Wimberley ISD Board of Trustees

WV: What do you want to accomplish if elected?

Hale: My ultimate goal is to make sure every W.I.S.D. child feels valued, supported, and confident enough to take risks, try new things, and expand their knowledge in ways that moves them toward fulfilling academic success. Whatever supports that mission - focusing on new ways to evaluate children beyond standardized testing, integrating more arts into our school programs to address the whole child, finding innovative ways to train and fund our teachers so they can lead with joy and confidence - I’m excited to work hard in tandem with the school board and community to accomplish that mission.

WV: What are the biggest changes you think WISD will face in the coming years and how would you address them?

Hale: There’s a big disconnect between what and how children learn now and what children need to learn to be successful in the future. Education created for children of the Industrial Age cannot prepare our children for the Information Age they’re living in. Creativity, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship are at the root of many of tomorrow’s industries. I believe the biggest changes we face will be in preparing our children for the industries of their time. To address that, I would lean hard into innovative and creative solutions that have proven track records in other leading schools, districts, and programs.

WV: Throughout the design, bidding and construction of the new elementary school, what are your priorities and plans for oversight?

Hale: My priorities are to 1) stay committed to the school board and to what the community wants, 2) perhaps advocate for a greener school in simple ways, like implementing rainwater collection, using sustainable building materials, using our marshlands for educational purposes, 3) make the school an aspirational model for future Wimberley schools instead of another concrete box where children sit in rows doing low-grade clerical work. The school should inspire them and their teachers, in multiple ways, to learn and grow as people. Any plan for oversight depends on what’s ultimately decided between school board members based on community input.

WV: What are areas of education that you would like to see implemented or emphasized within the school district for our students?

Hale: More arts integration to complement the robust math and language programs. The research on brain development in children has shown that art integration supports the intellectual growth of the whole child through broad learning opportunities. I would also support a no-homework policy for younger age children, so that time could be spent on things that correlate with student success like fellowship, eating dinner together, playing outside, and getting a good night’s sleep. We should also focus on the most vulnerable among us by ensuring our special needs children and teachers have the necessary resources and evaluation tools for success.

WV: How do you plan to support Wimberley’s teachers and WISD staff?

Hale: Through any and all means necessary. Teachers, aides, and staff should be compensated at the level they deserve. I’m committed to finding innovative ways to do this and to support their continued training. I plan on being a channel between the teachers and staff to the community, whether that’s to impart information or encourage fundraising or other ways we can regularly support the staff so they feel truly valued. I will always lend an ear to Wimberley’s teachers and staff when they have feedback, and respond with compassion and action. As champions for education, they are our greatest resource.

More voting information can be found in the League of Women Voters Special Section included

inside this issue of the Wimberley View