Arlington school board Seat 5 candidates in May 7 election
Justin Chappa
Age as of May 7, 2022: 39
Occupation: Attorney
Education: Harvard University, B.A. (2005); Stanford Graduation School of Education, M.A. (2010); Stanford Law School, J.D. (2010)
Have you run for election office before (Please list previous office sought):
Yes. Arlington ISD Board of Trustees, Place 5.
List highlights of civic involvement:
I have served on the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees since September 2017. Beyond my work on the AISD Board, I currently serve on the Board of Directors of United Way of Tarrant County.
Prior to my Board service. I served multiple terms on the AISD’s Financial Futures Committee and Citizens Bond Oversight Committees, including a term as Chair of the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee for the AISD’s 2009 Bond Program. I also served on the Capital Needs Steering Committee that helped craft the AISD’s 2014 Bond Program, and I had the privilege to serve on the the Board of Directors of the Arlington ISD Education Foundation, a non-profit that distributes grants to AISD teachers.
Outside of AISD, I frequently speak to high school students about college and career issues. Along with a friend from high school, I co-founded a scholarship for graduating seniors at Sam Houston High School that has awarded about $40,000 since 2007. I previously served on the Boards of Directors of the Arlington Public Library Foundation and of Leadership Arlington, where I helped direct the Youth Leadership Arlington program.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No. I have participated in criminal matters only in my capacity as an attorney.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
Only in my capacity as an attorney or in an official capacity as an Arlington ISD Trustee. I have not been involved in any civil lawsuits or bankruptcy proceedings in a personal capacity.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for school board for the same reason I joined Teach for America and became a teacher after college: to help bring about “the day when all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education,” the ideal that serves as Teach for America’s mission statement. Although I no longer work in the classroom, that ideal has guided me ever since and has inspired me to continue serving in education through AISD citizen committees, education-related nonprofit boards, and youth-focused volunteer organizations.
I also am heavily invested in Arlington. I grew up in East Arlington, am a product of the Arlington ISD, and have kids in the AISD.
What are the biggest challenges facing AISD?
Recovering from the pandemic is the most important issue for AISD (and most districts). AISD needs a comprehensive response that addresses academics, student and staff well-being, and mitigates further learning loss. There are many measures already underway to help in these areas, but to discuss a few: AISD has adopted a five-year program with the goal of exceeding pre-pandemic performance within five years, and there already is strong growth in some areas. AISD has also expanded access to mental health resources, increased access to tutoring, and has launched a universal (free) Pre-K program.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
- Student Academic Achievement Post-Pandemic
- Maintain Competitive Compensation for AISD Staff\
- Successfully Implement $966 million 2019 Bond Program and Universal Pre-K Initiative
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
My background as a parent, attorney, classroom teacher, and first-generation college graduate allows me to bring a unique viewpoint to the table.
By day (and often night), I serve my clients as an advocate, often in disputes against—ironically—government regulators, mostly in federal courts and in nonpublic proceedings. So I am sensitive to the possibilities and limitations of government. While in law school, I worked in an education-related legal clinic advocating for special-needs students involved in disputes with school districts, and I also earned an MA in Education. But before I went to law school, I taught 12th Grade Government and Economics in the Rio Grande Valley. This gives me an appreciation of how Board decisions can affect students and educators. I also have a history of service in education-related nonprofit boards and youth-focused volunteer organizations, giving me insight into education from a community member’s perspective. Finally, I have the perspective of a public-school parent, as my three kids each attend AISD schools.
These experiences inform my work on the Board and help me serve as an effective advocate for the diverse constituencies that make up AISD. My opponent, Mr. Kelly Burke, has no experience in public education, as a public school parent, with education policy, or with AISD. Mr. Burke is focused on hot-button political topics that have little to no relevance to the actual issues facing educators and students and that would make our schools into battlegrounds in the culture wars. If that happens, it will be our kids and community that loses.
Kelly R. Burke
Age as of May 7, 2022: 39
Occupation: Biz Owner
Education: College/ Seminary
Have you run for election office before (Please list previous office sought):
Arlington Mayor 2021
List highlights of civic involvement:
Ordained Minister since 2005, serving the community through outreach and local mission work. I also sit on the Board of Alliance for Children.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
Class C misdemeanor under one ounce of Marijuana & Trademark Counter Fit, charge was from selling t shirt’s that said Rangers not Texas Rangers.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No.
Why are you running for this office?
I believe Our nation has failed our kids in the education department. Teachers need a voice, parents need to be represented and the future of our kids matter. This is my calling to stand for those who’s voice may not be hard loudly.
What are the biggest challenges facing AISD?
- Low overall performance as a district.
- The learning curve from Covid 19.
- The Violence in our schools.
- And the overload of responsibilities laid on our teachers.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
- To lighten the load from some of the role’s our teachers have to play.
- Work closely with teachers’ and principles to get our kids past this learning curve.
- Stop the violence in our schools & tighten up the budget.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I am just an average man citizen just like you, that is concerned with the future of our kids and our nation. My experience in building two successful companies, has taught me how to balance a tight budget. Manage bottom line profit and get a return on investment with razor thin profit margins. I am father of four, husband Christain and a man that loves history and our Country. I understand that education on any level is a valuable asset to our youth. My life experiences have well prepared me for this seat, I have a unique set of communication skills. If I am elected this would be a great example to our youth that anyone can beat the odds and become successful.