Voting Information for the DISD School Board of Trustee Election (May 2, 2026)

SOD PAC Candidate Endorsements

SOD has endorsed the following candidates based on their commitment to public education and serving all students, teachers, and staff in Denton ISD.

Place 6 Endorsement

We are happy that two candidates with strong ties to our community and dedication to our schools are running for place 6. However, we are endorsing Greg Petolick based on his knowledge of school funding and recent experience leading the Prop A campaign.

Place 6 Candidate Q + A

Greg Petolick

Thank you to the Supporters of Denton ISD for your advocacy work related to DISD Schools. Teachers are the most important factor in student success inside a school building, and any policy decision we make should support and respect the professionals working in our classrooms every day.

1. Would you agree or disagree with this statement and why or why not? “Tests and academics are very important, but sometimes they have to be secondary, given what kids’ lives are like away from school.” 

Life is a balancing act for both students and families. I believe academics are critically important, but we also must recognize that students bring real-life challenges into the classroom. The goal isn’t to lower expectations, but to give teachers and schools the support they need to help students meet them. Strong schools maintain high standards while partnering with the family to provide the support systems students need to succeed. The district recently announced that it is reintroducing virtual learning for K-12 students via Denton Digital. This is a great example of how the district is identifying innovative ways to meet students’ ever-changing needs.

2. What is one thing the state or federal legislature could do to ensure the success of every student?

The legislature must provide stable, predictable, and adequate funding for public education in order to ensure the success of every student. School districts need consistency to plan effectively, support teachers, and invest in programs that improve student outcomes. When the legislature enacts additional requirements, those mandates should be fully funded so districts are not forced to reduce resources in existing programs to comply. For example, when the legislature mandated safety and security measures including a police presence in each school, they only funded 20% of the requirement, forcing districts to modify their budgets to comply. We all can agree that the requirements is important and a good addition, but it added an additional financial burden to already stressed budgets.

3. Incentive-based teacher pay is being pushed as a solution to retaining the best teachers. 
What are your thoughts on incentive-based pay and would you support legislation moving to this model? Why or why not?

Incentive pay can be part of the solution, but it should not replace a strong, competitive base salary. Teachers want to feel valued and supported, and compensation should reflect that. Any incentive system must be fair, transparent, and not overly reliant on a single metric like test scores. I believe that incentive pay should also include a team performance measure so that teachers will be incentivized to work together for the benefit of all students in the grade level.

Finally, incentive pay should not be mandated by the state legislature, but it should be left up to each community to determine if it meets their specific needs.

4. Now that the state has passed an ESA program, a form of school voucher program, the people would like to know your personal position on vouchers. Would you work to repeal the program?  Why or why not?
Would you support any changes to the current voucher program, and if so, what specifically? 

Parental choice is important, but public schools serve the vast majority of students and must remain strong. I would not support policies that reduce funding for public schools. Any ESA program should include transparency, accountability, and safeguards to ensure it does not negatively impact public school resources. My focus will remain on strengthening Denton ISD for all students.

5. What steps can state or federal governments take to encourage individuals to pursue a career in education?

Competitive pay is a key factor, but so is the work environment. We need to support teachers with strong campus and district leadership, manageable workloads, and opportunities for professional growth. Programs like student teaching support, loan assistance, and career pathways can also help attract talent. One of the most important things we can do is treat teaching like the respected profession that it is.

6. There is currently a great deal of dialogue around cell phones in classrooms? Do you believe that a cell phone policy (and similar policies) should be mandated state-wide or under local control by individual ISDs?

I generally support local control, as districts are best positioned to understand the needs of their students and communities. However, based on feedback I’ve received from teachers, there is value in having a clear, consistent state-level policy in this area. When expectations are set at the state level, it can make local enforcement easier and more consistent across campuses. Teachers have shared that it reduces conflict in the classroom, as they can point to a statewide standard rather than an individual campus or district rule. Ultimately, the goal should be to create a learning environment with minimal distractions while supporting teachers in maintaining that standard. Additionally, teachers have shared that they have seen a change for the better in student interaction and community within the schools.

7. Curriculum controversies: culture wars over curriculum have taken center stage and, in part, have driven the school choice momentum. What steps would you take to ensure schools are safe, inclusive and welcoming for all students?

Schools should focus on creating safe, respectful, and welcoming environments where every student can learn. That includes clear expectations for behavior, addressing bullying, especially in the digital age, and maintaining a strong focus on academic excellence. Schools work best when they stay focused on students, not politics.

At the same time, curriculum decisions should remain grounded in accuracy and a broad educational perspective. For example, as the State Board of Education considers updates to the social studies standards, it is important that instruction remains historically accurate and reflects both national and global context. Texas history is important and already well represented in our curriculum, but it should complement, not replace, a well-rounded understanding of U.S. and world history that prepares students to engage in an increasingly interconnected world.

8. What is your stance on the Bible passages being included in K-12 English curriculum?   The 10 Commandments being posted in public school classrooms? 

There is a place for studying religious texts, including the Bible, in an academic context such as literature or history. However, public schools must follow the law and ensure they are not promoting or endorsing a particular religion. The focus should remain on education, not religious instruction.

I do have concerns about the recent legislation requiring the 10 Commandments be posted in the classroom when donated to the school.  The US has always been the “great melting pot”. Historically this has been mostly in the Judeo-Christian tradition. As we are seeing in Denton ISD, this is changing as more and more people from different world religions choose the U.S. as their homeland.  We have always been a welcoming nation and valued our diversity. We must continue this tradition without making some children feel uncomfortable in our learning environments.

9. Please share your thoughts on the narrative that “public schools are failing students.”

I don’t believe that narrative reflects the full picture. Public schools are doing a lot of things well and serve a diverse and growing range of student needs. At the same time, there is always room for improvement, especially as expectations and workforce demands continue to evolve.

One important factor often overlooked is that while the basic structure of public education has remained largely the same over time, the number of responsibilities placed on schools has grown significantly. Schools are now expected to address a wide range of academic, social, and behavioral needs, which has compressed the time available for core instruction. As Jamie Volmer writes in his book, Schools Cannot Do It Alone, this expanding scope must be acknowledged and addressed if we want to improve outcomes and ensure students have the time and focus needed for learning.

The focus should be on supporting teachers, using data to drive better outcomes, and ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education. Strong public schools are essential to strong communities, and the goal should be continuous improvement, not broad generalizations that overlook the progress being made every day in our classrooms. 

Vicki Byrd

Candidate, DentonISD School Board Place 61. Would you agree or disagree with this statement and why or why not? “Tests and academics are very important, but sometimes they have to be secondary, given what kids’ lives are like away from school.” 

 I agree that tests and academics are VERY important but I would not consider learning opportunities secondary. There should be processes for assisting families with additional needs at home to ensure that students succeed successfully.

2. What is one thing the state or federal legislature could do to ensure the success of every student?

The single most impactful thing state or federal lawmakers could do to ensure the success of every student is to fully and fairly fund public education, especially for high‑need students.
That one required need unlocks nearly every other improvement schools are trying to make.

3. Incentive-based teacher pay is being pushed as a solution to retaining the best teachers. 
What are your thoughts on incentive-based pay and would you support legislation moving to this model? Why or why not?

Incentive pay can be helpful, but only when it is fair, transparent, and does not undermine teacher morale.

I would oppose legislation if:
• It ties teacher pay too heavily to standardized test scores.
• It creates inequities between campuses or subjects.
• It becomes an unfunded mandate, forcing districts to absorb the cost.
• It undermines collaboration or morale.
• It removes local flexibility in how teachers are evaluated or compensated.

4. Now that the state has passed an ESA program, a form of school voucher program, the people would like to know your personal position on vouchers. Would you work to repeal the program?  Why or why not?
Would you support any changes to the current voucher program, and if so, what specifically? 

My priority is ensuring strong, well‑funded public schools, because that is where the vast majority of Texas children learn. Public schools are required to serve every child—regardless of disability, income, language, or background—and vouchers directly affect the resources available to do that.

Speaking more to impact rather than ideology, I would support repealing or revising the program if evidence shows it harms public school funding, increases inequities, or reduces resources for high‑need students (which it clearly does).
• You can also note that public dollars should come with public accountability, and private schools receiving ESA funds are not held to the same transparency, reporting, or admission standards as public schools.
• You can emphasize that your responsibility as a trustee is to protect Denton ISD students, and you would oppose any program that weakens the district’s ability to serve them.

5. What steps can state or federal governments take to encourage individuals to pursue a career in education? 

State and federal governments can do a great deal to encourage more people to pursue a career in education, and the most effective strategies fall into a few clear categories: financial support, professional support, working‑conditions improvements, and long‑term career pathways. These approaches directly address the barriers that keep talented people from entering or staying in the profession.

6. There is currently a great deal of dialogue around cell phones in classrooms? Do you believe that a cell phone policy (and similar policies) should be mandated state-wide or under local control by individual ISDs?

A statewide cell‑phone mandate may create consistency, but the stronger, more effective approach is to keep these decisions under local control, where districts can tailor policies to their students, campuses, and community expectations. Recent Texas legislation (HB 1481) already requires districts to restrict device use during the school day, but it still preserves local flexibility in how those rules are implemented, acknowledging that communities differ in needs and resources

7. Curriculum controversies: culture wars over curriculum have taken center stage and, in part, have driven the school choice momentum. What steps would you take to ensure schools are safe, inclusive and welcoming for all students?

Curriculum conflicts can divide communities, but they also create an opportunity for strong leadership. By centering students, supporting teachers, and strengthening family partnerships, you can help Denton ISD rise above political noise and remain a place where every child feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

8. What is your stance on the Bible passages being included in K-12 English curriculum?   The 10 Commandments being posted in public school classrooms? 

I do not support requiring Bible passages in English curriculum or posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Public schools must remain neutral on matters of religion so every student—of any faith or no faith—feels welcome and respected. Our curriculum should be academically sound, inclusive, and aligned with state standards, not political or religious mandates.”

9. Please share your thoughts on the narrative that “public schools are failing students.”

“I reject the idea that public schools are failing. Our schools are doing remarkable work under enormous pressure. Instead of tearing them down, we should lift them up—with fair funding, strong family partnerships, and support for the teachers who show up for our kids every day.”Public schools are not failing—they are being asked to do more with less, and they are still delivering for students every day.