Frequently Asked Questions

Why are you running for WISD School Board? 

As a parent of two WISD students and a lifelong educator (20 years in various positions) I have seen firsthand the value of education and the incredible opportunities that an education provides students.  I am running for the WISD school board because I believe every student deserves the highest quality education possible.  Only the highest quality education will set a student up for success in the highly competitive job market that our country finds itself in today.  It is the role of the school system to set up our students for success after they graduate from our high schools so that they can be productive members of society.

Do you have any immediate family members in the district? 

Yes, I have a senior and a 7th-grade student.  My son has always been involved in advanced academics, and my daughter is a part of the special education program in WISD.  If elected, I will utilize my position on the board to advocate for all students, as I have firsthand experience in the opportunities that all aspects of the educational spectrum provide for students through my children and my professional endeavors.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish while serving the district? 

WISD is in a position where there are endless opportunities for growth and success.  The opportunities can be achieved with successful collaboration between the board and the district administration.  Collaboration on items such as enrollment, budget, teacher retention and recruitment is of paramount importance.  However, in this collaborative approach, the education of the student cannot be forgotten.  The collaborative effort must be rooted in the concept that the student's education comes first and that it must be of the highest quality possible.  With my experience in public education, I plan to bring an educator's perspective to these opportunities to ensure that students educations are protected, that our teachers are supported, and that all of the resources the district has are utilized to their fullest potential to fulfill the mission and vision of WISD.

What makes you the best candidate? 

There are several aspects of my candidacy that I believe make me the strongest candidate in the race.

1)  As a current educator, I am in the schoolhouse daily with teachers and administrators, learning from their successes.  Success that can be applied to WISD.  Additionally, as a current educator, I am deeply rooted in the accountability system, curriculum procurement process, and budgetary requirements.  I also believe this gives me a unique perspective that the other candidates do not have.  One of the highest compliments that I have ever been given was by a WISD administrator when she stated, "Mr. Hobbs, I really enjoy ARD meetings with you, because you always make me think about things in a different manner than I normally would." 

2)  With children in WISD, I have a strong desire to see that their education is of the highest quality, as well as for all of the students in WISD.  One of the aspects of the position that I feel is of utmost importance is listening to the community and following through with the information and ideas they provide.  This is especially true with students in special education.  As a parent of a special needs student, as well as a former special education coordinator for a large charter school, I completely understand the unique intricacies of the special education process and will use this knowledge to advocate for these students while on the board.  You will always hear me ask the question, "How does this policy affect our special education students?" to the individual presenting the information to the board.  These students cannot be forgotten in our educational processes.  

3)  As an educator, I truly care about all students, especially those in the community where I live, WISD.  There are going to be great opportunities in the district over the next several years, and I want to partner with the community to make sure these opportunities are advanced in the most beneficial way for our students.  With this collaboration, we can ensure that WISD is highly successful today, tomorrow, and in the distant future.

If elected, will you be approachable to students, staff, and community members who have questions or concerns? 

Absolutely!  I am more than willing to meet with any individual at any time via any means.  Whether that be a phone call, text message, Zoom meeting, or however the community member would like to visit with me.  I fully believe that the school is only as successful as its collaboration and support from the community, and I will take whatever means necessary to ensure the collaboration is strong and effective.  

What is your stance on property tax rates and school bonds?

I believe in a transparent approach to school funding. Under current law, the school board manages the tax rate within set limits, and I am committed to staying within those bounds unless the community clearly indicates otherwise through a ratification election. Because property valuations are handled by the county, the board’s role is to be disciplined with the revenue we receive, ensuring that our spending directly supports student success and classroom excellence."

When it comes to building for our future, Texas law designates school bonds as the primary way for a district to fund new construction. Much like a family taking out a mortgage for a home, this allows us to invest in essential facilities. However, my commitment to you is that a bond will only be proposed after exhaustive scrutiny. We must ensure that we borrow only what is absolutely necessary to meet our students' needs without placing an undue burden on our taxpayers.