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Allen Voters Guide 2012: Alan Hurst (Allen ISD Place 2)
Alan Hurst
From staff reports
The Allen American sent identical questionnaires to this year's Allen ISD Board of Trustees candidates to find out where they stand on the most important issues facing the district. Below is Place 2 candidate Alan Hurst's response.
What do you believe to be the three most important issues currently facing the district?
The three most important issues as I understand them are state funding, student testing, local tax rates.
AISD is addressing the funding issue through litigation. Lobbying our elected officials is an important approach to this issue. AISD must continue to focus on kids education and not just teaching the state test. Because state funding is so uncertain, the board of trustees must do a good job of fiscal responsibility, balance tax rates and other revenue sources with debt and non-instructional expenses.
What makes you qualified to perform the duties associated with this position?
I am in a management role in my profession, and I bring that experience to the table. I have been involved over the last 7+ years in volunteering my time to kids of Allen and other local suburbs. I am involved at Cheatham Elementary, coaching local recreation leagues, Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church kids programs and President of my HOA. This community experience is valuable, also. I love kids and our community, and care deeply about what's best for both. I want to offer new leadership to our school district that preserves and improves what is good, while adding experience and skill to navigate our way through difficult issues."
One of the most highly charged issues in the district right now is the controversial 113,000-square-foot service center project. Do you believe the district should continue its plans to construct the facility? Why or why not?
Even though bond sales for this project were approved by voters, the board has discretion about the timing of this indebtedness. I'm not sure this is the right time to take on more debt as our student rate continues to increase. I'm still waiting on published reports about storm water runoff, EPA studies, cost savings from decoupling and dates for surrounding roads such as Watters and Bossy Boots to be expanded. I am not confident that we have captured all the potential costs for this work. I prefer to have all the facts first before hurrying into a decision. We need to make sure we spend the Allen taxpayers money wisely.
Last year, the Texas Legislature cut funding to public schools by $5 billion. The successful Tax Ratification Election last year allowed the district to bridge the funding gap created by these cuts. Do you believe this was an adequate solution to the problem?
I understand this to be a temporary solution. This is the maximum tax rate allowed by law. So, until there is a change in the way state funding is allocated, we have limited options to generate more revenue. A part of the solution must include reducing our debt and controlling non-instructional expenses. Allen ISD needs to continue to get lean and mean on budgets without affecting teachers jobs or quality of instruction to our kids.
What other solutions do you see for the school funding issue?
We should explore every opportunity to generate rental income from our facilities. I'd like to see AISD reach out to local business for help with mentoring and volunteering time to free up other district resources.
Are there any new initiatives, programs or services you will try to implement if you are elected?
I would like to see us do better at communicating with the public in matters like the service center before we make commitments to purchase property or start construction. AISD has spent too much time explaining and defending its decision. This won't be the last controversial decision. At some point, we will have to deal with redistricting issues similar to what happened recently in Plano. I think we can avoid expensive and time-consuming controversies with better communication. AISD needs to make sure we are using the best technology and instructional delivery methods to our kids.
Why should voters elect you to serve on the AISD Board of Trustees?
I have experience in business and community service. I have a personal interest in the schools since my two sons have another 7-9 years in Allen schools. I am talking about issues that I'm not hearing from other candidates. I believe I can be a leader on the board and a valuable voice for the community.
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