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Meet Daylon Caldwell, Candidate For CISD Board of Trustees Place 7
What is your background? Your Family? Education? Work?
Hello, my name is Daylon D. Caldwell and I am a candidate for Corsicana ISD School Board Place 7. I am a graduate of Corsicana High School were I later attended Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, earning my degree in Mortuary Science. I am employed at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home as Funeral Director and Embalmer, I also serve on the Corsicana’s YMCA Board of Directors, and I am a Coach for Corsicana’s Summer Track Club for our youth, Team Supreme.
As a community leader that serves the community every day, I understand that education is the foundation from which we build strong, solid communities. I know the value of talented teachers and I believe I can help make decisions that support strong teaching and ensure that teachers and schools have the resources necessary to educate our children to be successful in the world today. It’s crucial we listen to the parents and community for which they know our children best if we are going to build a solid foundation necessary for our children. I believe that a school board must be responsive and receptive to parents, staff, students, and the community at large, encouraging an open dialogue. The board must take input from all groups and weigh all the facts before deciding. A Board member is a trustee of the community that elects him or her. That Trustee must be accessible and willing to collaborate with all members of the community; that includes all District staff. Anyone that comes before the board has the right to be heard not just to speak. A school board member must build public understanding, support and participation. My efforts as a board member would center on serving all the children in the community; one child is no more important than another. Our schools are here to serve the educational needs of all the children. All stakeholders: parents, all district personnel Certificated, Classified, and Management, as well as students must be partners in this endeavor if we are to be successful. By working together, we can all share in the knowledge and satisfaction that we have provided for the educational needs of all children, and continue building a district where students, parents, teachers, and staff feel they are welcome and that they belong.
• How would you describe an effective school board member? Why do you think you will be effective in this role?
An effective board member is a trustee who puts the well-being and success of our students and staff first when making decisions regarding their future. As a board member you are to set policy and goals for the Superintendent, and it is his/her job to make sure the district accomplishes those goals. An effective board member is also someone who represents the community, district staff, and students. As a board member you should be transparent, be a visibly active advocate for both our students and staff, have an open book approach to our community, and make decisions solely based on the betterment of the students in Corsicana ISD. As a candidate for the board, everyone has to be held accountable, that what you’re voted in for. The community wants elected officials to be a listening ear and take in consideration their concerns.
When elected, I will continue to hold myself accountable, and to make sure each policy and rule that is set in place is achieved.
• What, if elected, are your four education priorities?
- Continue to enhance our academic attachment by meeting every student at the educational level
they are at. - As a board trustee I will increase focus on our CTE programs. This will aide in our being able to assist our students with the workforce transition after completing high school. We’ve seen what happens when that added support is not there for the after high school transition, and I want to ensure we utilize every resource at our disposal to assist our graduate in finding their path during this milestone moment.
- Continue to recruit teachers and retain our present teachers to insure a stable learning environment for our students.
- Continue to find ways to build our students mental, social and emotional health back up, do the decrease in them caused by the unfortunate circumstances of COVID-19
What (in your opinion) are the major issues affecting CISD?
Community involvement and communication. And teacher support and retention.
• What are your thoughts on the current budget?
I believe that the current budget is okay, but there’s always room for improvement. When budgeting
for the year we must remain putting our students and staff first.
• Do you support Critical Race Theory being taught to our students? Explain.
As a graduate of Corsicana High School, I was never taught CRT. I believe our district has great curriculum on teaching US History, so there for I don’t believe that CRT should be in our schools. As a proud American, I can gladly say, I hate the things that happened in the past, but we are pressing toward the future striving for greatness. United we will stand, divided we will fall.
• Will you commit to bringing the district closer to financial stability by passing a balanced budget? What cuts/changes can be made at the district level to both help CISD reach its student outcome goals while maintaining a balanced budget?
Yes. Like stated before, there’s always room for improvements, I strongly believe our students should be our priority and we must insure they have all the support and resources available for them, to insure of positive future. With that being said if changes need to be made in the budget we should always start at the top and work our way down.
Melissa Castillo, Candidate for School Board Place 7
What is your background? Your Family? Education? Work?
My name is Melissa Castillo, the daughter of Adela and Luis Castillo. I was born and raised in Corsicana. My mom has been with CISD for 33 years, 25 years spent in early childhood education. My dad worked at Guardian Glass for 33 years and now works as CISD grounds crew. I also have a son that will be a freshman at CHS next year. In 2019, I earned a master’s of science degree in applied psychology with a 3.9 GPA. I graduated from Texas A&M Commerce in 2006 with a bachelor’s of science in criminal justice. I am also an alumnus of Navarro College graduating in 2004 with two associate’s degree’s in criminal justice and psychology. I started my career in 2007 at the Texas Youth Commission Corsicana Residential Treatment Facility as a case manager. I worked on the Security Unit and later on the Crisis Stabilization Unit. I was also part of the Crisis Intervention Team. After TYC, I applied at VOICE in 2009 and was hired as a prevention specialist. I have been at VOICE for 12 ½ years. At VOICE I worked in the schools facilitating evidence-based prevention education programs and coordinated a high school leadership program called Pathways to Success. I also worked as our College Achievement Advisor helping students and families plan for college. After earning my master’s degree, I was promoted to a Program Director and now the Deputy Director of Programs overseeing all VOICE programs in our Corsicana and Waco office.
How would you describe an effective school board member? Why do you think you will be effective in this role?
An effective board member is someone who has a good relationship with the community and the school. Someone who makes responsible decisions concerning issues like the financial budget, policies and procedures, setting goals and monitoring students success.
In my experience, I have built a good relationship with many community members, community organizations, and schools. As an administrator at VOICE, I have developed the skills to be an effective school board trustee. I am familiar with state and federal funding, I monitor and allocate a multimillion-dollar budget. In addition, as an administrative team we work closely with our board members to ensure we maintain a balanced budget and develop appropriate policies and procedures for our agency.
What, if elected, are your four education priorities?
1. Maintaining a strong and compassionate leadership.
2. Ensuring all programs at CISD have what they need to help their students flourish socially and academically.
3. Empowering parents to be their child’s first educator.
4. Focus on academic success for all students at CISD.
What (in your opinion) are the major issues affecting CISD?
Two issues I would like to focus on is to increase employee morale and focus on employee retention. In addition, providing the support students and teachers need.
What are your thoughts on the current budget?
In 2020 Corsicana ISD received a superior achievement for their financial accountability. In their recent audit, CISD was in good standing. I would say CISD is right on budget.
Do you support Critical Race Theory being taught to our students? Explain.
It’s unfortunate that CRT has become part of a political debate. I believe it is important to know our history and to learn from it. When learning about our history, the focus should be on what we can learn from it and what we plan do with the knowledge we gain going forward. Our teachers need to be supported in what they do best, teaching our students.
Will you commit to bringing the district closer to financial stability by passing a balanced budget? What cuts/changes can be made at the district level to both help CISD reach its student-outcome goals while maintaining a balanced budget?
Yes, I will commit to maintaining a balanced budget. As a trustee, it is important to make informed decisions that will benefit student-outcomes and employees.
Jamie Roman, Incumbent CISD Board of Trustees Place 5
What is your background? Your Family? Education? Work?
Jamie is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, where she obtained her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. She is married to Michael Roman, a graduate of Corsicana High School Class of ‘89 and a graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University. Michael is the son of Gary and Gail Roman, who also graduated from Corsicana High School, Class of ‘64. Jamie and Michael have two children, Allika and Corbet Roman. Allika graduated from Corsicana High School in 2017 and Texas A&M with a degree in Biomedical Science in 2021. Corbet is currently a sophomore at Corsicana High School.
For the last 24 years, Jamie has worked as a Human Resource Recruiter for several Fortune 500 Companies. Since 2011, Jamie has been employed with Waste Management, a Fortune 200 Company, as a Senior Talent Advisor. In this role, she is responsible for developing strategies to meet the staffing needs of the facilities she supports throughout Texas and Oklahoma.
For the past 15 years, Jamie has been very involved in Corsicana ISD as a parent volunteer. She has served on the PTO Board at Bowie Elementary, Sam Houston Elementary, Drane Intermediate, Collins and Corsicana Middle School. She also served as President for the CHS Cheer Booster Club. Since 2013, Jamie currently serves as the President for the CHS Athletic Booster Club, where she has been instrumental in in raising funds to purchase the New Tiger Tunnel in 2016, the Booster Club Spirit Trailer and other equipment needed for the student athletes to be successful. Mrs Roman currently serves on the Navarro County United Way Board.
How would you describe an effective school board member? Why do you think you will be effective in this role?
An effective board member is one that puts all students first. Every decision a school board makes must have the student’s best interest at heart. An effective board member must be willing to listen to the parents, community, and district staff to hear their concerns. An effective board member must also be willing to make hard decisions.
Having served as a trustee for the last 3 years, Jamie Roman has helped navigate CISD through one of the most challenging times in our country’s history. Working for what is best for the students and staff of CISD has been her priority. She will continue to help lead the district post pandemic and help our students achieve success.
What, if elected, are your four education priorities?
Post pandemic, Jamie Roman’s educational priorities for CISD are:
To identify any learning gaps that our students experienced over the last two years.
Provide the resources needed to our staff and teachers to help close the gaps that are identified.
Identify ways to recruit and retain quality teachers during a nationwide teacher shortage.
Get parents more involved with their child’s education which will help reduce discipline issues and help our students excel in learning.
What (in your opinion) are the major issues affecting CISD?
The major issue CISD is facing is getting our students caught up and back on track in the areas of reading and math. The district must continue to work to close these learning gaps by continuing programs such as Saturday School, Night School and Summer School programs.
What are your thoughts on the current budget? A school districts budget is made up of monies that come from local taxes, state funding and federal funding. The state funding that a district receives is based on daily student enrollment. CISD adopted a very conservative budget for the 21-22 school year not knowing how the pandemic would impact the student enrollment.
Do you support Critical Race Theory being taught to our students? Explain.
I do not support Critical Race Theory. Governor Greg Abbott has also ban Critical Race Theory from being taught in Texas Public Schools.
Will you commit to bringing the district closer to financial stability by passing a balanced budget? What cuts/changes can be made at the district level to both help CISD reach its student-outcome goals while maintaining a balanced budget?
Since being a Trustee on the CISD School Board, we have been able identify areas to cut cost and expenses which allowed CISD to save over $1,000,000.00 in the 20-21 school year. CISD continues to look for resources such as grants and other federal money to help offset cost and expenses. An example is the grant that CISD received to purchase two new police vehicles in the fall of 2021. This will allow the district to replace two cars from their aging fleet.
Jim Maxwell, Candidate for CISD Board of Trustees Place 5
What is your background? Your Family? Education? Work?
I grew up in Corsicana, as did my parents. CHS grad then received Bachelors Degree from Southwest Texas State in San Marcos. Began my public school teaching career in Lancaster in 1991. I taught architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and welding for 28 years before retiring in 2021.
How would you describe an effective school board member? Why do you think you will be effective in this role?
I believe a truly effective and difference making school board member thinks for themselves. Obviously taking input from others, but be very wary of a board that sounds like and echo chamber dominated by group think. I cannot be persuaded by anything except Truth and facts.
What, if elected, are your four education priorities?
My 4 priorities as a CISD board trustee will be improving student discipline, reducing teacher workloads, fiscally conservative use of taxpayer money and reducing class sizes
What (in your opinion) are the major issues affecting CISD?
Student apathy, student discipline and teacher morale.
What are your thoughts on the current budget?
I haven’t studied the current budget as thoroughly as I would like. But based on my years of experience, every school district could benefit from frequent financial audits. If elected, I will call for a full financial audit of the last 2 years of expenditures within CISD.
Do you support Critical Race Theory being taught to our students? Explain.
I fully support teaching all students the truth about race relations in our nation’s history. I do however disagree with the CRT lessons I have been made aware of. Let’s not forget the tremendous progress our nation and community have made since the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. We’ve had a black president, black and Hispanic judges etc, and continue to look more like a true melting pot. Never forget how getting to know the “Content of a person’s Character” cuts through any and all skin deep differences.
Will you commit to bringing the district closer to financial stability by passing a balanced budget? What cuts/changes can be made at the district level to both help CISD reach its student-outcome goals while maintaining a balanced budget?
Obviously taxpayer funds and how they are spent is an important focus of mine. I am not saying short change the kids with smaller budgets. I’m saying examine how we spend funds, including our top-heavy administrative costs as well as figure out more efficient ways to run our schools.
Thank you for reading this.
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