Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

I strongly support public education, institutions for higher education and our schools for career and technical training. We should provide high-quality education opportunities for Texas students so that they will be competitive in our workforce and have the best chance of success. All Texas children deserve the opportunity to live up to their fullest educational potential, and our public schools and teachers are a key ingredient to making that possible. I am a product of the Texas public schools, and I know this served me well in my life. My Amarillo ISD public school teachers taught me well and prepared me for my future. My children attended public schools and have gone on to attend Texas public universities. The education opportunities our community provides will help our region grow and remain economically robust. Amarillo College, Frank Phillips College, West Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Amarillo all enrich the Panhandle by educating generation after generation of students.

I will continue to advocate for changes to our current school finance system so that all districts are treated fairly regardless of where they are located and regardless of their size. Further, equitable funding also makes sense in our modern mobile society. A child educated in one area of our state will likely grow up to become a business owner, nurse, plumber, or engineer in another community. Thus, we must ensure that our career technology and vocational programs are emphasized like college readiness is today.

While I strongly support public schools, I also fully support the rights of parents to determine what type of education they believe is best for their own children -- whether public, charter, private, parochial, or home school.

Education dollars, wisely spent, are the best resources for generating economic development, reducing crime, promoting self-reliance, and building a strong and competitive Texas for future generations.

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