Russell Wiggs
Russell Wiggs was a candidate for District 4 representative on the El Paso Independent School District school board in Texas. Wiggs was defeated in the by-district runoff election on June 10, 2017.
Wiggs previously served on the board from 2009 to 2013, when he was removed from office by Texas Commissioner of Education Michael Williams. All seven board members were removed at that time due to a cheating scandal that ultimately led to the indictment of the district's former superintendent Lorenzo Garcia.[1][2]
Elections
2017
Four of the seven seats on the El Paso Independent School District board of trustees in Texas were up for general election on May 6, 2017. In his bid for re-election to District 1, incumbent Robert Geske defeated Mariah Lauritzen. District 3 incumbent Susannah Byrd ran unopposed and won another term on the board by default. District 4 incumbent Diane Dye and former board member Russell Wiggs defeated Timothy Groover, but neither of them received a majority of the votes cast. Because of this, a runoff election was held on June 10, 2017, where Dye defeated Wiggs to retain her seat. The race for the District 5 seat included incumbent Chuck Taylor and challenger Miguel Rueda. Taylor won re-election to the seat.[3][4][5]
Results
| El Paso Independent School District, District 4 Runoff Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Diane Dye Incumbent |
53.57% | 886 |
| Russell Wiggs | 46.43% | 768 |
| Total Votes | 1,654 | |
| Source: El Paso County Elections, "Election Summary Report," accessed August 22, 2017 | ||
| El Paso Independent School District, District 4 General Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Russell Wiggs |
45.53% | 758 |
| Diane Dye Incumbent |
34.17% | 569 |
| Timothy Groover | 20.30% | 338 |
| Total Votes | 1,665 | |
| Source: El Paso County Elections, "May 6, 2017 - Official Final Election Results," accessed June 6, 2017 | ||
Funding
Wiggs reported $1,500.00 in contributions and $533.22 in expenditures to the El Paso Independent School District, which left his campaign with $966.78 on hand as of April 6, 2017.[6]
Endorsements
Wiggs was endorsed by the El Paso branch of the American Federation of Teachers (El Paso AFT) in the general election.[7][8]
Campaign themes
2017
Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce survey
Wiggs participated in the following survey conducted by the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce. The questions provided by the chamber appear bolded, and Wiggs' responses follow below.
What experiences in leadership do you have that qualify you to serve as a school trustee?
| “ | I have served as president and treasurer of El Paso Youth Soccer, at the time it was the largest youth sports organization in El Paso. I have served as secretary and president of Trinity Lutheran Church and am currently the treasurer. I have served within EPISD on the Athletic Facilities Committee, the 2007 Bond Accountability Committee and the Campus Improvement Team for several elementary and high schools as well as serving on the BOT from 2009-13. I am currently serving on the EPISD Education Foundation, starting in 2009 and have been president since 2015. I am also serving on the STEM committee for Irvin HS as well as the building committee and CIT.[9] | ” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[10] | ||
What is motivating you to run for a school board trustee seat?
| “ | My motivation is the children of this community, to insure that they receive the best possible education and to be a part of making EPISD the district of choice in the El Paso area. I will visit the campuses and listen to the administrators, teachers and students in order to make decision that will benefit our students. El Paso will only truly become a metropolitan city with an educated work force, one that will draw the type of jobs that are now going to Albuquerque, Tucson, Dallas, Austin and other cities in the southwest. I feel it is my civic duty to serve my community and I bring a passion for improving the lives of the children in our community as they become the leaders of tomorrow.[9] | ” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[10] | ||
Describe the impact you expect to make on the strategic direction of the school district and how does your specific personal experience support that expectation?
| “ | I bring the necessary experience and knowledge to make the decisions that will benefit our students. I realize that as a single Trustee and I do not have the power to effect change but I can work with the other Trustee’s to effectively bring about the positive and necessary decision to allow our students to succeed at an exceptional level. I am able to listen to the faculty at the schools and work with administration so as to implement the tools needed that will positively enhance the learning at the classroom level. I have seen innovative programs such as New-Tech High and PBL’s in action and am open to progressing the 21st Century Classroom.[9] | ” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[10] | ||
Trustees, as elected by specific district, must act and govern for the entire school district, not just advocate for the schools within their particular geography. Describe a time when you had to balance potentially conflicting priorities with multiple stakeholders, and how did you determine how to allocate resources and investment to meet the needs of all?
| “ | From my past experience on the BOT I am well aware that even though we are elected through single member districts and we must answer to our district community our ultimate decision making must be what we best for the district as a whole. This was evident when the BOT’s discussed the closing and consolidation of some of the district’s school. One of the schools targeted for closing was located in my district and though it would have been difficult on the neighborhood ultimately the decision would have been beneficial to the entire district through tremendous cost savings and the economy of size.[9] | ” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[10] | ||
The role and responsibility of a trustee is governance, oversight, and setting policy. Tell us about your experience in honoring the scope of responsibility in a past role. How did you make sure you did not cross over into the tactical execution of another person’s responsibility in the organization?
| “ | Since I have served as President of Trinity Lutheran Church and El Paso Youth Soccer League as well as in other capacities such as Treasurer I am well aware of the duties and responsibilities as outlined in the organizations constitution for each office. Each office has its role and its responsibilities and you must allow the others to perform their duties for you to have an effective organization. Though there were always reports and checks to ensure that they were performing their duties as required.[9] | ” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[10] | ||
Attracting and retaining talented educators is critical to the success of a healthy school district. Describe your past experience as a leader supporting the broad strategy of identifying, selecting, and retaining top talent.
| “ | I have been fortunate enough to be able to sit in on several successful interviews within EPISD. So I have seen first-hand who is applying for the district and the quality of educators who want to be part of the team. It is critical that we offer as a district the type of benefit and salary package that is not only competitive but at such a level that the district can retain and attract the best talent available. The district must also cultivate an atmosphere throughout the schools that employees want to be there and feel they are a valued part of EPISD.[9] | ” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[10] | ||
Describe your experience in managing large, complex budgets.
| “ | I was part of the budget process with EPISD from 2009 through 2013.[9] | ” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[10] | ||
Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime? Have you ever had a civil judgment against you? Have you ever been in arrears on local, state or federal taxes? If so, please provide an explanation.
| “ | I can answer no to all of the above questions.[9] | ” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[10] | ||
If elected, would you have any potential conflicts of interest that you are aware of that would impair your ability to serve as a school board trustee? Please explain.
| “ | I would have no potential conflicts of interest.[9] | ” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[10] | ||
What education innovations would you advocate as a trustee?
| “ | I was involved in bringing the STEM academy to Irvin HS as well as the New Tech High to Irvin HS. I believe both of those innovations will be an enormous benefit to the students at Irvin, they will also benefit the feeder schools as well since the New Tech program will be expanded to the feeder pattern. It is also being used at Franklin HS and is expanding to that feeder pattern as well. As much as those innovations will improve the education of those students involved I firmly believe that we must focus on the basics in elementary schools and especially at our middle schools. It is imperative that as students enter high school they are on level with their cohorts, they have to read and write. The district needs to listen to our teachers and provide them with the curriculum that they want and use, not what central office thinks they should have.
I am also in support of both a separate girl’s academy as well as a true fine arts academy.[9] |
” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[10] | ||
Please describe your education. Where did you get your high school diploma? What higher education degrees and certificates have you earned?
| “ | Graduated from Irvin HS in 1975 Graduated from UTEP with a BBA in 1979 |
” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[10] | ||
Do you have other remarks you would like to share about your candidacy?
| “ | I look forward to giving back to my community through doing my civic duty and serving on the BOT’s representing district 4. It is my vision to see to it that every student have the same tools available to them and the same opportunities no matter what part of the district they live in or their economic status. It is our goal to have every student succeed.[9] | ” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[10] | ||
VOTE411 Voter Guide survey
Wiggs participated in the following survey conducted by the VOTE411 Voter Guide. The questions provided by the guide appear bolded, and Wiggs' responses follow below.
Why are you running for a trustees position on the school board?
| “ | I have deep passion for helping the youth of our community. From coaching youth soccer for 25 years, to serving on the Athletic Facilities Committee, 2007 Bond Accountability Committee, several CIT's, the Board of Trustees from 2009-13 to my current position as President of the EPISD Education Foundation I have done so to benefit the youth of our community. I see the need for a true advocate for the administrators of our schools, the faculty, the community and the students. As I have done in the past I will listen to those in my community, visit the schools and listen to those at the grass roots so that in all of my decision I will do what is best for the students. Every student needs to receive all the tools needed to be successful.[9] | ” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[11] | ||
Are you willing to have a student participate on the board?
| “ | I would be willing to entertain a program where a student from each high school would rotate sitting on the board at each regular scheduled meeting. We might eventually expand it to a middle school student but I would need to see how the program worked with the high school students first. Since they would not be an elected member they would not have a voting position but they would definitely be allowed to voice their opinions. They also would not be able to be involved in closed session since sensitive subject is usually involved with those. I would see this as an extension of the current program of Super SAC, in which student council students meet with the administration once a month and can ask questions and express concerns to them directly without school faculty and administrators present.[9] | ” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[11] | ||
What is your position on the DACA for children in your school district, should the district offer or continue to offer training for the parents or guardians of the children?
| “ | The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is for those who come to the US prior to age 16 and from what I have read does not seem to have a direct impact on going to school or not. All children in the United States have a right to a free public education regardless of whether they are a citizen or non-citizen. EPSID can only request that they have a US address here in the attendance zone. EPISD is solely in the business of educating students and not in law enforcement. The district can and should encourage students and their families to find about their rights and their options, make resources and information available. Schools may offer after hours classes in English so that non-English speakers can learn to communicate and eventually become legal productive citizens.[9] | ” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[11] | ||
What do you hope to accomplish during your term on the school board?
| “ | My vision for my district as well as the whole EPISD is to make this the district of choice for the students of the El Paso area. I want every child to receive all the necessary tools to not all only graduate but to become a successful member of the El Paso community. With a better educated work force El Paso will be better suited for improved job opportunities, meaning a higher standard of living for all within our community. Safe Facilities and the right Curriculum are essential.[9] | ” |
| —Russell Wiggs (2017)[11] | ||
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Russell Wiggs," accessed April 10, 2017
- ↑ El Paso Times, "Removed trustee runs for EPISD board," February 19, 2017
- ↑ El Paso Independent School District, "May 6, 2017 Board of Trustees Election," accessed February 20, 2017
- ↑ El Paso Independent School District, "Minutes of Meeting of Board of Trustees February 28, 2017," accessed April 10, 2017
- ↑ El Paso County Elections, "May 6, 2017 - Uniform Election Unofficial Final Election Results," accessed May 6, 2017
- ↑ El Paso Independent School District, "File Browser - Campaign Finance Reports," accessed April 17, 2017
- ↑ El Paso AFT, "EP AFT School Board Endorsements," accessed April 17, 2017
- ↑ El Paso AFT, "EPISD District 4 Endorsement - Diane Dye," accessed May 19, 2017
- ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 9.14 9.15 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce, "Russell L. Wiggs, EPISD-District 4," accessed May 19, 2017
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 VOTE411 Voter Guide, "EPISD Board of Trustees, District No. 4," accessed April 17, 2017
| El Paso Independent School District elections in 2017 | |
| El Paso County, Texas | |
| Election date: | May 6, 2017 |
| Candidates: | District 1: • Incumbent, Robert Geske • Mariah Lauritzen District 3: • Incumbent, Susannah Byrd District 4: • Incumbent, Diane Dye • Timothy Groover • Russell Wiggs District 5: • Incumbent, Charles Taylor • Miguel Rueda |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Additional elections on the ballot • Key deadlines |
