Amy Dankel
Non-Partisan | Texas
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Amy Dankel
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2023
Election
School Board
Race
McKinney ISD Board of Trustees - Place 4
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, M. Ed, 1995
Millsaps College, Jackson, BS Ed, 1985
WORK & MILITARY
McKinney ISD, Teacher, 1998-2008
Prince William County Schools, Teacher, 1986-1998
Memphis City Schools, Teacher, 1985-1986
AFFILIATIONS
McKinney education foundation, Board Member, Stonebridge United Methodist Church
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
McKinney ISD Trustee, 2011-2023
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
SELECTED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS
OTHER INFORMATION
- Election Voting History
for Amy Dankel from the Collin County Election Administration during
time of residence in district and/or at current address:
- 2022 Primary election: Republican
- 2020 Primary election: Republican
- Voted in nine Republican Primary election 2016 - 2018
- Voted in two Joint elections 1998 - 2022
- Voted in twelve General elections 1998 - 2022
**Voter history is not considered during panel evaluations.**
- Vote history page 2
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Disagree
We have an excellent health program in McKinney ISD which is often updated and meets the Texas essential knowledge and skills. Our sex Ed program is an opt in program.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Disagree
We have an excellent health program in McKinney ISD which is often updated and meets the Texas essential knowledge and skills. Our sex Ed program is an opt in program.
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Disagree
There are many Physical reasons I disagree with us
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Disagree
There are many Physical reasons I disagree with us
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Absolutely! Are free enterprise system cannot function without educated workers. A free public school system is essential for success in the United States.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Absolutely! Are free enterprise system cannot function without educated workers. A free public school system is essential for success in the United States.
School districts should be able to use taxpayer money for lobbying the state legislature.
Agree
I feel like you’re talking about The tap the Texas Association of school boards which is essential and should be allowed to lobby. I also think PTA and PTO should have lobbies.
School districts should be able to use taxpayer money for lobbying the state legislature.
Agree
I feel like you’re talking about The tap the Texas Association of school boards which is essential and should be allowed to lobby. I also think PTA and PTO should have lobbies.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
Are Texas constitution clearly states: The duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provisions for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools. I do not feel this should include college not everyone should be going to college.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
Are Texas constitution clearly states: The duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provisions for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools. I do not feel this should include college not everyone should be going to college.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Strongly Agree
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Strongly Agree
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.
Strongly Agree
School district should not discriminate against anyone…. this is the United States of America not communist China!
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.
Strongly Agree
School district should not discriminate against anyone…. this is the United States of America not communist China!
EDUCATION
What is the function of the local school board?
The local school board sets policies and procedures to educate the students of that district. They also hire and evaluate the superintendent.
What is the function of the local school board?
The local school board sets policies and procedures to educate the students of that district. They also hire and evaluate the superintendent.
Who should have the authority to set curriculum and determine resources used in those curricula?
In Texas all public schools, NOT charter schools, home schools or private schools have to follow the Texas essential knowledge and skills I think this is the right way to go because we need to have standards to educate all children. Also things used in the classroom for instruction our state approved. In addition to this when students are taking advanced placement courses these are approved by the college board and follows their curriculum and materials which I think is appropriate because students then receive college credit for this.
Who should have the authority to set curriculum and determine resources used in those curricula?
In Texas all public schools, NOT charter schools, home schools or private schools have to follow the Texas essential knowledge and skills I think this is the right way to go because we need to have standards to educate all children. Also things used in the classroom for instruction our state approved. In addition to this when students are taking advanced placement courses these are approved by the college board and follows their curriculum and materials which I think is appropriate because students then receive college credit for this.
When should parents be restricted from speaking in school board meetings?
Parents should not be restricted from speaking in school board meetings. However people who are not parents, teachers, students or taxpayers in that district should not be speaking at school board meetings. They are not invested and do not care they just like to Rover around spewing hate and lies. In our board meetings I now have to ask people to state if they are going to use inappropriate language. This is ridiculous our citizens are held to a high standard by their communities people who come from outside the community don’t care how ridiculous and crass they act.
When should parents be restricted from speaking in school board meetings?
Parents should not be restricted from speaking in school board meetings. However people who are not parents, teachers, students or taxpayers in that district should not be speaking at school board meetings. They are not invested and do not care they just like to Rover around spewing hate and lies. In our board meetings I now have to ask people to state if they are going to use inappropriate language. This is ridiculous our citizens are held to a high standard by their communities people who come from outside the community don’t care how ridiculous and crass they act.
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 feel there are some very important things you have left out so I will add those in :Language Arts, Mathematics, science, history, health, physical fitness, Art & music, foreign language, personal finance, career and technical courses in high school
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 feel there are some very important things you have left out so I will add those in :Language Arts, Mathematics, science, history, health, physical fitness, Art & music, foreign language, personal finance, career and technical courses in high school
Which more closely matches your view of America's founding principles? A) Liberty and equality. B) Slavery and racism.
America was founded on liberty and equality it just took us a little while to get past slavery and racism. We must teach accurate history so our citizens realize what a wonderful country we have. If we do not teach history we are doomed to repeat history. Look at everything that has taken place in Europe because of this.
Which more closely matches your view of America's founding principles? A) Liberty and equality. B) Slavery and racism.
America was founded on liberty and equality it just took us a little while to get past slavery and racism. We must teach accurate history so our citizens realize what a wonderful country we have. If we do not teach history we are doomed to repeat history. Look at everything that has taken place in Europe because of this.
What does "equity in education" mean to you?
To me equity means meeting the needs of each child. For example I feel we need to have swimming lessons in either first or second grade. If a child can already swim clearly we do not need to take them to a pool and teach them to swim. However our nonswimmers should receive this instruction.
What does "equity in education" mean to you?
To me equity means meeting the needs of each child. For example I feel we need to have swimming lessons in either first or second grade. If a child can already swim clearly we do not need to take them to a pool and teach them to swim. However our nonswimmers should receive this instruction.
Written parental consent (opt-in) must be obtained before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
Neutral
We do have an opt in sex Ed program in McKinney ISD. It works very well however I don’t think you can broadbrush social and emotional learning and say parents need to sign onto this. For example when I was teaching kindergarten We daily dealt with keeping your hands and feet to yourself, respecting others, respecting yourself, treating others kindly …If this is what you mean by social and emotional learning then absolutely not parents should not have an option to opt in or opt out.
Written parental consent (opt-in) must be obtained before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
Neutral
We do have an opt in sex Ed program in McKinney ISD. It works very well however I don’t think you can broadbrush social and emotional learning and say parents need to sign onto this. For example when I was teaching kindergarten We daily dealt with keeping your hands and feet to yourself, respecting others, respecting yourself, treating others kindly …If this is what you mean by social and emotional learning then absolutely not parents should not have an option to opt in or opt out.
The loss of local control in education is too high a price to pay in exchange for federal dollars.
Strongly Agree
I’m also beginning to feel like the state is Headed down the path of the federal government. Unfunded mandates, hoarding our tax dollars and doing whatever they want to with them instead of using them for education, not sticking with the Texas constitution of free public schools for all
The loss of local control in education is too high a price to pay in exchange for federal dollars.
Strongly Agree
I’m also beginning to feel like the state is Headed down the path of the federal government. Unfunded mandates, hoarding our tax dollars and doing whatever they want to with them instead of using them for education, not sticking with the Texas constitution of free public schools for all
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.
Strongly Agree
They sure can but don’t spend my tax dollars to have your kids hang out at the house with you or go to some crazy religious school that is an American tax dollar should only be used for public education
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.
Strongly Agree
They sure can but don’t spend my tax dollars to have your kids hang out at the house with you or go to some crazy religious school that is an American tax dollar should only be used for public education
School boards are accountable to parents and taxpayers.
Strongly Agree
I will say we are first accountable to the children.
School boards are accountable to parents and taxpayers.
Strongly Agree
I will say we are first accountable to the children.
Do you believe students should have access to materials that graphically depict and describe sexual acts?
Yes
If you’re talking about high school students and the book in question is part of the curriculum in health, or advanced placement courses then yes. If you’re talking about elementary children of course not. Please note I am firmly for the constitution of the United States and firmly against the Nazi way of banning books. It is so un-American!
Do you believe students should have access to materials that graphically depict and describe sexual acts?
Yes
If you’re talking about high school students and the book in question is part of the curriculum in health, or advanced placement courses then yes. If you’re talking about elementary children of course not. Please note I am firmly for the constitution of the United States and firmly against the Nazi way of banning books. It is so un-American!
All print and digital material available or presented to students should be easily accessible for public review.
Agree
All print and digital material available or presented to students should be easily accessible for public review.
Agree
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian, and I act like it.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian, and I act like it.
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Strongly Disagree
I feel this is unfair and unsafe.
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Strongly Disagree
I feel this is unfair and unsafe.
No school official should be involved in the sexual transitioning of a student, including the use of alternative names and pronouns.
Disagree
I feel school officials should call a student what they and their parents wish them to be called.
No school official should be involved in the sexual transitioning of a student, including the use of alternative names and pronouns.
Disagree
I feel school officials should call a student what they and their parents wish them to be called.
No healthcare diagnosis or treatment, whether mental, reproductive, or otherwise, should be given to a child without first receiving written consent from the parent.
Strongly Disagree
Emergencies arrive and treatment may need to be given.
No healthcare diagnosis or treatment, whether mental, reproductive, or otherwise, should be given to a child without first receiving written consent from the parent.
Strongly Disagree
Emergencies arrive and treatment may need to be given.
Who is responsible for teaching sexual education to children, and what is the appropriate age when it should be taught?
Parents and it is also in the Texas essential knowledge and skills in the health curriculum.
Who is responsible for teaching sexual education to children, and what is the appropriate age when it should be taught?
Parents and it is also in the Texas essential knowledge and skills in the health curriculum.
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
In McKinney ISD we have an abstinence based program and this works very well. It is very important to teach students the health risks associated with sex. Also even our youngest children need to be taught that their body is their own and they have the right to say no.
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
In McKinney ISD we have an abstinence based program and this works very well. It is very important to teach students the health risks associated with sex. Also even our youngest children need to be taught that their body is their own and they have the right to say no.
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Neutral
As a Christian myself I strive to live in love like Jesus. If we followed the 10 Commandments, our pledge of allegiance and the constitution we would not have such a hayfield dysfunctional society.
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Neutral
As a Christian myself I strive to live in love like Jesus. If we followed the 10 Commandments, our pledge of allegiance and the constitution we would not have such a hayfield dysfunctional society.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Everyone should have to prove who they are to vote.
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Everyone should have to prove who they are to vote.
ABOUT YOU
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
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 are relevant when considering a candidacy for elective office.
Strongly Agree
A candidate's personal moral values are relevant when considering a candidacy for elective office.
Strongly Agree
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Moderate
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Moderate
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
All our meetings at McKinney ISD are recorded live and you can view them from the McKinney ISD website.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
All our meetings at McKinney ISD are recorded live and you can view them from the McKinney ISD website.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I’ve been married for 37 years, my two children went through McKinney ISD and went on to earn undergraduate and advanced degrees. I love my community here and Mckinney and want to be on the school board again to keep out the hate slate who are acting very un-American.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I’ve been married for 37 years, my two children went through McKinney ISD and went on to earn undergraduate and advanced degrees. I love my community here and Mckinney and want to be on the school board again to keep out the hate slate who are acting very un-American.
2ND AMENDMENT
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Neutral
We have school resource officers and a wonderful police department in Mckinney. Our officers are on campus or can be on campus very quickly. If I were in a community far from those resources I would mark this differently.
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Neutral
We have school resource officers and a wonderful police department in Mckinney. Our officers are on campus or can be on campus very quickly. If I were in a community far from those resources I would mark this differently.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Under what circumstances (if any) should schools be allowed to require vaccinations?
We have never required any type of vaccination even MMR and polio. I don’t think vaccination should be required.In fact when the federal government was telling us our Headstart teachers had to be vaccinated we were ready to pay them from our fund balance instead of making them follow this federal mandate to receive federal funds.
Under what circumstances (if any) should schools be allowed to require vaccinations?
We have never required any type of vaccination even MMR and polio. I don’t think vaccination should be required.In fact when the federal government was telling us our Headstart teachers had to be vaccinated we were ready to pay them from our fund balance instead of making them follow this federal mandate to receive federal funds.
I support mask mandates.
Agree
When governor Abbott mandated masks we did follow his mandate.
I support mask mandates.
Agree
When governor Abbott mandated masks we did follow his mandate.
All official open meetings should be live streamed, recorded, and have transcripts available online for public access.
Strongly Agree
We do this now
All official open meetings should be live streamed, recorded, and have transcripts available online for public access.
Strongly Agree
We do this now
All votes should be roll call votes and recorded in meeting minutes.
Strongly Agree
We raise our hands, say aye and the secretary records the votes. We had to go to raising hand because we had one board member who would sit there doing nothing.
All votes should be roll call votes and recorded in meeting minutes.
Strongly Agree
We raise our hands, say aye and the secretary records the votes. We had to go to raising hand because we had one board member who would sit there doing nothing.
