Q & A with DSISD Board Candidate Stephanie Holzendorf
Why did you decide to run for school board?
I believe that it is a time for change. The district needs financial responsibility, transparency, trust and oversight from the trustees of the DSISD school board..
What qualifiers in your background do you believe make you the best candidate?
I have been very active in the community for the 24 years I have lived in the district. I have served on the Dripping Springs Founders Day Commission and have served as past board members of Friends of the Pound House, Friends of the Dripping Springs Library, and DSYSA. I am a member of the Dripping Springs Methodist Church where I taught Sunday School for 10+ years. I am an active member and past president/vice president/treasurer of the Dripping Springs Cook Off Club.
What are your priorities beginning in May if elected?
To bring spending under control: focus on education; ensure transparency and trust to members of the district.
Do you have any students in the district? Please also tell us about your family.
My son started in kindergarten at Dripping Springs and continued in the Dripping Springs School District through graduation (2011).
How long have you lived in or been a part of the Dripping Springs community?
My husband. spn and I have lived in the district for 24 years.
What other local organizations are you involved in or volunteer at?
I am currently involved with the Dripping Springs Cook Off Club that I have been a member or officer of for over 10 years. I have volunteered for many organizations including Friends of the Pound House, Friends of the Library, Dripping Springs Youth Sports Association and the Dripping Springs Methodist Church.
How do you feel about the way DSISD has handled the pandemic, i.e. protocols, restrictions, closed campuses, virtual meetings?
The pandemic has been hard aon all and it was a learning process for everyone. It was handled as best it could; however communication to parents could have been better and getting children back in school could have occurred sooner than it did.
What are your thoughts on transparency within school boards and decision-making, and do you believe DSISD has been transparent enough? Why or why not?
School board decisions should be very transparent and I understand that by law some decisions cannot be made in open meetings; however, in my opinion the only decisions that members of the district should not be allowed to hear are personnel matters. The decisions made by the school board for those they represent should be transparent.
Is there anything else you'd like to include that you were not asked?
The trustees on the school board are elected and they should always keep the best interests of the students, teachers and members of the district as top priority. They are responsible for the taxpayer dollars and should always be financially responsible and conservtive when deciding where the money should be spent.