Fort Worth school board

President

The Fort Worth school board president serves a four-year term and is unpaid. The president calls to order meetings in which the whole body reaches decisions by a vote. The board's responsibilities include overseeing school management, levying and collecting taxes, setting district policies, overseeing finance, and hiring and evaluating the superintendent of schools.

Candidates are vying to replace Bill Koehler, who is not seeking re-election after serving one term. Financial oversight will be a top issue for the incoming president; Koehler took office in the wake of a $16 million construction kickback scandal and mismanaged bond package. The next president will hold office as the district implements a $593.7 million bond program, approved by voters in November.

Name: Ray Dickerson

Age: 63

City: Fort Worth

Occupation: Banker

Online: none

Background: Dickerson, a graduate of Texas A&M University, is chairman of Citizens National Bank, based in Fort Worth.

About the candidate: This is Dickerson's first run for school board. Dickerson serves on the boards of the Multicultural Alliance, the All Saints Health System Foundation and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. He says he wants to help improve student performance while providing financial oversight as the district moves forward with the bond program. He said his banking background could be an asset.

Name: Chris Hatch

Age: 61

City: Fort Worth

Occupation: Certified public accountant

Online: none

Background: Hatch, who has a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University, represents District 6 in southwest Fort Worth. He has been on the school board for four years and ran in the fall for House District 97.

About the candidate: Before starting an accounting firm, Hatch worked for General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin as a financial specialist, manager and director. Hatch said his financial background and board experience will help the district improve academic performance and oversee financial matters, including the bond program. If he were elected, the district would have to hold a special election to fill his current post through 2010. If he loses, Hatch retains his District 6 seat.

Name: William Winnett

Age: 57

City: Fort Worth

Occupation: Sign manufacturer

Online: none

Background: Winnett graduated from Trimble Tech High School in 1968 and attended what is now Tarrant County College. He has served as an election judge and is seeking his first term on the school board.

About the candidate: Winnett said he is concerned that not enough Fort Worth schools are rated "exemplary" by the state. He says he wants Fort Worth students to compete in a global market. He wants to help improve student performance and reduce truancy. He also wants to keep a close eye on the bond program.

District 1

This is a four-year post, unpaid. District 1 includes Diamond Hill-Jarvis and North Side high schools. Improving the academic standing of schools is a key issue. For example, Diamond Hill-Jarvis is working to improve an "academically unacceptable" rating from the state. The district is heavily Hispanic, so ensuring that schools meet the needs of minority students is a top concern for both candidates. The dropout rate, parent involvement and teacher quality are themes in this race.

Name: Camille Rodriguez (incumbent)

Age: 40

City: Fort Worth

Occupation: Podiatrist

Online: none

Background: Rodriguez, a graduate of Prairie View A&M University, is seeking a second term on the school board.

About the candidate: A member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, she wants to continue adding programs that will help make Fort Worth a "world-class urban school district." She wants to help see the bond program through and work to close achievement gaps. She also wants to ensure that schools meet the needs of Hispanic students, who make up about 56 percent of the student body. Such efforts include learning in English and Spanish.

Name: Carlos Vasquez

Age: 40

City: Fort Worth

Occupation: Educational consultant

Online:www.carlosvasquezcampaign.com

Background: Vasquez, who received a doctorate in educational administration from Baylor University, was a teacher and administrator in Fort Worth district schools for 16 years.

About the candidate: President of the local chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, Vasquez wants to reduce the dropout rate, improve the district's financial accountability and give parents a say in their children's education. He also wants to reduce state mandates and ensure that teachers are not teaching to TAKS. Vasquez was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 1992-93 at Washington Heights Elementary. He was also named Teacher of the Year in 1996-97 by the Fort Worth Association for Bilingual Education.

District 4

Incumbent T.A. Sims is unopposed and will keep his seat until 2012.

District 7

Incumbent Norman Robbins Jr. is unopposed and will keep his seat until 2012.

District 8

Incumbent Juan Rangel is unopposed and will keep his seat until 2012.