Here’s our recommendation for voters in Fort Worth ISD’s south Fort Worth district
Voters in the school system’s District 8 have a trustee with long-range leadership potential who understands the district’s challenges. Anael Luebanos has earned a second term.
In our interview, Luebanos offered a sensible approach to the challenges borne of the pandemic. He encourages a return to in-person instruction as much as possible and wants the district to provide longer, intensive attention for students falling behind. He’s upfront about the need to engage parents and families with more flexibility, as well as the urgency to recruit volunteers to help with tutoring.
Luebanos, a 36-year-old accountant, is the school board’s secretary, and he could eventually serve as president.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHey, who is behind these endorsements?
Members of the Editorial Board, which serves as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s institutional voice, decide candidates and positions to recommend to voters. The members of the board are: Cynthia M. Allen, columnist; Steve Coffman, editor and president; Bud Kennedy, columnist; Ryan J. Rusak, opinion editor; and Nicole Russell, opinion writer.
Members of our Community Advisory Board may also participate in candidate interviews and offer their views, but they do not vote on which candidate to recommend.
Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
How does the process work?
The Editorial Board interviews candidates, asking about positions on issues, experience and qualifications, and how they would approach holding the office for which they are running. Board members do additional research on candidates’ backgrounds and the issues at hand. After that, members discuss the candidates and generally aim to arrive at a consensus, though not necessarily unanimity. All members contribute observations and ideas, so the resulting editorials represent the board’s view, not a particular writer.
How do partisanship and ideology factor in?
We’re not tied to one party or the other, and our positions on issues range across the ideological spectrum. We tend to prefer candidates who align with our previously stated positions, but qualifications, temperament and experience are important, too.
District 8, which covers much of south Fort Worth, was roiled by the school district’s recent attendance realignment, particularly a proposal to route more Rosemont residents to South Hills High rather than Paschal or O.D. Wyatt. Luebanos’ challenger, Brianna Guerrero, criticized the incumbent’s handling of the issue. Luebanos said the district did its best to hold meetings and use social media to give parents a say. Ultimately, it’s an issue on which it’s impossible to satisfy everyone.
Guerrero, a 22-year-old college student, shows promise as a future leader. She’s studying to be an educator, and it wouldn’t surprise us if she eventually makes it to the school board.
For now, though, she needs more seasoning as a candidate. For instance, she blasted the current board for “side deals” among members to meet political needs. There’s no doubt that kind of thing happens, but Guerrero couldn’t detail a specific one. To level that charge, a candidate must be able to back it up.
Luebanos is the right choice for District 8.
Early voting starts April 19, and Election Day is May 1. The winner of the unpaid position will serve a four-year-term.