WV: What do you think about the proposal that was detailed in Texas Monthly? How would you have voted?
Deringer: I think the Texas Monthly article exposed weakness in our system. A large change to the way our district operates was being considered without many people in our community knowing about it. The article portrays many behind-the-scenes discussions going on without any community input. WISD needs to consider ways to improve our processes so that the constituents of WISD are best served by the actions of the board. I think two things would help the board better serve the community. First, we need more diversity of thought on the board, we need someone with an educator’s perspective, and we need people who represent all the viewpoints in our community. Second, we need transparency. Think of all of the parents in our district that would have had the education of their children dramatically altered by this decision. What if this behind the scenes plan had moved forward without public knowledge and input? When I am elected, I will advocate for improved transparency and accountability to our WISD community, as well as contribute my expertise and experience as an educator. I am glad that a majority of the current board voted against the proposal and I would have voted against it as well.
WV: What is your opinion on school vouchers in general?
Deringer: I attended Monday’s WISD Board Meeting and it is evident that our district is actively looking for ways to pay our bus drivers, custodial staff, and food service staff more. We are short bus drivers and custodians. A part of this shortage is a lack of competitive pay. All of our faculty and staff deserve to be paid for the invaluable work that they do. I taught public school and Head Start and I strongly support and believe in public education. School vouchers take already scarce funding away from public schools. We need to be open to ideas about how to bring additional funding into our district, but school vouchers would weaken our only public school system in this valley, which would harm Wimberley families. When I am on the board, I plan on putting what is in the best interest of WISD students first.
