League of Women Voters election survey: Cassie Gandara, candidate for Dallas County Schools Board of Trustees, at-large position

by Staff of League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters of Dallas sent a questionnaire to every candidate running for public office in Dallas County. The election on May 9 features a race for the Dallas County Schools Board of Trustees, in which four candidates are running for two at-large seats.

The responses of Cassie Gandara appear below. Gandara is running against Homer Fincannon, incumbent Larry Duncan, and Mary Darby.

LWV: Please describe your education and professional experience that qualifies you for a position on the Dallas County Schools (DCS) Board of Trustees?

Gandara: Practicing attorney; founder and president of LULAC Council #4690, 3 years; Juris Doctor, University of Houston Law Center; Bachelor's of Science, cum laude, University of Texas at Dallas (UTD); Articles Editor, Houston Business and Tax Law Journal; member, Bill of Rights Defense Committee of Greater Dallas.

LWV: If elected, what improvements would you advocate to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs at DCS?

Gandara: DCS has begun to extend services outside Dallas County, which helps the bottom line for our taxpayers, so I'll work to expand that program as much as possible. I'll work to support DCS' existing policy to reduce air pollution and fuel costs by converting buses to cheaper and more environmentally-friendly fuels. One example is their Fryer Flyer, the green bus that runs on waste vegetable oil.

LWV: DCS has a number of services (transportation, technology, psychology, and media) where it provides efficiency through sharing services. Should DCS consider offering other services under a shared agreement? If so, what services?

Gandara: DCS has expanded both the services it offers since the change of leadership on the Board of Trustees in 2005, and I will work to continue that. Hurricane victim evacuation, a workers compensation insurance network, free teacher recertification courses, etc. have all been successful. Improved child security systems (GPS tracking & routing of buses, biometric time & attendance, RFID student attendance, etc.), shared custodial services, and shared professional services are other areas I'll support expanding.

LWV: Many local teachers and librarians are not aware that DCS maintains an extensive media library of instructional materials and a large technology network that are available to local school districts at no charge. What would you do to promote increased awareness of these valuable resources?

Gandara: I will help expand the existing outreach program, especially through contacting our various ISDs and my colleagues on those other Boards of Trustees to encourage them to have their administrations distribute DCS information and publications more extensively among all their employees and throughout their systems.

LWV: The legislature mandated that seat belts be installed in all school buses subject to some funding from the state. To date, the state has not provided any funding. How can this safety measure be implemented?

Gandara: While our children's safety was at stake, Austin lawmakers dodged their responsibilities and passed words without meaning, legislation without either funding or enforcement - that is not a mandate. DCS, however, has mandated seat belts on all new buses and has provided funding in the last two budget cycles to retrofit the existing fleet to keep our children safe. I'll work with other Trustees to find the funds to complete this process as soon as possible.