Krystal Denise Sams
Krystal Denise Sams was a candidate for Place 4 representative on the DeSoto Independent School District school board in Texas. Sams was defeated in the by-district general election on May 6, 2017.
Elections
2017
Three of the seven seats on the DeSoto Independent School District board of trustees were up for general election on May 6, 2017. Place 3 incumbent Karen Daniel defeated former board member Van Stripling and challengers Demetric Brown and Jeremy Woods. Tiffany Clark defeated Place 4 incumbent Jerry Hall, DeAndrea Fleming, and Krystal Denise Sams in the race for the Place 4 seat. In the race for the Place 5 seat, incumbent Aubrey Hooper defeated challengers A'Londa Barber, Laneshia Jordan, and Darrell Porter.[1][2]
Results
| DeSoto Independent School District, Place 4 General Election, 3-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Tiffany Clark |
52.45% | 1,091 |
| Jerry Hall Incumbent | 22.84% | 475 |
| DeAndrea Fleming | 16.35% | 340 |
| Krystal Denise Sams | 8.37% | 174 |
| Total Votes | 2,080 | |
| Source: Dallas County Elections, "2017 Joint Election," accessed September 20, 2017 | ||
Funding
Sams reported no contributions or expenditures to the Dallas County Elections Office as of May 1, 2017.[3]
Campaign themes
2017
Sams participated in the following survey conducted by The Dallas Morning News. The questions provided by The Dallas Morning News appear bolded, and Sams' responses follow below.
Why are you running for this office, and why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
| “ | I'm running to help improve our district. I offer visibility and availability. When you elect me, that is who you will receive. I come investing my time and my attention to our students. I have no other time restraints that would hinder me from being a visible presence within the district and our community. I offer more than a name; I offer my time and presence. Being self-employed affords me the flexibility necessary to show up for our district and our community.[4] | ” |
| —Krystal Denise Sams (2017)[5] | ||
If elected, what two issues would you give the most attention and resources?
| “ | We must promote community engagement. Community investment in our public-school system is a vital part of its success. Our fast food business, retail stores, and grocery stores, employ a lot of our students. We must encourage and nurture these relationships. Strong communities promote strong public schools. We need to encourage more student literacy. Reading expands young minds and enhances their educational experience.[4] | ” |
| —Krystal Denise Sams (2017)[5] | ||
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 board meetings. I have learned through observation, to be effective, you must be prepared. If there is no prior study given to the material presented in the agenda, a board member can’t be effective. Being a board member requires time availability to be effective.[4] | ” |
| —Krystal Denise Sams (2017)[5] | ||
As you look around the country, what innovative ideas would you recommend for improving classroom performance?
| “ | For a more effective classroom, we must ensure that the basic needs of each student is met. Classroom performance is ultimately dictated by the individual student. If the student is not equipped with the essential resources needed for success, no amount of innovation can aid classroom performance.[4] | ” |
| —Krystal Denise Sams (2017)[5] | ||
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?
| “ | DeSoto ISD ensures that every student has access to their academic requirements. We also have resources to accommodate for various income backgrounds. I would start be exposing the help that these students need.[4] | ” |
| —Krystal Denise Sams (2017)[5] | ||
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 believe that district funds should go towards the needs of the students.[4] | ” |
| —Krystal Denise Sams (2017)[5] | ||
The state has adopted an A through F accountability system for district and campuses. Do you favor or oppose this system and why?
| “ | School districts must adjust their approach to this new ranking system. The new ranking system focuses more on community engagement, AP course enrollment, attendance and dropout rates. School districts have no choice but to create measures to ensure these merits are met. Push community involvement, become more creative with tutoring initiatives to produce more advanced students, and develop incentives for attendance which will curb dropout rates. Action in these areas must be taken, no one wants to work for or attend, C and F ranked schools.[4] | ” |
| —Krystal Denise Sams (2017)[5] | ||
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?
| “ | More college readiness courses.[4] | ” |
| —Krystal Denise Sams (2017)[5] | ||
What schools in your district have been particularly effective in getting every child up to grade level in reading and math?
| “ | No Comment.[4] | ” |
| —Krystal Denise Sams (2017)[5] | ||
How would you assess your district’s current school choice efforts, and what changes are needed?
| “ | No Comment.[4] | ” |
| —Krystal Denise Sams (2017)[5] | ||
How would you assess your superintendent’s performance?
| “ | No Comment.[4] | ” |
| —Krystal Denise Sams (2017)[5] | ||
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?
| “ | No Comment.[4] | ” |
| —Krystal Denise Sams (2017)[5] | ||
What resources are lacking in schools in your district? How could the district deliver services in the most cost-effective manner?
| “ | No Comment.[4] | ” |
| —Krystal Denise Sams (2017)[5] | ||
In what ways can your district’s communications with parents be improved? Likewise, how can parental involvement in your district improve?
| “ | Promote more parent involvement by engaging Parents and offering more support to them.[4] | ” |
| —Krystal Denise Sams (2017)[5] | ||
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ DeSoto Independent School District, "Board Member Election," accessed February 19, 2017
- ↑ Dallas County Elections, "Unofficial Cumulative Results," accessed May 6, 2017These election results are unofficial and will be updated after official vote totals are made available.
- ↑ Dallas County Elections, "Campaign Reporting," accessed May 1, 2017
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 The Dallas Morning News, "Voter Guide: DeSoto ISD, Place 4," accessed May 3, 2017
| DeSoto Independent School District elections in 2017 | |
| Dallas County, Texas | |
| Election date: | May 6, 2017 |
| Candidates: | Place 3: • Incumbent, Karen Daniel • Demetric Brown • Van Stripling • Jeremy Woods Place 4: • Incumbent, Jerry Hall • Tiffany Clark • DeAndrea Fleming • Krystal Denise Sams Place 5: • Incumbent, Aubrey Hooper • A'Londa Barber • Laneshia Jordan • Darrell Porter |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Additional elections on the ballot • Key deadlines |
