAAR test results, which revealed shockingly low test scores that were trending low years before COVID lockdowns.

This must be a priority before students fall further behind. Trustees could pull together a committee of teachers and curriculum specialists to investigate what is the root cause and devise a plan to increase student learning.

In addition, an investigation into our budget is needed to cut out unnecessary spending and align expenses with the existing funds. The district must work toward a budget based on district funding that is certain, not anticipated funds from the state. While inflation has exacerbated the problem, we have dealt with inflated cost for the past three years with no additional funds from the state. The district must stay within their spending parameters and use taxpayer funds responsibly instead of erecting elaborate school builds and stadiums or installing medical clinics in our schools. We are not the Department of Health; we are the Department of Education.

What influence should parents or guardians have in school operations and curriculum, and how will you navigate their requests or concerns?

With the many varying ideas of parents as to what children should learn and not learn in school, sticking with foundational subject matter should appeal to every parent. However, when there is a discrepancy with the curriculum, parents should feel welcome to approach the board and have their concerns heard. Many parents have expressed feelings of not being heard by this board and their concerns being ignored. Following up with concerned parents via email or conference to discuss a resolution is the only reasonably considerate thing to do.

Parents are also taxpayers and should have influence in how their tax dollars should be spent in the public school system. A town hall-like meeting when discussing budgetary topics would give parents and stakeholders an opportunity for input and participation in the operations of the school district.

Given the challenges public schools face with funding, how would you allocate resources to strengthen teacher retention and classroom and student support?

The concern voiced by teachers is not about inadequate funding, it is about problematic discipline in the classroom and hallways. Teaching is less enjoyable and there is less support from administration. Some of our best teachers are retiring early for this reason. Our students and district suffer.

Teachers need administration to step in and work with repeated behavioral issues from struggling students, bringing the parents in to solve such challenges. Otherwise, the learning environment is compromised and students cannot reach their academic potential.

Teachers enter this profession less for the salary, focused on their love of children and the learning that occurs. Yet, instructors have bills to pay, too. A merit-based program would boost morale and teacher excellence, awarding effective teaching skills with bonuses and pay raises. Such a program would be a draw for teachers to our district.

Reducing new building construction costs and combining job descriptions for non-teachers could go a long way toward funding this reward program. Our excellent teachers deserve more than a certificate and a “stay-cation” at a local hotel. Retaining seasoned, proven teachers in our schools, who also mentor new teachers, should improve student learning, evidenced by higher testing scores.