Candidates for the Victoria Independent School District (VISD) Board of Trustees District 6 seat in the May 3 election spoke on their views on pressing topics and future goals for the school district at the recent University of Houston-Victoria Election Forum. Voters were presented with very different opinions from the incumbent and the challenger.
VISD Board of Trustees Vice President Margaret Pruett and candidate Andy Rokovich spoke on a variety of topics relating to the district, including the expansion of Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Credit and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
With years of experience, Pruett spoke about VISD’s current push to expand AP, Dual Credit and CTE offerings and involvement across the district. She mentioned the increase in student involvement and the district’s need to offer courses aligned with the desires of the community.
“We have had children receive certificates in American welding, 42 of them, 93 in entrepreneurship and small businesses, 37 in floral design,” Pruett said. “We are growing. We are getting CTE certificates that the community is asking for.”
Rokovich emphasized the need for CTE expansion, specifically for courses and trades he views as important to the community. He believes VISD should embrace CTE courses in agriculture.
Rockovich embraces an increase in career education offerings but does not believe certain current programs were implemented with proper oversight.
“We have a college, career and military readiness score that’s based upon floral design,” Rokovich said. “I’m all for career ready and college ready, but it has to be something pertinent. We can’t just rely on any and every class. We need to rely on what will help our community.”
When questioned on the perceived effectiveness of restorative discipline in schools, Rokovich vehemently opposed the approach. He claimed the practice is not effective and teachers are overwhelmed by constant classroom disruptions. Rokovich is a strong supporter of dedicated alternative schools for students who require “structural behavioral intervention” to be successful.
Pruett mentioned VISD’s current alternative school, the Disciplinary Alternative Educational Program (DAEP), that is designed for district students who display issues with discipline. The students who are sent to DAEP receive guidance and support and their parents are given tolls to support positive behavior at home.
Pruett emphasized the importance of home discipline and mentioned VISD Connections, a center that helps parents increase their involvement with their students.
VISD has begun the process of applying for the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program. The candidates for the District 6 seat shared their views on the program. The TIA program would provide additional funds annually to qualifying teachers who meet specific criteria set by a school district.
As a current board member, Pruett helped approve the decision for the district to apply for the TIA program. VISD had not previously pursued the program due to a teacher consensus against it. Pruett is in support of the program as the application process moves forward.
Rokovich questioned why teachers may be leaving the district when discussing the TIA program at the forum. He pointed toward a perceived disadvantage that Senate Bill 26 would hand to VISD, but believes teachers will choose to stay in the district if they are allowed to freely teach.
Senate Bill 26 would give school districts across Texas an annual allotment for employed teachers. Districts with less than 5,000 total students would receive approximately double the amount per teacher than districts with more than 5,000 total students.
VISD is the only district in Region 3 with more than 5,000 students, according to the Texas Education Agency.
Michael Milliorn can be reached at mmilliorn@vicad.com. Send education tips to this email.
