Richard Young (Texas)

Richard Young

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Richard Young was a candidate for District 2 representative on the Dallas Independent School District school board in Texas. Young was defeated in the by-district general election on May 6, 2017.

Elections

2017

See also: Dallas Independent School District elections (2017)

Three of the nine seats on the Dallas Independent School District board of trustees in Texas were up for general election on May 6, 2017. In District 2, Lori Kirkpatrick and incumbent Dustin Marshall defeated Richard Young, but neither of them received a majority of the vote. Because of this, they faced off in a runoff election on June 10, 2017, where Marshall defeated Kirkpatrick to retain his seat on the board. In District 6, incumbent Joyce Foreman defeated challenger Phelesha Hamilton. Because District 8 incumbent Miguel Solis was the only candidate to file for that seat, the race was canceled. Solis won re-election by default.

Results

Dallas Independent School District, District 2 General Election, 3-year term, 2017
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Lori Kirkpatrick	49.79%	5,265
Dustin Marshall Incumbent	47.04%	4,974
Richard Young	3.18%	336
Total Votes		10,575
Source: Dallas County Elections, "2017 Joint Election," accessed September 20, 2017

Funding

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

Young reported no contributions or expenditures to the Dallas Independent School District as of May 1, 2017.

Campaign themes

2017

Young participated in the following survey conducted by The Dallas Morning News. The questions provided by The Dallas Morning News appear bolded, and Young'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 District 2 to help bring about many great changes, that are years long overdue, that would benefit our children, parents, community, and district as a whole. I have eighteen years of faithful public service to Texas public schools, serving in many capacities. My voters should choose me over my opponents, because I have years of knowledge and expertise that I could use to make sound decisions when voting on agenda items that would greatly benefit our district.	”
—Richard Young (2017)

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

“	If elected, the two issues I would give the most attention to and resources to would be: Making sure ALL students safety, academic, and learning needs are met, with a special emphasis to students labeled as having a disability and/or being labeled as Bilingual/ESL. The second issue would be increasing the communication and feedback among ALL staff members across the district.	”
—Richard Young (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 and outside of Dallas I.S.D. I have learned that a board member can be effective just by listening to constituents and other board members, maintaining professionalism and decorum, and using expertise and knowledge when making important decisions that would affect our schools.	”
—Richard Young (2017)

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

“	When looking around the country, Innovative ideas I would recommend for improving classroom performance is increasing parental involvement, listen more to our children, decrease the number of local and state-wide assessments, make staff and professional development more relevant and meaningful, and increase more reading and writing without diminishing the use of technology.	”
—Richard Young (2017)

Given the current funding structure, how does Dallas ISD 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?

“	Dallas I.S.D is not fully meeting the academic needs of its low-income students. I am willing to ask voters to approve a tax increase to create or expand such programs.	”
—Richard Young (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 continue to communicate with all interested and responsible parties to assess and evaluate the district's efforts to improve graduation rates and increase the number of students prepared for college. Further improvements that I would advocate is increasing more AP and Pre-AP courses at the high school level, and increasing more Talented and Gifted programs at the elementary and middle school campuses.	”
—Richard Young (2017)

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

“	Sudie Williams Elementary has increased the use and type of technology, particularly with students whom are deaf or have hearing impairments, in getting every child up to grade level in reading and math.	”
—Richard Young (2017)

How would you assess Dallas ISD’s current school choice efforts, and what changes, if any, are needed?

“	I would assess Dallas I.S.D.'s current school choice efforts by seeking more information and closely monitoring on how students are benefiting from school choice efforts, what expenditures are being utilized, how school choice affects the current budget, and are current programs or departments being affected by school choice.	”
—Richard Young (2017)

Dallas ISD is rapidly expanding its collegiate academies. How can the district ensure that it is creating high-quality programs, not just growing quantity?

“	The district can ensure that it is creating high-quality programs by challenging the students, monitoring academies for rigorous and meaningful activities, and seek to get feedback from the students of these programs.	”
—Richard Young (2017)

What is your view of the Teacher Excellence Initiative?

“	I do NOT support the Teacher Excellence Initiative. This system is subjective and moot. Teachers are not being properly or fairly evaluated on their effective teaching practices. Teachers should not have an increase in pay based on student evaluations, students test scores. Rather, teachers should receive "extra pay" for student evaluations and student test scores. Many students do not test or are exempt from many tests. Many students do not evaluate their own teachers. This is unfair to many educators. Administrators are easily seeking ways to unfairly using the TEI against teachers they want to get rid of.	”
—Richard Young (2017)

How do you assess Superintendent Michael Hinojosa's tenure since he rejoined the district?

“	I asses Superintendent Michael Hinojosa's tenure since he rejoined the district by looking at quality and quantifiable data such as climate surveys and test scores. I also speak to staff and seek responses from them to draw conclusions and make inferences on how Hinojosa is progressing, exceeding expectations, and going above and beyond to make sure the district as a whole is moving forward.	”
—Richard Young (2017)

Where do you stand on the importance of early-childhood education? Would you support increasing class-size ratios by one or two students at the middle school and high school level in order to introduce or expand pre-K?

“	I strongly support the importance of early-childhood education. I would never support increasing class-size ratios at the secondary level in order to introduce or expand Pre-K programs. I feel there are other measures the district can take besides increasing secondary class sizes in order to gain or maintain early childhood or Pre-K programs.	”
—Richard Young (2017)

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

“	I feel many homeless children in my trustee district are lacking safety, nutritional, and academic resources both at school and home. The communication from the "Homelessness" Department of the district should increase among campuses serving homeless students, as well as the parents and families with homeless children. The district should take a micro approach to these students and see what it is specifically they are lacking.	”
—Richard Young (2017)

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

“	D.I.S.D.'s communications with parents in my trustee district can be improved by keeping individual school websites updated. Newsletters and invitations to special events needs to increase. Spokespersons of the district should also do their part by conducting home visits to families and asking questions and gaining insight from parents, whether it is invitations to events, or listening to problems and conflicts that plague families.	”
—Richard Young (2017)

See also

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

External links

Suggest a link

• Dallas Independent School District
• Campaign website
• Twitter account
• LinkedIn profile