Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

We have four children in SMCISD, and they have attended four SMCISD schools over the years. My husband teaches at SMHS. We are very invested in this district. When it comes time to vote, we consult our values. Over the past six years, we have accumulated plenty of evidence that Anne Halsey fights for our values.

We value small class size, individualized attention, and a robust curriculum. Anne Halsey has worked to increase the number of Specials teachers, to decrease class size, and helped create the Dual Language Program in our schools. We value taking care of all members of our community. Anne Halsey has helped implement universal free lunches, expand funding for Bonham Pre-K, and reduce the tax burden on home owners. (This may appear to be a contradiction, but she knows that when we seek federal funding for programs, all community members stand to gain.) We value supporting our teachers, knowing that our students learn best when our teachers are at their best. Anne Halsey has consistently advocated for and given voice to the needs of teachers.

During the pandemic, our value of safety became the most critical. At the same time, safety became dizzyingly complex. Anne Halsey has consistently untangled these issues and asked the right questions: how best to keep our children safe? How best to keep our teachers safe? What is the CDC recommendation for masks and ventilation, and can we implement creative solutions? Is federal funding available so that we don’t burden our taxpayers? What kind of mental health burden is being placed on our students? None of these have simple answers. Navigating these questions requires leaders who are well-informed, use sound judgment, coordinate with other community members, and communicate clearly with the public. Anne Halsey has answered these questions of safety with the expertise, sound judgment, and courage that SMCISD has needed this past year.

We need leaders who bring the right value system to the most unpredictable situations. Based on her track record from the past six years, my husband and I put our trust in Anne Halsey.

Sincerely,

Betseygail Fraserrand

San Marcos