McKinney PTA Forum Draws Democratic Candidates, No Republicans Attend

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

McKINNEY — Public school funding, teacher retention and special education were among the main issues Wednesday night at a McKinney Council of PTAs candidate forum where Democratic candidates answered questions while no Republican candidates attended.

All candidates were invited

McKinney Council of PTAs President Heather Ramsey addressed the absences before the forum began.

Ramsey said the PTA hosted the event as a nonpartisan public service and that all qualified candidates in the races represented had been formally invited multiple times.

“We called and left messages, we sent multiple emails. We reached out through Facebook. We did the work,” Ramsey said.

She said candidates who were absent either were unable to participate or chose not to, but all were given an equal opportunity to attend.

The forum was moderated by McKinney Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lisa Hermes. Candidates received timed introductions and answered questions from the moderator. Audience questions were not taken during the forum.

Among those participating were Evan Hunt, Democratic nominee for Texas’ 3rd Congressional District; Brittany Black, Democratic candidate for Texas House District 61; Jordan Wheatley, Democratic candidate for House District 67; and Angie Caraway, Democratic candidate for House District 89.

How should Texas fund its schools?

Candidates were asked to name their top priorities for improving public education and whether Texas schools receive enough funding.

Black summarized her approach in three parts.

“Invest in schools, invest in students and invest in teachers,” she said.

Black criticized the state’s school voucher program and argued that the basic student allotment has not kept pace with rising costs. She also challenged how her Republican opponent has described recent education funding.

“I think I’ve heard that my opponent was bragging about having the highest funding ever that she voted yes on, and it was a $55 increase in student allotment,” Black said.

Black said $55 was not enough after years of rising costs and argued that districts continue paying for teachers, buses, utilities and buildings regardless of daily attendance.

Wheatley, a current public school teacher, said Texas should move from funding schools based on attendance to a system based on enrollment.

He said schools still have the same basic expenses when students miss class.

Wheatley also described conditions in his own classroom. He said budget constraints resulted in him taking on third grade instruction in addition to the fourth grade class he began the year teaching.

During a later discussion about students needing academic interventions and special education services, Wheatley said schools do not have enough staff or resources.

“We need help,” Wheatley said. “And we need resources now, not tomorrow.”

Teachers and education policy

Caraway, who has spent 15 years in public education, also called for enrollment based funding, a higher basic student allotment and changes to the state’s recapture system.

She argued that teachers should have a larger role in decisions affecting classrooms.

“Trust us to know what’s best for kids,” Caraway said. “We’re in the classroom with them every single day.”

Caraway also questioned why classroom experience is not required for members of the State Board of Education.

“I want 10 years in the classroom,” she said. “I’ll settle for five.”

During her closing remarks, Caraway contrasted her record as a teacher with her Republican opponent.

She pointed to her work teaching constitutional amendments and her opposition to requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms.

Earlier in the forum, Caraway said the Ten Commandments requirement had become personal for her as a social studies teacher.

On religious instruction, Caraway said, “I’m a Christian. I think that teaching should be done at home.”

Hunt argues for a federal role

Hunt said strong public schools are tied not only to education but to the country’s workforce and long-term stability.

“You need an educated populace to function, to work as teams, to build the future,” Hunt said.

A retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, Hunt called public education “a national security issue” and said federal funding remains important for programs including school meals, special education and gifted education.

He also argued that local districts should remain in control of their schools while Washington provides support.

“I think the schools are the bedrocks of our communities,” Hunt said.

“The state and the federal government, I believe, are basically there just to support, not give you a bunch of unfunded mandates,” he said.

Hunt said a member of Congress should advocate for local districts and work to bring federal resources back to the communities paying those taxes.

No Republican candidates attend

The empty seats came up again during Hunt’s closing remarks.

“There’s power in showing up,” Hunt said. “Sometimes half the battle’s just showing up.”

Hunt then criticized Self and other Republicans for not participating.

“Sadly, we’ve reached this stage where Republicans are frightened to stand and be accountable to public school parents, and public school teachers, and public school organizations,” Hunt said.

The forum closed after questions on school funding, teacher retention, retirement and special education, with only the Democratic candidates in those races participating.