Greg Petolick

Agree

I believe human life is precious and deserves protection, and I also believe there are difficult and deeply personal situations, such as rape, incest, or serious risks to the health of the mother, where exceptions should be considered. These circumstances require compassion, medical judgment, and an understanding that families may face situations no one ever wants to imagine.

I believe parents or guardians should play the primary role in supporting a student facing an unwanted or crisis pregnancy. The school’s role is to ensure the student is safe and connected with their family.

For me, “separation of church and state” in public schools means that every student, regardless of their faith, background, or beliefs, should feel welcome, respected, and included on our campuses. Public schools serve the entire community, and it’s important that no student feels pressured toward a particular religious viewpoint, and that no student feels their own beliefs are being dismissed. Families, not school boards or educators, must be free to guide a child’s faith experience.

Strongly Agree

I believe student loans should be repaid. Many people work hard, make sacrifices, or choose different paths to avoid taking on student debt, and it’s understandable that they would see large-scale loan forgiveness as unfair. In our K–12 system, we should focus on giving students more opportunities to earn dual credit, industry certifications, and college-level coursework so they can reduce the cost of higher education before they graduate.

In Texas, the State Constitution makes public education the responsibility of the Texas Legislature, calling for an “efficient system of public free schools.” I agree that the state must adequately fund K-12 public education.

Agree

I believe we need to follow the law, and we should do so with compassion. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and in practice the focus should be on identifying and removing individuals who pose a real threat to public safety, such as violent offenders and those convicted of serious crimes. At the same time, it’s important that this work is carried out with respect for due process.

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Agree

I agree that consequences for bad behavior are essential for maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment. Students do their best work when expectations are clear, consistently enforced, and grounded in respect. A strong campus culture supports both accountability and growth and helps ensure every student and teacher can focus on learning.

Strongly Agree

I believe that civics has always been an essential part of public education. Our students should understand America’s founding documents, how our government works, and the responsibilities that come with citizenship. A strong civics education helps students appreciate the rights and freedoms we enjoy, understand the history behind them, and develop pride in contributing to their community and country.

Agree

I believe strongly in local control as it relates to public education. The best decisions for students are made closest to the classroom, where families, teachers, and communities understand their needs. Whatever the structure at the federal level, my focus is on ensuring that local districts maintain the flexibility and authority to do what is best for their students.

I believe sex education in public schools should stay firmly rooted in science, biology, and age-appropriate health education. For me, that includes teaching students the facts about human anatomy, the reproductive system, stages of pregnancy, and the biological aspects of how the body works. Families have different values, beliefs, and expectations around topics like sexual orientation, gender identity, and the moral or emotional dimensions of sexuality. These should be addressed at home.

Agree

I believe home-schooled students should have access to extracurricular activities in their local public schools if eligible. These families are part of our community, and UIL activities can be an important outlet for social connection, teamwork and growth. At the same time, I believe that students who attend private schools should participate in the extracurricular and competitive programs offered through the governing bodies associated with those schools. This is in line with Texas UIL rules.

My Priorities for the Role of a K–12 Public School: - Mathematics - Language Arts (Reading, Writing, Communication) - Science - Civics - American History - Information Technology / Digital Literacy - Personal Finances - Vocational Learning and Career Readiness - Foreign Language - Art & Music - Physical Fitness - Social Emotional Learning (focused on basic skills such as teamwork, conflict resolution, and coping strategies)

Agree

I believe public schools should absolutely prioritize strong academics. Students need a solid foundation in reading, writing, math, science, and civics to be successful in whatever path they choose after graduation. Schools also play an important role in helping students build character skills, qualities that strengthen our communities and support the work of self-government. Our job is to prepare students to think critically, contribute positively and participate fully in the world around them.

Neutral

I don’t believe this statement captures the full picture. Public schools should be appropriately funded and focused on improving the students they serve, regardless of outside competition. Our obligation is to make sure every child who walks through our doors has access to strong academics, effective teachers, and the support they need to succeed. Competition doesn’t replace the hard work of investing in our schools and strengthening the quality of education for all students.

Agree

I agree in principle, but I have real concerns. My wife and daughter are teachers, and I’m cautious about firearms on campus unless carried by trained law enforcement. Texas has strict requirements for who can carry, and I believe any security measures must prioritize safety and strong oversight.

No

No

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Did not answer

Lean Conservative

I generally align with moderate conservative principles, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, strong local governance, and pragmatic approaches to social and community issues.

Disagree

I believe biological males should not participate in women’s sports or use women’s private spaces. Protecting fairness, safety, and privacy for girls and women is important, and sex-separated spaces exist for those reasons. Public schools have a responsibility to create environments where ALL students feel safe, supported, and respected, and that includes ensuring that female students have access to equitable.

This is a very personal question, but I’m happy to share briefly. I believe in God and consider myself a Christian. My faith guides my values of service, integrity, and treating others with respect, but I also believe strongly in honoring the diverse beliefs of all families in our community.

Strongly Agree

Parents have the fundamental right and responsibility to direct their child’s health and educational well-being. As a district, our job is to partner with families, communicate clearly, and make sure parents are informed and involved in decisions that affect their children, while still meeting the academic and safety obligations we have as a public school system.

Strongly Agree

Dr. King’s belief that people should be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin is a principle that still matters today. Every student should be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Neutral

This issue has been decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, and as a school board member, I am committed to following the law. My focus is on serving all students and families in our district with fairness, respect, and integrity, regardless of their background or beliefs.

Agree

Mental health conditions should be treated with proper clinical care, not simply affirmed. Students deserve support grounded in professional medical guidance, compassion, and evidence-based practices. Our focus in schools should be on keeping students safe, partnering with families to ensure they receive the care they need, and connecting them with qualified mental-health professionals if requested by the parent or guardian.

Neutral

I believe the Legislature has already addressed this issue by setting clear standards for reviewing and rating library materials, and school districts are required to follow those laws. I also support allowing parents to opt out of any literary material they do not feel is appropriate for their child. Families should have a voice in these decisions, and districts should provide a clear, respectful process that honors parental choice while still maintaining strong, high-quality literacy programs

Strongly Disagree

We simply can’t function in society today without some form of government-issued ID ... we use it for banking, travel, employment, medical care, and countless everyday activities. Voting is one of our most important civic responsibilities, and requiring a valid ID helps protect the integrity of our elections while still allowing broad access for eligible voters.