Joseph Armstrong (Texas)

Joseph Armstrong

Contact

Personal website

Joseph Armstrong was a candidate for Place 3 representative on the Richardson Independent School District school board in Texas. Armstrong was defeated in the by-district general election on May 6, 2017.

Elections

2017

See also: Richardson Independent School District elections (2017)

Three of the seven seats on the Richardson Independent School District board of trustees in Texas were up for general election on May 6, 2017. The Place 6 and 7 seats were up for election to regular three-year terms, but the Place 3 seat was up for election to a two-year term due to the announced resignation of incumbent Kris Oliver. The race for the open Place 3 seat included candidates Joseph Armstrong, Karen Clardy, Eric Eager, and Ben Prado. Clardy won election to the seat. In his bid for re-election to Place 6, incumbent Justin Bono ran unopposed and won another term. Place 7 incumbent Kristin Kuhne defeated challenger Lynn Davenport.

Results

Richardson Independent School District, Place 3 General Election, 2-year term, 2017
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Karen Clardy	54.95%	5,748
Eric Eager	22.55%	2,359
Joseph Armstrong	12.41%	1,298
Ben Prado	10.09%	1,055
Total Votes		10,460
Source: Dallas County Elections, "2017 Joint Election," accessed September 20, 2017

Funding

See also: Campaign finance in the Richardson Independent School District elections

Armstrong reported $650.00 in contributions and $8,533.39 in expenditures to the Richardson Independent School District, which left his campaign with a deficit of $7,883.39 as of April 28, 2017.

Campaign themes

2017

Candidate website

Armstrong highlighted the following issues on his campaign website:

“	My campaign is about three separate, yet intertwined and integral parts of the education system; that is, the students, the faculty that lead them, and the legislation that guides public education throughout the state of Texas and beyond. The students are the pinnacle of this group. As a board member, folks are committing to be a trustee of the children that live within that district. They are literally being voted in and trusted with the well being of the children in RISD's bounds. I don't take this lightly, especially when considering the staggering amounts of data supporting what a tool and marker for success that education can be in a young person's life. One way to ensure that those students get that opportunity is by surrounding them with great faculty, and then properly supporting that faculty. Teachers frequently do the work of CEO's (with much less pay), and we need to make sure we put in the effort for them as well. And finally our job is to show up (in person, electronically, etc) for the legislative issues that shape the bounds within which we are able to help students succeed. We cannot always continue to just take what we are given, we must be defenders, again trustees, of our own children and for all children. The following are the subjects that will be my focus, as I think they give us the best opportunity to do the above well. Communication It doesn't take being a business owner or on any high level committee to see the importance of communication. Sometimes, however, in these positions, you are most able to see what damage poor communication can cause. I will push for RISD to do what I practice in business, OVERCOMMUNICATION. Overcommunicating with students, faculty, and the community alike, so that the vision and direction of the board is clear to all, so that we have the best opportunity to work towards those goals. Targeted, Focused Vision and Goals If communication is the key, having a vision is making sure there's something there when the door is opened. I want to be a part of what I know is an ongoing effort to set and maintain a focused vision and set of goals for students and faculty alike. We do this not by taking on new methods and means at every turn, but with a laser focused calculation that only finds true success over time. Students need to know what we expect for and from them in our effort to help them reach their potential. Faculty need clear goals, unfettered support, and inspiration in their walk alongside students each day. Sometimes this means setting rigorous goals that we must all jump on board to accomplish because of their value. Contrary to popular belief, sometimes this can also mean setting goals for people to do LESS, so they can be really good at the areas that matter. Financial Responsibility Facilities, tax rates, salaries, and on and on and on. Both as my time as a business owner and my time working on church budgets, it doesn't take long to see that when money isn't handled properly, it can easily become the proverbial 'tail that wags the dog.' Continuing to successfully operate a multi-million dollar business, I understand the in's and out's of financial decisions and the weight they carry on large scales; we must continue the effort to carefully craft financial decisions that have such a far reaching impact on the district as a whole.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

The Dallas Morning News survey

Armstrong participated in the following survey conducted by The Dallas Morning News. The questions provided by The Dallas Morning News appear bolded, and Armstrong's responses follow below.

Why are you running for this office, and why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?

“	I am running for the Richardson ISD School Board because I have a genuine desire to serve. While I commend each of my opponents in an election that requires a heavy time commitment and no compensation (something I think speaks to each of our desire to serve the greater good), I think I bring the following advantages: Business, construction, and leadership experience: I am president of a multi-million dollar company that requires me on a daily basis to sharpen my visioning and leaderships skills, as well as exposing me to a level of financial management that some candidates may not be familiar with; I think this is an important factor in managing a 300+ million dollar entity. Additionally, my company is a commercial General Contractor, a great asset as we continue to live into conversations about overcrowding and what to do about aging schools. To my knowledge, I alone would bring this perspective to the Board. In the trenches perspective; My wife has been an educator for 10 years, in Richardson ISD for 6 of those. I get to hear on a weekly basis about the passions, frustrations, joys, and barriers faced by the educators around us, both in the classroom and administration. In addition, my wife is a third generation educator, including two superintendents, and I have immediate family employed currently in an admin role for a superintendent in another Texas school district. Education has been, is, and will remain a constant conversation in our lives. Long history of serving; I spent the first 10 years of my career in a formal ministry context, and I would bring that desire to serve with me to this position; This is evident in my current involvement in many civic and community items.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

If elected, what two issues would you give the most attention and resources?

“	Targeted Vision and Goals, specifically for staff members- I want to continue to be a part of the effort to have a unified vision and goals for the district, freeing our faculty from distraction and allowing them to do what they love, to the benefit of the students we are tasked to be trustees of. This would include communication, to make sure that vision and those goals are known and shared, so we can properly measure the success or failure of the vision. Financial Responsibility- this is key for any industry and the implications go up as the dollar amounts go up. We must make well-informed, carefully crafted decisions on how we spend the tax payers dollars each year, again, to the benefit of students.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

For non-incumbent trustees: Have you attended any school board meetings? If so, what have you learned about how a board member can be effective?

“	I have attended school board meetings in the past, one of which I was able to share about a district issue. I don't think those meetings have taught me about how I can be effective as a board member, however. My knowledge has come from interactions with current board members and community members. I think we must strike a good balance between the proverbial "yes men and women", and the "apple cart upsetter". We must constantly disrupt, challenge, and grow ourselves as a district and as a board. However, this must be healthy growth, healthy challenging, and an attempt to unify, not divide; again, in an attempt to be a benefit to the students.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

As you look around the country, what innovative ideas would you recommend for improving classroom performance?

“	I think sometimes innovation comes in the form of simplicity. Innovation sometimes means cutting back things to make more space for what's important and we must do this with our faculty to let them focus on their love of teaching students. Additionally, when this question is asked, I think from time to time what we mean by innovation is, "how can we innovate given the standards we are under from our state when it comes to education?" I believe we must be prepared to work to force the state's expectations to meet a version of our collective standards as parents and community members, as much as it is in our power. And make no mistake, it is within our power.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

Given the current funding structure, how does your district meet the academic needs of its low-income students? Are you willing to ask voters to approve a tax increase to create or expand these programs?

“	From my observation, which has been frequent in terms of low-income students over the last 6 years, Richardson ISD does a good job of adding extra support to campuses whose students fit this description. That said, we need more of it. Education has been proven time after time to be a great equalizer. Financial responsibility is important. I would definitely be willing to ask voters to approve tax increases or expand these programs, but only after making sure that is the right solution, and not something that can be solved within the current budget structure. Additionally, it would only be an ask, to be followed by a period of listening and communicating, in an effort to be clear with one another about the desire to move forward with something of that magnitude.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

Many districts are exploring creative ways to save money or shift costs to parents and students. What creative measures would you favor or oppose and why?

“	I have said and will continue to say that fiscal responsibility is of the utmost importance. Funding or lack thereof can easily become the driver of any system, when not managed properly. That said, anything we do, as long as our vision encompasses ensuring that all students learn, grow, and succeed in RISD, should be a means to that end. This must be a constant and diligent effort, and I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of that process.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

The state has adopted an A through F accountability system for district and campuses. Do you favor or oppose this system and why?

“	In this area, I rely not on my own deep knowledge of this issue, but of all the education professionals in my life, who are many, including multiple superintendents, both current and retired. The majority consensus on this issue seems to be dissatisfaction, and I would agree with that assessment. Just as some other programs being looked at from a state level currently, this is poised to disproportionately affect low-income areas who are in most case already behind the curve to begin with. At the VERY least, the system needs major tweaking if it is to be successful as a long term tool.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

How would you assess the district’s efforts to improve graduation rates and increase the number of students prepared for college? What further improvements would you advocate?

“	I would assess this as a well-rounded item for RISD. I think this is a prime example of an area where I would want to just be a part of the ongoing momentum. It can be read in detail in the RISD improvement plan for 2016-2017 the ways and means proposed for continuing to become a district who promotes having college credit before graduation, as well as continuing to expand career and technical programs. I would advocate magnifying these efforts, especially in areas like expanding community partnership and partnership with higher education entities.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

What schools in your district have been particularly effective in getting every child up to grade level in reading and math?

“	I think RISD probably follows the trend of most surrounding districts, which is that the effectiveness in these areas at a given school are closely correlated with the socioeconomic makeup of that campus. The goal would be to make sure all our campus' are being effective in this area, to the best of our ability.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

How would you assess your district’s current school choice efforts, and what changes are needed?

“	School choice can be a broad topic. I know efforts in RISD include items regarding special needs students and students desiring to attend magnet schools, as an example. While I support these efforts, I am not in favor of large expansion of school choice at a district or state level, with a few exceptions, the aforementioned being a few of them. On a broad level, this is another example of something that disproportionately affects those already behind.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

How would you assess your superintendent’s performance?

“	I have heard great things from faculty and community members alike about our still relatively new superintendent. I think as with any large entity, time is needed to sift through results, determining what should be attributed to previous leadership, and what should be owned by the current position holder.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

Where do you stand on the importance of early-childhood education? Would you support increasing class-size ratios at other grade levels in order to introduce or expand pre-K?

“	I think the statistics speak for themselves on the benefit of early access to education for students of all class levels. That said, there are eligibility requirements in the State of Texas that a student must meet to attend. Roughly half of current RISD elementaries offer Pre-K, and it is mostly in areas of high need. Therefore, from a far glance, it seems as if we are meeting the needs in this area, although we must also make sure this is a part of our evaluation process, to ensure that it remains that way.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

What resources are lacking in schools in your district? How could the district deliver services in the most cost-effective manner?

“	Resources lacking in the district include special student services personnel, technology, paraprofessional staffing, and others. Again, the district is doing some really good things. But to be great, we must continue to work together to improve in the areas we fall short, and these are a few, not surprising to anyone involved. The district is working on these issues, with evidence in the recent bond and in the yearly budget. We need to monitor and continue these efforts.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

In what ways can your district’s communications with parents be improved? Likewise, how can parental involvement in your district improve?

“	Communication is one of my platform issues. When I attended the March board meeting, after presentations were made for student and teacher awards, and by the Special Student Services Department, and some of those folks had understandably left, there were 17 people left in the audience, in a district that houses 100,000+ people. That's not to say that I pretend to know all the reasons for that, and I know the average citizen doesn't desire to sit through 3 hours of legislative discussions. Nor do I think they should. But it speaks to our need to find avenues of clearly communicating not only the vision, but the assessment of the progress of that vision with the families in RISD. This of course needs to include technology, but regardless of the avenue, needs to include intentionality.	”
—Joseph Armstrong (2017)

See also

• Richardson Independent School District, Texas
• Richardson Independent School District elections (2017)

External links

Suggest a link

• Richardson Independent School District
• Campaign website
• Campaign Facebook page