Patty Harris
Non-Partisan | Texas
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Patty Harris
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2023
Election
School Board
Race
Grand Prairie ISD Board of Trustees - At-Large Place 3
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, MS-Ed Technology
Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, Health Care Admin Cert.
Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, MS-Ed Leadership
Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, BBA-Business Management
WORK & MILITARY
N/A
AFFILIATIONS
Cinco de Mayo Scholarship Committee, Contributor, NAACP Scholarship Committee
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
N/A
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
GPISD Trustee At-Large Place 7
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Interested voters and stakeholders are afraid of GPISD retaliation from public support
SELECTED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS
- Campaign Finance Report- 8th day prior to the election- (period covered 03/28/2023-04/26/2023)
- Please note: this information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for additional educational purposes only.
OTHER INFORMATION
Please note: This information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for additional educational purposes only.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Strongly Disagree
'Right to Life' is a personal and family decision, beyond the scope of school board governance. Many families would be thrilled to adopt a child and many children are still waiting for forever families.
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
I was raised Catholic.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Strongly Disagree
'Right to Life' is a personal and family decision, beyond the scope of school board governance. Many families would be thrilled to adopt a child and many children are still waiting for forever families.
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
I was raised Catholic.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
As a small business owner, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to express my entrepreneurship skills through A+ Academy Driving School, where I am the DPS 3rd Party Road Tester, helping individuals earn a Texas Driver's License.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
As a small business owner, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to express my entrepreneurship skills through A+ Academy Driving School, where I am the DPS 3rd Party Road Tester, helping individuals earn a Texas Driver's License.
School districts should be able to use taxpayer money for lobbying the state legislature.
Strongly Disagree
Chamber of Commerce organizations, across Texas, lobby the state legislature for their business community. The school district is usually one of the largest community employers with networking opportunities to reach politically-active Chamber members.
School districts should be able to use taxpayer money for lobbying the state legislature.
Strongly Disagree
Chamber of Commerce organizations, across Texas, lobby the state legislature for their business community. The school district is usually one of the largest community employers with networking opportunities to reach politically-active Chamber members.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
To All the individuals who have received a FREE college education, even if just the two years of dual credit courses earned in high school: You do not appreciate the burden the rest of us carry with a lifetime student loan debt. If the government wants to change the rules and forgive my student loan debts, then I would also ask for a refund on the Tens of thousands of dollars I have already paid the government and reinvest in my family. I took time and money away from my family to invest in my education and our future. Yet at retirement, I still have a mountain of student loan debt to repay and prior classes along with the Class of 2023 expect to graduate from college with no debt.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
To All the individuals who have received a FREE college education, even if just the two years of dual credit courses earned in high school: You do not appreciate the burden the rest of us carry with a lifetime student loan debt. If the government wants to change the rules and forgive my student loan debts, then I would also ask for a refund on the Tens of thousands of dollars I have already paid the government and reinvest in my family. I took time and money away from my family to invest in my education and our future. Yet at retirement, I still have a mountain of student loan debt to repay and prior classes along with the Class of 2023 expect to graduate from college with no debt.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Strongly Agree
At appropriate times, students should be able to share the importance of their faith to build understanding about how much we are alike, in a free society, while we appreciate our differences. It should not be an opportunity to sow discontent and cause civil disobedience.
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
It is beyond the scope of trustees' authority to discriminate on any student's family unit.
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Strongly Agree
At appropriate times, students should be able to share the importance of their faith to build understanding about how much we are alike, in a free society, while we appreciate our differences. It should not be an opportunity to sow discontent and cause civil disobedience.
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
It is beyond the scope of trustees' authority to discriminate on any student's family unit.
EDUCATION
What is the function of the local school board?
The main function of the school board is to provide local, citizen governance and oversight of education. Though ultimate responsibility for education rests with the state, Texas has delegated much of the authority to local communities who elect their local school trustees to govern the school district.
Who should have the authority to set curriculum and determine resources used in those curricula?
The authority to determine the curriculum rests with the district, not individual teachers. Teachers, as employees, must carry out that curriculum and abide by any restrictions, and they do not have a right to use whatever teaching materials and methodologies they choose if this is contrary to school policy.
When should parents be restricted from speaking in school board meetings?
School boards require speakers to sign up in advance and establish 3-5 minute limits on presentation length. Many presiding officers read a brief statement, prior to the public comment segment, as a general reminder to all public participants of the board’s expectations, in order to maintain decorum and conduct school business in a professional manner.
What is the function of the local school board?
The main function of the school board is to provide local, citizen governance and oversight of education. Though ultimate responsibility for education rests with the state, Texas has delegated much of the authority to local communities who elect their local school trustees to govern the school district.
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
K-12: Reading & Language Arts, Mathematics & Science, Information Technology, Physical Fitness, Art & Music. Middle School: Social Emotional Learning & Foreign Language. High School: American History, Personal Finances, & Vocational Learning
Which more closely matches your view of America's founding principles? A) Liberty and equality. B) Slavery and racism.
Liberty and equality
Who should have the authority to set curriculum and determine resources used in those curricula?
The authority to determine the curriculum rests with the district, not individual teachers. Teachers, as employees, must carry out that curriculum and abide by any restrictions, and they do not have a right to use whatever teaching materials and methodologies they choose if this is contrary to school policy.
What does "equity in education" mean to you?
Educational equity means that each child receives what they need to develop to their full academic and social potential.
Written parental consent (opt-in) must be obtained before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
Agree
In my public school experience, I have not seen CSE as a course option, but SEL has focused on CASEL's five core competencies: Self-Awareness, Understanding your emotions and thoughts and how they influence your behavior, Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making, Social Awareness, and Relationship Skills.
When should parents be restricted from speaking in school board meetings?
School boards require speakers to sign up in advance and establish 3-5 minute limits on presentation length. Many presiding officers read a brief statement, prior to the public comment segment, as a general reminder to all public participants of the board’s expectations, in order to maintain decorum and conduct school business in a professional manner.
The loss of local control in education is too high a price to pay in exchange for federal dollars.
Strongly Agree
Texas Public education is primarily funded by local property tax revenue. Only about 6% of funding comes from the federal government. With the $32.7 billion budget surplus, collected over the past 18 months, because of historic growth in tax collections, a reasonable person would assume a larger investment in education and hope for a decrease in personal property taxes.
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
K-12: Reading & Language Arts, Mathematics & Science, Information Technology, Physical Fitness, Art & Music. Middle School: Social Emotional Learning & Foreign Language. High School: American History, Personal Finances, & Vocational Learning
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
True
Which more closely matches your view of America's founding principles? A) Liberty and equality. B) Slavery and racism.
Liberty and equality
School boards are accountable to parents and taxpayers.
Strongly Agree
True
What does "equity in education" mean to you?
Educational equity means that each child receives what they need to develop to their full academic and social potential.
Do you believe students should have access to materials that graphically depict and describe sexual acts?
No
Written parental consent (opt-in) must be obtained before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
Agree
In my public school experience, I have not seen CSE as a course option, but SEL has focused on CASEL's five core competencies: Self-Awareness, Understanding your emotions and thoughts and how they influence your behavior, Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making, Social Awareness, and Relationship Skills.
All print and digital material available or presented to students should be easily accessible for public review.
Strongly Agree
True
The loss of local control in education is too high a price to pay in exchange for federal dollars.
Strongly Agree
Texas Public education is primarily funded by local property tax revenue. Only about 6% of funding comes from the federal government. With the $32.7 billion budget surplus, collected over the past 18 months, because of historic growth in tax collections, a reasonable person would assume a larger investment in education and hope for a decrease in personal property taxes.
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
True
School boards are accountable to parents and taxpayers.
Strongly Agree
True
Do you believe students should have access to materials that graphically depict and describe sexual acts?
No
All print and digital material available or presented to students should be easily accessible for public review.
Strongly Agree
True
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised Catholic. Beliefs are our assumptions about the world. Values are how we attribute worth to objects and behaviors. Beliefs stem from our life experiences, spiritual learnings, and culture. Our beliefs heavily influence our values. God - Family - Career
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
Girls did not have any athletic opportunities until about the 1960s. Girls' sports are still not equally funded or celebrated in public schools.
No school official should be involved in the sexual transitioning of a student, including the use of alternative names and pronouns.
Strongly Agree
This is a family discussion, yet schools must address the social and emotional needs of every student, so they feel like they belong to the learning community.
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 Agree
Public Schools do not provide healthcare diagnosis or treatment. Students are encouraged to seek help from medical professionals.
Who is responsible for teaching sexual education to children, and what is the appropriate age when it should be taught?
In November 2020, the Texas State Board of Education adopted new minimum curriculum standards that guide sex education. These newly adopted Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS, are for Health Education Teachers - required in middle school, but an elective in high school.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised Catholic. Beliefs are our assumptions about the world. Values are how we attribute worth to objects and behaviors. Beliefs stem from our life experiences, spiritual learnings, and culture. Our beliefs heavily influence our values. God - Family - Career
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
New TEKS include basic information on anatomy, puberty, and reproduction; Information on contraception, condoms, and prevention; screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs); The importance of abstinence; Standards on healthy relationships, such as prevention of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and healthy communication. While the standards teach the importance of respecting the boundaries of other people, they do not include consent. Standards do not include language acknowledging LGBTQ students.
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
Girls did not have any athletic opportunities until about the 1960s. Girls' sports are still not equally funded or celebrated in public schools.
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
True
No school official should be involved in the sexual transitioning of a student, including the use of alternative names and pronouns.
Strongly Agree
This is a family discussion, yet schools must address the social and emotional needs of every student, so they feel like they belong to the learning community.
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 Agree
Public Schools do not provide healthcare diagnosis or treatment. Students are encouraged to seek help from medical professionals.
Who is responsible for teaching sexual education to children, and what is the appropriate age when it should be taught?
In November 2020, the Texas State Board of Education adopted new minimum curriculum standards that guide sex education. These newly adopted Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS, are for Health Education Teachers - required in middle school, but an elective in high school.
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
New TEKS include basic information on anatomy, puberty, and reproduction; Information on contraception, condoms, and prevention; screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs); The importance of abstinence; Standards on healthy relationships, such as prevention of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and healthy communication. While the standards teach the importance of respecting the boundaries of other people, they do not include consent. Standards do not include language acknowledging LGBTQ students.
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
True
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Prior voter fraud
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Prior voter fraud
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
A candidate's personal moral values are relevant when considering a candidacy for elective office.
Strongly Agree
True
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
As public school teachers, we are encouraged to stay out of the limelight and focus those energies on the students that we teach.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
The Kilgore College Rangerettes are the world's best-known collegiate drill team, traveling from coast-to-coast and border to border in the United States and on several world tours. As Rangerette Forever alumna, we help raise scholarship funds for current line members. The Hit The Hat Scholarship Campaign is an annual appeal focused on financially increasing the endowed Forevers scholarships for the Rangerettes which assist with the cost of tuition, room & board. These scholarships support the student experience at Kilgore College while keeping the legacy and tradition of the Rangerettes for future generations.
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
True
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
As public school teachers, we are encouraged to stay out of the limelight and focus those energies on the students that we teach.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
The Kilgore College Rangerettes are the world's best-known collegiate drill team, traveling from coast-to-coast and border to border in the United States and on several world tours. As Rangerette Forever alumna, we help raise scholarship funds for current line members. The Hit The Hat Scholarship Campaign is an annual appeal focused on financially increasing the endowed Forevers scholarships for the Rangerettes which assist with the cost of tuition, room & board. These scholarships support the student experience at Kilgore College while keeping the legacy and tradition of the Rangerettes for future generations.
2ND AMENDMENT
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Strongly Agree
Due to the world we live in, schools should not be viewed as a soft target. Even a School Resource Officer (SRO), can't be everywhere in a crisis.
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Strongly Agree
Due to the world we live in, schools should not be viewed as a soft target. Even a School Resource Officer (SRO), can't be everywhere in a crisis.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Under what circumstances (if any) should schools be allowed to require vaccinations?
For herd immunity
I support mask mandates.
Strongly Disagree
Did masks really make a difference during the pandemic or they were more like 'duck and cover' protocols, to hide under a desk in case of a nuclear attack?
All official open meetings should be live streamed, recorded, and have transcripts available online for public access.
Strongly Agree
Detailed printed agendas should be available at the door of the boardroom. Many interested stakeholders are either unavailable to attend in person or are still afraid of retaliation. Stakeholders still want to know how their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent.
All votes should be roll call votes and recorded in meeting minutes.
Strongly Agree
True. With a seven-person school board, it only takes four votes to make decisions and spend all the taxpayer dollars. Then voters would have a truer sense of who should stay and who should go, in representing the community.
Under what circumstances (if any) should schools be allowed to require vaccinations?
For herd immunity
I support mask mandates.
Strongly Disagree
Did masks really make a difference during the pandemic or they were more like 'duck and cover' protocols, to hide under a desk in case of a nuclear attack?
All official open meetings should be live streamed, recorded, and have transcripts available online for public access.
Strongly Agree
Detailed printed agendas should be available at the door of the boardroom. Many interested stakeholders are either unavailable to attend in person or are still afraid of retaliation. Stakeholders still want to know how their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent.
All votes should be roll call votes and recorded in meeting minutes.
Strongly Agree
True. With a seven-person school board, it only takes four votes to make decisions and spend all the taxpayer dollars. Then voters would have a truer sense of who should stay and who should go, in representing the community.
