Melissa Ross completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ross' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
I’m a fifth-generation educator, former teacher in Round Rock ISD, and a parent of two children who currently attend their neighborhood RRISD schools. I have deep roots in this community, having attended RRISD schools myself before earning dual degrees from UT Austin and spending a decade leading the Visual Arts department at Westwood High School. My lived experience as a non-traditional student, educator, and parent drives my passion for public education.
In addition to my teaching career, I have served on multiple PTA executive boards, participated in district-wide committees, and co-chaired the Capital Renewal subcommittee for the recent bond, giving me a comprehensive understanding of the needs and challenges facing our schools. I have also founded impactful community organizations that connect families with vital resources, always striving to build a more inclusive district where every student is supported, and every teacher feels valued and empowered to build a lifelong career.
My campaign is driven by a commitment to student success, teacher support, and fostering a district where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.
Student-Centered Education: I am committed to initiatives that prioritize the needs and well-being of our students, ensuring they have the resources and support to thrive both academically and personally.
Educator Support: I will foster a supportive environment that values and empowers our teachers, providing them with the tools, training, and resources they need for long-term, successful careers in RRISD.
Engaged, Inclusive Community: I believe in transparent, accountable decision-making that values diverse voices. By engaging the entire community, I will work to build trust and ensure that equity is at the forefront of all policies, leading to a stronger, more inclusive district.
I am passionate about public education policy, with a focus on teacher support, special education, and funding reform. Texas' special education system is severely underfunded, leaving many students without essential resources. We must shift to enrollment-based funding for a more stable financial foundation. While funding is the most urgent need, we also need to reform how the state handles testing, curriculum, and accountability to meet the diverse needs of students and educators.
I will advocate for increased special education funding, shift away from overemphasizing standardized testing and one-size-fits-all curricula. Protecting public education is critical for community success, and I am committed to strengthening Round Rock ISD.
Round Rock needs a school board member who understands our community, the needs of our teachers and administrators, and can hit the ground running on day one with the wisdom to solve the issues facing our schools.
In addition to my experience, I’m a dedicated listener who brings people together to find creative solutions that benefit the whole community. I am methodical and take the time necessary to evaluate the pros and cons of the decisions we make and how that will impact students and our community. I value the ideas of others. I know that to solve the problems ahead, we need to bring together a variety of voices and ideas across our community.
Having spent years in the classroom and as a parent advocate, I understand both the challenges and the opportunities in public education.
As a school board member, I hope to leave a legacy of connection and empowerment for both students and teachers - to help make Round Rock ISD a place where every student, regardless of background, can thrive, and where teachers feel valued, supported, and able to build long-term careers. Additionally, I want to foster a culture of community-driven decision-making, where every voice is heard, respected, and plays a role in shaping the future of our schools.
The primary job of a school board trustee is to provide governance and oversight for the district while representing the community that elected them. As part of a body corporate, the board acts collectively to set the district’s vision and goals, adopt policies that guide operations, hire and evaluate the superintendent, approve the budget, and advocate for the district’s needs with the community and legislators. These responsibilities ensure the board strikes a balance between governance and advocacy, supporting district leadership in achieving educational goals and ensuring the responsible management of taxpayer resources.
Safety in schools begins with creating an environment where students, faculty, and staff feel secure. My approach is driven by principles of prevention, preparedness, and community well-being. Safety is an all-encompassing responsibility that includes not only protection from potential violent situations but also preparedness for weather events, health concerns, bullying, and other daily occurrences.
As the Capital Renewal Committee Co-Chair for the recent Citizen Bond Committee, I played a key role in shaping recommendations to maximize security on our campuses. This includes moving students from portables to secure buildings, upgrading infrastructure, and enhancing safety measures such as fencing, surveillance, and secure entry points. These improvements ensure daily protection while enabling swift and effective emergency responses, keeping our schools safe in every sense.
I advocate for three key strategies to support the mental health needs of students, faculty, and staff:
Increase access to mental health professionals: Expand the number of counselors and mental health professionals in schools to ensure every student and staff member has timely access to support when needed.
Provide professional development: Equip teachers and staff with training on how to identify and address mental health challenges in students, foster a supportive work environment, and ensure access to wellness programs for faculty and staff.
Recruit and retain visionary educators: Attract and keep teachers and administrators who prioritize mental health, focus on early identification for accessibility services, and support the holistic development of students—socially, emotionally, and academically.
I am proud to have received a broad range of endorsements from both partisan and non-partisan organizations that are deeply committed to public education and actively work in the Round Rock ISD area. My endorsements include groups such as Anti-Racists Coming Together, Education Round Rock, and Access Education. I am also supported by local organizations like the Travis County Democratic Party, Williamson County Democratic Party, and numerous local elected officials and community leaders. These endorsements highlight our shared vision of a community working together to address the challenges facing our schools. For an updated list of endorsements, please visit my website.
I understand that every parent wants the best for their child. As a teacher, special education advocate, parent representative with the Travis County Community Partners for Children (CRCG-CPC), and mom of two RRISD students, Whether I was guiding parents on the benefits of the IB program, offering advice on college preparation, or sharing the challenges of raising kids in this community, I’ve always valued the unique insight each parent brings.
To build strong relationships with parents, I will actively attend PTA meetings, hold regular town halls, and keep open lines of communication through newsletters and social media. I want parents to feel heard and empowered to contribute to the decision-making process. My goal is to ensure their concerns and ideas are always part of the conversation.
Round Rock ISD excels in attracting and retaining quality teachers through competitive pay and strong support programs. To continue improving, we must focus on creating an even more supportive work environment by aligning pay with the cost of living, diversifying recruitment efforts, and expanding outreach to underrepresented communities. By partnering with local universities and offering mentorship and leadership development opportunities, we can attract top talent while ensuring our teaching staff reflects the diversity of our student population.
Additionally, personalized professional development and increased autonomy are crucial to making teachers feel valued and supported in their roles. These efforts will help strengthen retention and foster a positive, empowering work environment for all educators.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Note: Ross submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on October 21, 2024.
As a school board member, I hope to leave a legacy of connection and empowerment for both students and teachers - to help make Round Rock ISD a place where every student, regardless of background, can thrive, and where teachers feel valued, supported, and able to build long-term careers. Additionally, I want to foster a culture of community-driven decision-making, where every voice is heard, respected, and plays a role in shaping the future of our schools.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Note: Ross submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on October 10, 2024.
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