Fort Worth school board District 4 candidates in May 7 election
Brian J. Dixon
Age: 41
Occupation: Child Psychiatrist
Education: BA Psychology Baylor University; MD Texas A&M College of Medicine; Triple Board Residency University of Kentucky
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)
Ran and withdrew from District 8 in 2019
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held):
Board Member - Alliance Child & Family Solutions; Board Member - Lena Pope; President - Historic Southside Neighborhood Association (2018-2020)
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Why are you seeking this office?
We stand at an impasse. Between the effects of COVID, racial reconciliation, and health/wealth disparity, Fort Worth has a unique opportunity to invest in their children and educational workforce to build future leaders. My unique background in mental health and entrepreneurship would complement the Board as we hire the next superintendent and set strategic goals.
What are the biggest challenges facing your district?
Executing a clear and focused plan to improve reading scores and graduation rates while we live in a stressed out, burned out, compassion fatigued society. Fort Worth and District 4 are not immune to the sociopolitical stressors affecting every neighborhood across America.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1. Improving reading rates. 2. Supporting (both retaining and recruiting) teachers. 3. Choosing a Superintendent who understands turnaround and can execute the Board’s strategic goals.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
As a child psychiatrist, we get things done. We are liaisons between physical and mental, public and private, local and national. We use creativity to build individual plans and we use public policy to improve our society. Lastly, as an entrepreneur, I know the power of budgets and importance of making payroll. Building operational processes and workflows are my strength.
The current superintendent will be leaving his position in August. What characteristics will you be looking for in a new district leader?
Fort Worth’s new superintendent must be an integrator and executor. Translating the Board of Trustees’ strategic goals and then implementing them is a tall order but necessary. The new superintendent should have a firm grasp of organizational management (getting the “right butts in the right seats”) and understand how to build internal metrics to hold each person accountable to their role(s) and the community they serve.
Trischelle A. Strong
Age: 22
Occupation: Officer
Education: O.D. Wyatt High School 2017
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)
No
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held):
Community Engagement, I9 Sports. Read2Win, and feeding the homeless.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Why are you seeking this office?
I’m seeking this office to not only make a difference in my community, but also I want to carry this district into the new millennium. I want to rebuild the trust in the community with our district leaders, and community residents. I’m a product of district 4 therefore I’m aware, and can relate to most of the obstacles that today’s students are facing…I just wannabe proof that good things can come from District 4.
What are the biggest challenges facing your district?
Equity, and resources.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Early Childhood Development & Literacy, Community Closet, and CTE.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
Voters should choose me because I’ve walked this path as a student therefore I’m more relatable.
The current superintendent will be leaving his position in August. What characteristics will you be looking for in a new district leader?
I’m looking for a superintendent that is more involved with the students, and teachers instead of sitting behind a desk all day.
Wallace Bridges
www.bridgingthepossibilities.com
Age: 63
Occupation: Community Liaison
Education: TCC
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought)
Yes
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held):
President of Historic Southside Community, VZG PTA
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Why are you seeking this office?
When I moved to Fort Worth in 1992, I found a community that I loved and shared values with. In 1997 I bought my first house in 76104. My wife and I raised our children here. We sent them to Fort Worth ISD schools because we believe in them. Right now our schools are struggling. Only 24% of our 3rd Grade students are reading at level. For 4th grade math, it is 19%. This is unacceptable. I am running because we need a school board member who will focus on our children’s education and dedicate themselves to ensure that all our children receive an equitable and quality education they deserve.
What are the biggest challenges facing your district?
The biggest challenges facing the communities that makeup District 4 are all connected to student achievement. Our schools and the neighborhoods that surround them are challenged with the reality that our students are not succeeding. Right now our schools are struggling. Only 24% of our 3rd Grade students are reading at level. For 4th grade math, it is 19%. At the same time there is an ongoing disconnect between our schools and the neighborhoods they serve and that is creating barriers to building an environment where education is prioritized and our students are encouraged to embrace learning. Student success is built on a foundation of strong schools and neighborhoods.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1) Improve Student Reading & Math Scores - Right now our schools and students are struggling. Only 24% of our 3rd Grade students are reading at level. For 4th grade math, it is 19%. This is unacceptable and I am committed to focusing on student success and ensuring all our students have the opportunity to learn.2) Building Strong School Communities - Strong neighborhoods build strong schools. I will use my successful career as a community organizer, neighborhood association president, and PTA president to build strong PTA’s and neighborhood support for all our schools, families, & students.3) Ensure Our Schools Receive The Support They Deserve - Our students, teachers, and schools need their fair share of resources to ensure that they can succeed. I will work to ensure that our schools receive the resources and support they need to ensure our students have academic success and are prepared for their futures.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I have lived in this community since 1997. I am a dad, husband, homeowner, resident, PTA President, President of the Historic Southside Neighborhood Association, and spent my career as a community organizer helping the children of our local neighborhoods. My kids have and continue to attend Fort Worth ISD schools. I understand the issues we face as a community and I am vested in our success. My experience in building strong neighborhood support for our schools provides me with the experience and understanding to fully address the issues our students and schools are facing. My record is built on proven community engagement and this makes me the best candidate to meet the needs of District 4 students and families.
The current superintendent will be leaving his position in August. What characteristics will you be looking for in a new district leader?
First I believe we need a superintendent with a proven record of success in addressing the needs of an urban school district like Fort Worth ISD. I believe that our children, families, teachers, and administrators deserve to have someone who can immediately step in and make an impact on issues that are most important to us.
I also believe that we need a superintendent that has proven to be able to enter a new space and connect with the community they are serving. We need someone who can come to Fort Worth and feel comfortable engaging in neighborhood discussions across all communities. Every school neighborhood deserves to be heard and engaged and we need a superintendent who will be committed to that grassroots level of engagement.
