\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDeclining enrollment, fiscal oversight and technology\u2019s role in the classroom were some of the many topics discussed at an April 1 forum hosted by the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership featuring three of the candidates running for Clear Creek ISD board of trustees Positions 2 and 3.<\/p>\n
Early voting runs April 20-28, and election day is May 2.<\/p>\n
Position 2<\/p>\n
For this race, incumbent Jamieson Mackay is facing special education teacher Ernest Hallman.<\/p>\n
Mackay said he is seeking reelection to continue serving the district and advocating for public education. During the discussion, he emphasized academic rigor<\/a> as a key concern among community members.<\/p>\n \u201cParents want a more rigorous curriculum. As I said before, I’m glad that [the district] has made that one of our top priorities,\u201d Mackay said. \u201cWe want that to go down all the way to the elementaries.\u201d<\/p>\n Hallman said he is running to prioritize students who may be underserved by the current education system.<\/p>\n Hallman pointed to potential education gaps as students transition to secondary education.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t think that’s the fault of any educator. I don’t think that’s the fault of any parent,\u201d Hallman said. \u201cI just think we need to look at the curriculum and see if we can add things that will better prepare students for secondary education and the workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n During the discussion, he emphasized teacher retention as it directly ties to student enrollment.<\/p>\n \u201cMy top two priorities would be teacher retention and student enrollment. I believe they go hand in hand,\u201d Hallman said. \u201cIt’s hard to keep quality teachers when we have less students enrolling.\u201d<\/p>\n Mackay said that declining enrollment<\/a> was the most significant challenge the district will face over the next three years.<\/p>\n \u201cI really want to get this right,\u201d Mackay said. \u201cIf we don’t address this, we’re going to end up having to make really tough decisions that the community is not going to enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n Click here to read Community Impact’s Q&A for Position 2<\/a>.<\/p>\n Position 3<\/p>\n For this race, incumbent Arturo Sanchez will face teacher Gabriel Gonzales.<\/p>\n Sanchez, director of the External Relations Office at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center, was unable to attend the forum due to scheduling conflicts related to the Artemis II launch<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gonzales said he is running to support public education<\/a> and ensure every student has the necessary resources to succeed.<\/p>\n