Tom Maynard

Strongly Agree

Mankind was created in the image and likeness of God. Human life is special, begins at the moment of fertilization and must be protected and preserved, excepting death penalty cases in which an individual has committed a heinous crime. When we begin to tear down the moral underpinnings which have historically valued and protected life by adopting humanism we place ourselves in the path of some of history's monstrous criminals.

None. This is not the proper role of a school. Parents have a right and a duty to address these matters without interference from the school.

Strongly Disagree

The Ten Commandments represent the Mosaic Code--the ancient Hebrew Law. The fact that it is part of a religious text is irrelevant. For the sons of Israel, this was the rule of law. We are a people for whom the rule of law is of critical importance. We are a nation of laws, and the commandments represent a very early establishment of the rule of law. It is a moral code that enables people to live together in harmony.

Strongly Agree

We must push back on cancel culture. Students must be able to speak freely in the free marketplace of ideas. Christ following students may have their faith questioned and challenged, but this is how young people learn to think for themselves and articulate their beliefs and why they believe it. This may create some discomfort, but sheltering students from discomfort doesn't make them stronger.

Strongly Disagree

The State Board of Education does not adopt curriculum, but standards--knowledge and skill statements--which are the basis of curriculum developed by local school districts. State law requires that all standards be taught, but to my knowledge nothing is in these standards which would create a moral dilemma for a teacher. However, it is possible that a locally developed or a commercially developed curriculum may contain content that strays outside the SBOE-adopted standards.

Israel is the lone democracy in the region. They have been a reliable ally surrounded by peoples who not only hate them, but hate us. We must stand with those who share our values and who stand with us.

Strongly Agree

A strong military is of critical importance but it must be used judiciously and decisively. Over the past years, United States has projected weakness and ineptitude, and when America projects weakness, the world becomes a much more dangerous place.

Strongly Disagree

The government's role is to protect our inalienable natural rights. An individual's duty is to provide for him or herself. Ronald Reagan once noted that "a government that can give you everything can also take it away." A benevolent dictator is still a dictator. Benjamin Franklin wrote, "Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Having taxpayers provide food, shelter and care are not rights contemplated by the founders.

The Texas Declaration of Independence lists as a grievance, the failure of the government to establish public education; it further states: "...unless a people are educated and enlightened, it is idle to expect the continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity for self government." We all have a vested interest in an educated and enlightened citizenry. In recent years, the funding mechanisms have been changed to allow for charter schools. I support this. I do not support free college for all.

Strongly Agree

Unfortunately, this issue is demagogued by the left. USDE didn't assume operations until 1980, so our country operated without a cabinet level education department for 200 years. Eliminating USDE does not eliminate public education; it places its functions in another department. Public education is not a proper role of the federal government. It is state and local local schools working alongside families to educate children.

Agree

Currently we have a degree of school choice in Texas. Parents not only have a right but they have a duty to place their child in the most appropriate educational environment. I moved my children to other schools when their situation was not working. Currently we have a robust charter school system--privately operated public schools. I was named by the Texas Public Charter School Association as a Charter Champion. How do we do the private school piece and guarantee no government interference?

I support the opt-in language current in effect in Texas and its renewal in the next session.

Strongly Disagree

I don't think much elaboration is required. Abortionists who espouse radical ideologies have no place in our schools.

Language arts (Students must first be reading on grade level). These are of equal weight: American History/Civics, Mathematics, Science; Then these: Vocational learning, Personal Finances, Art and Music, Physical Fitness.

Strongly Agree

Its not enough to carry a firearm. One has to have a well-rehearsed plan to deal with an active shooter. Many Texas schools are currently doing this to ensure that the school is not a soft target. Someone who is considering such an act should know that they will be met with well-trained resistance should they step onto a campus. We must actively disincentive this behavior.

Texas law protects a parent's right to direct the healthcare of their children. This includes vaccines.

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No.

No

Very Conservative

Strongly Agree

It is incredible and deeply saddening that such a question is relevant today. What normal, rationale person would ever think this is ok? I am proud of the work that we completed with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission related to rules related to HB900. I am also proud of my efforts to get suitability language in the Texas Education Code related to instructional materials and the parental rights language that was include in the health standards.

Strongly Agree

The nuclear family is the most basic form of government. A nation with crumbling families faces a very dim future.

Strongly Agree

Part of the reason that public schools struggle is because of mandates that have been placed on them that have nothing to do with educating children. Politicians cannot seems to resist the temptation to continue to solve all of society's ills through the public schools. We need to free our schools from the burden of these mandates and allow them to focus on teaching. No healthcare diagnosis or treatment should ever be administered without parental consent.

I surrendered my life to Christ as an 11-year-old at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch and have been on a continual journey since then. I was ordained as a deacon in 1994, licensed as a minister of the gospel in 1996 and have worked as a music minister for about 17 years in small rural churches. I believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God; that Jesus is "The Word made flesh," that he died on a Roman cross for the propitiation of sins, was raised from the dead on the third day and ascended into heaven, where He sits on the right hand of the Father, making intercession for the His own. I believe that I am eternally safe in Christ, who said no one can snatch (my sheep) from My hand."

Strongly Disagree

Most people have a photo ID and if they don't one is available to them at no cost. No evidence exists that supports the idea that requiring voting ID suppresses voter participation.

Strongly Disagree

We have always been a meritocracy. Those who do a job best get the job regardless of race, ethnicity or any characteristic unrelated to performance. Where there are achievement gaps in our schools, we must get to the root of those gaps and address them, not by lowering the bar, but by bringing everyone up to the bar.

Strongly Agree

I don't think any further comment is required. No.