Amber Feller
Non-Partisan | Texas
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Amber Feller
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees, Place 3
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Texas A&M, BS in Sociology
University of North Texas, MEd in Counseling
WORK & MILITARY
Experience in advocacy, counseling, and education fields, Over 25 years
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Round Rock ISD Trustee - Place 3 and current Board President
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (1)
Access Education RRISD
SELECTED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS
OTHER INFORMATION
Election Voting History for Amber Christine Feller from the Williamson County Elections Department during time of residence in district and/or at current address:
- 2022 Primary Election: Republican
- 2020 Primary Election: Republican
- Voted in zero Primary elections 2003 - 2018
- Voted in nine General elections 2003 - 2021
**Voter history is not considered during panel evaluations.**
Participated in Access RRISD Candidate Forum (9/13/2022)
Please note: This information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for additional educational purposes only.
Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees voted 6-0 to deny abuse of position grievance filed by Ms. Ingrid Johnson against Round Rock ISD Trustee Amber Feller. (1/9/2020)
Access Education Candidate Questionnaire
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Neutral
While this is not an applicable scenario in RRISD currently, I cannot make a blanket decision about this. I would have to review the resource and/or services that were to be provided and determine how it would effect ALL students.
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Choose not to answer
This does not apply to a non-partisan race.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
School districts should be able to use taxpayer money for lobbying the state legislature.
Agree
If school districts are not advocating for themselves, who would be responsible for this. The make up of ISD’s across the State is so varied, general advocacy for public education is not always enough. Each school district should be able to communicate and advocate for their specific needs.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
Public education is the backbone of society. I believe it should be funded to the greatest extent possible and research proves that the earlier formal interventions and education services occur, the greater impact that is made on the individual student.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Strongly Agree
I believe all students should be afforded the ability to speak freely and civilized with one another, and not just about religion.
School districts should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Choose not to answer
School districts should not discriminate against students, organizations nor small businesses on any matter!
Students should not be allowed to pray in school.
Disagree
I think students should be able to pray in school if that is their individual choice. I do not think it should be forced upon anyone however.
EDUCATION
What is the function of the local school board?
Governance. School Boards set policy, pass the budget, set the tax rate and oversee the superintendent. School Boards should not be involved in the day to day management of the district.
Who should have the authority to set curriculum and determine resources used in those curricula?
This is solely a management function so the administration should have full control over these decisions.
When should parents be restricted from speaking in school board meetings?
Never. I do not think parents should ever be restricted from speaking at Board meetings. Parents should also know the policies that govern public speaking. For example, in RRISD, individuals can speak on topic at any meeting and address off topic items at regular monthly meetings.
Please list in order the following priorities in relation to the role of a K-12 public school (omitting any that do not apply): Mathematics, Information Technology, Science, Political Activism, Personal Finances, Gender Identity, Physical Fitness, American History, Critical Race Theory, Language Arts, Art & Music, Vocational Learning, Sexuality, Foreign Language, Social Emotional Learning
I do not think it is possible to order rank this list. While most would agree that math, science and language arts are critical and basic skills, I want to ensure that students that graduate from RRISD have a robust skill set to prepare for life as an adult.
American civics education should emphasize our nation's founding principles of liberty and equality.
Agree
Liberty and equality are very important aspects of civics instruction. However, it should not be the totality of the curriculum.
Before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL), they must opt-in with written parental permission.
Agree
I think parents should have the choice if their students receive this type of instruction.
The loss of local control in education is too high a price to pay in exchange for federal dollars.
Choose not to answer
I do not think this is an either or situation. In other words, I do not think accepting federal dollars leads to loss of local control.
I support the teaching of curricula (such as the 1619 Project, No Place for Hate, Second Step, etc.) that emphasizes slavery and racism as the foundation of American history.
Choose not to answer
I think this question is asking if CRT should be taught in Texas public schools. CRT is not being taught in public schools and, in fact, state law prohibits it. I would not support curriculum that violates State law.
Parents are the ultimate authority in their child’s education and should be able to freely pursue whatever educational options they deem best for their child.
Choose not to answer
I do believe parents are the ultimate authority over their child. However, I do believe there should be some required standards that a student attending public school is guaranteed to receive. For example, I do not believe parents should be able to opt out of core subject areas.
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I have a very strong and personal spiritual belief system that guides my day-to-day life. However, as a Trustee, I cannot rely on my personal spiritual belief system to make decisions. I am required to make decisions in the best interest of ALL students, irregardless if our belief systems align.
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Choose not to answer
Texas Education Code 33.0834, along with UIL rules determine eligibility requirements for participation in athletic competitions. A School Board member is tasked with following laws/rules and as a result, this is not a decision for a Trustee.
Who is responsible for teaching sexual education to children, and what is the appropriate age when it should be taught?
Ideally, I think parents should be teaching sexual education. However, this is not the case in all homes. As a result, public schools are tasked with imparting this information. I also think parents are best suited to determine what age this education should occur and as a result, should be allowed to opt into this instruction if, and when, they see fit for their child.
If you support the teaching of Sex Ed, please answer the following question: Sexual education should include these topics (list all that apply and add your own, if needed) -- Physical and emotional health outcomes; contraceptive methods; consent; abstinence; sexual orientation and gender identity; human anatomy/the reproductive system; abortion methods and side effects; stages of pregnancy and fetal development; sex acts and pleasures of sex
Again, as a Trustee, I am not qualified in developing sexual education curriculum. I am grateful that RRISD has the SHAC to review existing options and make recommendations. I also think parents should be able to review said curriculum and make decisions if that curriculum is right for their student.
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Choose not to answer
Our system of government is framed around separation of church and state. Reliance on one particular religion could led to the failure of American government as we know it today. Additionally, while I do believe the Judeo-Christian religion provides a framework for morality, I also think other religions do as well, but one can choose to not practice any religion and also have a strong framework for morality.
No healthcare diagnosis or treatment, whether mental, reproductive, or otherwise, should be given to a child without first receiving written consent from the parent.
Agree
No school official should be involved in the sexual transitioning of a student, including the use of alternative names and pronouns.
Choose not to answer
I do not think a school official should be involved in the sexual transitioning of a student. This is a personal decision that should be discussed with their parents and supporting adults. I do think all students should be treated with respect with regards to ALL choices they have made.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Choose not to answer
This does not apply to the office I am seeking.
ABOUT YOU
Which of the 11 objectives specified in the Texas Education Code is your highest priority?
Again, I do not think this is a question I can answer. I would have to choose between parental rights, challenging students through curriculum, retaining excellent staff, school safety and technology innovations, just to name a few. Without even just one of these, public education would not be able to provide needed resources for life after high school.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
A candidate's personal moral values should not be relevant when considering a candidacy for elective office.
Choose not to answer
I think voters need to be educated on how an elected official will vote on issues facing them should they be elected.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Choose not to answer
I am running for a non-partisan office. This does not apply to the office I seek.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
NA
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am here to represent all students as they progress through public education and do not want your pocketbook, skin color or learning style to determine the level of success one sees in RRISD.
2ND AMENDMENT
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Under what circumstances (if any) should schools be allowed to require vaccinations?
Schools have historically required vaccinations for a variety of diseases. I am not a medical professional and would have to rely on a variety of resources in making this decision in the future. Again, this is not a “one size fits all” decision.
I support mask mandates.
Choose not to answer
Depends of the circumstances, level of threat of spread, and availability of treatment options. I don’t believe there is a “one size fits all” for this topic.
