From a slate of strong school board choices, here’s our recommendation for District 9
Voters in Fort Worth ISD’s District 9 have a rare treat in front of them: A slate full of good choices.
Lawyer Cade Lovelace, marketing consultant Roxanne Martinez and police veteran Michael Shedd each would bring valuable skills and ideas to the school board. We give the edge to Martinez, based on her experience with District 9’s schools and focus on improving educational equality throughout FWISD.
The candidates, in our interviews, highlighted the need for significant gains in student achievement throughout the district. Martinez, 40, showed the most sweeping knowledge of the sprawling District 9, highlighting its broad range of campuses, including schools of choice. She wants to find ways to replicate what the “bright spots” in the district do well. And she acknowledged that middle and high schools need to greatly improve.
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.
Lovelace, 41, also demonstrates deep engagement with the district. He offered a sobering assessment of what it will take to make up for the COVID-19 learning slide afflicting so many Fort Worth students, from more funding directed to the classroom to additional school time. He notes, too, that the district needs to find more ways to compete for children whose families are opting for suburbs or charter schools, as well to keep businesses engaged in the district’s success.
The district’s competitiveness is a focal point for Shedd as well. The-52-year-old deputy Fort Worth police chief says he’s seen firsthand how FWISD graduates are underprepared for careers or college. Voters who want to turn up the heat on Superintendent Kent Scribner and his administration over slow student achievement gains might find his message compelling.
Each would serve the district well. But Martinez’s experience with its schools, focus on equity and potential status as a representative for underserved communities puts her over the top.
Early voting starts April 19, and Election Day is May 1. If no candidate gets more than half the votes, a runoff election featuring the two top finishers would follow. The winner will serve a four-year-term in the unpaid position, replacing trustee Ashley Paz, who chose not to seek re-election.
This story was originally published April 4, 2021 at 7:07 AM.