Plano ISD Board of Trustees Candidate Questionnaire Place 7: Steven Kravit
What are the top three reasons you want to serve as a Plano ISD School Board Trustee? the kids, the kids, the kids. I love the school district and community and am prepared to serve in a manner that will assure the confidence of the community and responsiveness it deserves. As my children have gotten older and I have become more involved in the community and with PISD, I have grown increasingly concerned about the way some of our trustees make decisions and disregard parent and community input. I am just a concerned dad, and many parents have articulated those very same concerns with PISD. As a result many parents asked me to run. If I am elected I will represent you and all the kids of this district with the following principles: ‐ Provide a safe and secure environment for learning for all students, faculty and administration. ‐ Ensure every teacher has the tools and motivation to provide a great, engaging education. ‐ Make sure each and every available tax dollar is spent to provide an excellent education to every student. ‐ Preparing students for success, explore & support the needs of additional education tracks for all students. Build consensus with all other board members, superintendent and cabinet to engage the community in open and honest conversation. What do you feel are the most important responsibilities of a trustee? Provide educational stewardship for the kids and the community. Make sure that every available dollar that is spent is done so to provide the very best education to every child. What do you see as the top opportunities and challenges in Plano ISD? The opportunities for PLANO ISD to partner and deliver on our promise for our children at every level of education ‐ gifted, on‐level, learning‐challenged and special needs, will take vision, business acumen, joint value creation and cooperation. With or without additional funds, we must prepare students for success by exploring and supporting the needs of all students, not just those that best influence our state rating. Looking at developing academies to focus on career technical/vocational paths, specialty robotic and scientific programs, and computer/IT focused courses would allow students the personalized education they deserve to prepare for their next steps in life. This approach is well documented in other communities and overdue in Plano ISD. While there are significant constraints with the current state‐mandated 4x4 graduation requirements, helping kids find their passion and translate that passion into a meaningful career is what will ultimately make each student successful. P a g e | 1 of 2 Plano ISD Board of Trustees Candidate Questionnaire Place 7: Steven Kravit
Why are you qualified to hold the position of trustee? My 30+ years of domestic and international business experience in meeting payrolls, developing strategic plans, analyzing financial matters and managing hundreds of individuals while also serving on other volunteer boards will be an asset to Plano ISD. Working with kids on a daily basis, hearing what they talk about, how they view what is going on in school and witnessing first hand how every kid learns differently are additional key attributes I will bring to the Board. Lastly, both the ability and desire to listen to my constituents. What is the most important thing you want to accomplish if elected? Beyond ensuring every student has the opportunity for an equitable and desirable education, identifying and creating a financial path to independence from the swings of the legislative process is paramount. In the process of accomplishing both of these objectives, I intend to ensure a true cooperative and open communication and working relationship between PISD and our parents, our students, our teachers, our corporate partners and the City of Plano itself. P a g e | 2 of 2