An exceptional educational environment that is balanced with unique opportunities is imperative while emphasizing the importance of mental and social health in our changing society. My focus moving forward will continue to include: As we look to the future, my goal is to strengthen our outreach to Austin by building our relationships with state elected officials and keeping them informed of our districts interests. With two decades of working in technology for multimillion dollar brands and startups, Alex knows what truly drives a collaborative transformation and success in a complex organization. It has been an honor, for the past six years, to be able to work alongside such an amazing leadership team and committed group of educators. Defending a side at all costs will not bring healing and understanding. My decision to run for PISD School Board did not come lightly. He stepped down last month after he was arrested and charged with indecency with a child. Chris Kern was the only candidate for Council Member Place 3. "It was total shock. Low around 50F. So long Ken Witt, a true friend of Grayson County bowhunters, Fishings a lot like baseball; you can strike out. "If you make an appointment, you are making a mistake," one parent said. Kern is a board member of Cornerstone. The district has been embroiled in another scandal, involving sexual abuse of students, since last August when word got out that a Prosper ISD bus driver had been arrested in May for molesting two elementary school girls for almost a year. "Because the one you appointed as president was just arrested. Type in your Search Keyword (s) and Press Enter. I look forward to the task of educating and empowering more than 18,000 students in Prosper ISD in preparation for a bright and rewarding future. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Paniagua committed suicide while in custody for continued sex abuse of a child. When asked to identify 3 priority factors on my mind as our district continues to grow, know that Im mindful of: Our son is currently in the 3rd grade. I have seen such an awful division among the community. Proud wife and mother to four children; three currently in PISD schools and an adult daughter who is an accomplished middle school science teacher, Graduated from Concordia State University with a BA in Business Management. We were living in Cedar Hill at the time. There was an issue submitting your request. Success! The We Are Prosper. racist or sexually-oriented language. Everything wed heard about Prosper ISD sounded great. The Prosper ISD school board unanimously elected Debra Smith as board president and Kelly Cavender as board vice-president following the resignation of Andrew Wilborn. Myfamily moved to Prosper, from Kansas City,in May 2016,which makes usrepresentative of the influx of great families making their home on thewest side of the district. Email her with story suggestions at ahenvey@starlocalmedia.com. Also during the meeting, the board discussed and elected new officers for the remainder of the term. Serve, partner with, and represent parents in this district to ensure childhood success is the top priority for Prosper ISD, Create a roadmap for getting our district back to business as usual, Ensure financial accountability and stewardship of YOUR tax dollars. Have the latest local news delivered to your inbox so you don't miss out on updates. Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/DenaDixonForPISD. "Every incident that occurs here at Prosper just brings everything back to light," Pope said. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Don't knowingly lie about anyone / CBS Texas. person will not be tolerated. Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ChiannaforPISDboard, instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chianna.for.pisd.board.place.2/. A native Texan, Erin grew up in the Houston area and now lives in Collin County. Its why so many people move to our wonderful community. To see candidates and others who spoke at recent school board meetings, click here. A part of welcoming this change will include us warmly embracing new families to our District. Wilborns resignation from Prosper ISD leaves a vacant seat on the seven-member board of trustees. I hope that you decide that the best option for everyone is a special election for Place 7.. I want to find a way for all students to have access if they so choose. Election day is May 1. Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don't miss out on updates. Raised in Richardson, Erin Jones is proud to call North Texas home. Gardeners mailbag: Will foxtail agave plants survive in Texas? My name is Pat Cochrane and I look forward to serving as the next Prosper ISD Board of Trustees in Place 4. The seat for Place 3 will be filled by Cavender, who earned 54% of the vote. This is her second year on staff, and she holds the position of sports editor this year. Incumbent Dena Dixon and Aimee Boots have announced they are running for Place 2, while Jim Herblin and Kurt Kuehn have announced for Place 5, currently held by Debra Smith. The filing window for this position is 101-71 days prior to the election. The girl told investigators Wilborn twice touched her inappropriately. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with friends, family and her dogs. I have a high probability of remaining connected to our district for the foreseeable future and for the right reason. dvelopper et amliorer nos produits et services. In a statement Thursday, Antioch Church said they immediately notified police about the allegations in April and suspended Wilborn during the investigation, which they described as ongoing. The church said they later decided to terminate Wilborns employment. "And you guys have to be about doing the right thing. Its all about our kids; yours and mine. Have the latest local pro sports news delivered every morning so you don't miss out on updates. Aswe grow in numbers,our communitywantsto be open to new inputs andideas while welcomingthe diversity that will make us stronger. When asked why I believe Id be a good fit to serve on our school board, it is fitting that I share my qualifications and background. Prosper ISD School Board Members Board of Trustees meets on the 3rd Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. (unless otherwise publicized) Central Administration Board Room located at 605 E. 7th St., Prosper, TX 75078 President Email: dsmith@prosper-isd.net Debra Smith Place 5 Term 2020 - 2023 Moved to Prosper in November 2002. One way to achieve this is to become a part of the school board. Get the latest Celina sports delivered to your inbox every week. For the past 15 years, Ive served as chief financial officer of a megachurch with a multimillion-dollar budget. Early voting runs April 19-27 No government grants. Additional Election Information The commitment of our teachers and staff is unmatched. The PISDBoardhas an important role in developing the educational vision for the district. Share with Us. I had the privilege of being a member of the board that hired our current outstanding leader, Dr. Holly Ferguson. It's alleged he assaulted two very young girls every morning while they rode his bus. She wrote journalist. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Chemistry from Mississippi Valley State University, Master of Science in Environmental Science from Jackson State University, Master of Business from Texas Womans University and Doctor of Business in Organizational Leadership from Walden University. . Keep in mind, many of the new families moving to the area are attracted to our amazing District. I want to leverage this collaborative and effective leadership experience to help serve my community in the best way possible. I am eager for all residents of Prosper ISD to know that they are valued in our community. Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Following that election, the board will then appoint a president to serve for the next year. High 73F. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. I would greatly appreciate your vote and look forward to working with you and the other PISD Board Trustees. As we approach the upcoming school board election, I want to make sure that you have a thorough understanding of who I am and why I want to serve our Prosper ISD community. The majority of the speakers suggested the board hold a special election to fill Place 7, rather than appoint someone to the seat. Maintaining and strengthening our sense of community has become personally important to me as we have progressed through this campaign season. On Tuesday, several parents were in the board room once again, like James Pope, who said he spoke to Wilborn the night before his arrest. Jeremy Sandusky . Neither the Prosper ISD Board of Trustees nor district administration knew anything about the allegations against Mr. Wilborn until the afternoon of Wednesday, January 25, 2023, after he was arrested. Therefore, the board decided it will appoint a new president with the newly-elected board in May. Then, Smith read a prepared statement: The board along with our community was shocked and disappointed to learn about the allegations made against our former PISD board president. Erin Anderson | He and his wife moved to Prosper for the school district. We'd love to hear eyewitness Keep the lines of communication open with my constituents and help represent their values. Caroline Wilburn, Grace Williamson, Maddie Moats, and Christy EscobarApril 13, 2021. Prosper Strong! Alex has learned from experience that its how well you connect with the heart-beating people youre trying to help and communicate your understanding back to them, is the key ingredient to true success. Election day is May 7. We loved the small town, big heart feel we were welcomed with and were glad to meet so many families aligned to the same values and principles we wanted our boys to grow in. I also have my MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas and my BBA from Texas Tech University, Guns up! Within days of our country being shut down, Prosper ISD offered not only virtual learning to every student, but technology access, equipment, and meals to all who needed them. He is focused on Prosper supporting local businesses. accounts, the history behind an article. Our coverage includes school board member and candidate profiles, noteworthy election issues, district data, and more. Bristol will be sworn in at the May 24 Town Council meeting. I will provide the courageous leadership that will represent YOUR voice on the Prosper ISD Board. My educational background coupled with my working knowledge and board service experience will provide a firm foundation for this role within our amazing school district. ", "Based on previous history of the board, we do not trust you to appoint another person," another parent said. PROSPER, Texas - After a four-hour executive session, the Prosper ISD School Board decided they will not have a special election for Prosper voters to elect a new president. Since that time, I have jumped into being a part of this greatnessby joining all PTA/PTO organizations at my kids schools, plus the one for GT students as well as sports booster clubs. The candidate filing deadline is February 17. As we advocate for our children and invest in them, we must put aside our own agendas and, in some cases, ambitions to do what is in their best interest. Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. You have permission to edit this article. The president of the Prosper Independent School District Board of Trustees was released from the Dallas County Jail early Thursday after his arrest Wednesday for Indecency with a Child. I have decided to run for the Prosper School Board to bring the following major changes in a step-by-step collaborative way: Alex is a Senior Cloud Architect and a technology transformation expert who partners with CEOs, senior executives and principal engineers to grow and transform their organization in the 21stcentury. These challenges were big, but not insurmountable. After four hours in closed executive session, during which several members of the community awaited their return, the board returned to act on items and conclude the meeting. I cannot win this election without your support and your vote. I am the owner of Okae Mobile Document Services, LLC. While volunteering in the district, I saw room for improvement. As I have extensive experience on various boards, I am confident that this will allow for an easy transition onto the PISD School Board. Accountability in SBISD is taken hostage by left-wing partisans. Scandal-plagued Prosper Independent School Districts Board President Drew Wilborn has resigned after being arrested Wednesday for indecency with a child by sexual contact, creating a vacancy that the board must decide how to fill. In Collin County, Linker received 1,709 and Chamblee received 1,963. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. No trustee seconded that motion. Our COVID-19 recovery, specifically as it relates to how this pandemic has impacted our district academically as well as supporting the overall well-being of our students, teachers and staff as we emerge from these unprecedented times. The majority of Prosper parents who spoke during public comment Tuesday wanted a special election. The Town of Prosper is a home rule town with a mayor and six council members who are elected at large for three year terms. Be Proactive. 2023 Prosper Press, a CherryRoad Media Newspaper. First, the board unanimously accepted the resignation of Drew Wilborn. Posted on February 8, 2023 Debra Smith PROSPER (WBAP/KLIF News ) - The Prosper ISD school board elected a new president this week in the wake of the scandalous resignation of former president Andrew Wilborn. Each of us in our own way wants the best for the children in our community. He has since resigned his seat on the board. Early voting is held April 19-27, and is followed by election day May 1. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. There are two main emotions that I see understandably gripping our community right now: anger and fear., Church continued, for the sake of stability and moving toward healing, I would like to ask the board to consider appointing a previously elected board member, someone with previous ISD experience and expertise, or someone who has long-time Prosper ties and holds the best interest of the district and town at heart to fill Place 7 in the interim as the district moves forward with the two upcoming elections as well as opening and staffing four new campuses.. As community representatives, every decision we make should involve thoughtful consideration and care to ensure the best outcome for students, while balancing resources and proving accountability. Drew Wilborn has secured his spot on the Prosper ISD School Board. When she is not working in the newsroom at school, you can probably find her spending time with her dog, Newt. I understand the important of education and making sound decision to ensure all children are value and provide the opportunities to be successful. Ive been a youth coach, school and classroom volunteer, class representative and board member for three high school booster clubs, as well as a substitute teacher within PISD. Posted on February 8, 2023 Debra Smith PROSPER (WBAP/KLIF News ) - The Prosper ISD school board elected a new president this week in the wake of the scandalous resignation of former president Andrew Wilborn. Drew Wilborn has secured his spot on the Prosper ISD School Board. It was about normal stuff about the district and what was going on and the concern," he said. I think we have more than enough qualified candidates for three spots. People stand in line to enter a Prosper ISD board meeting on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in Prosper, Texas . I need your vote. Gardeners mailbag: Will foxtail agave plants survive in Texas?