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Margaret Mead once said, ?Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.? {{more: continue …}}
Joe Taylor holds this proposition close as he works to help others, especially our youth.
TRUSTED AND PROVEN LEADERSHIP
Joe Taylor has a history of trusted and proven leadership. During his 25 years of service in Kennedale, he has a record of results, progress, vision and goals, good representation and advocacy for our students, families, and community. Joe has worked tirelessly for the youth and educators of Kennedale ISD and for our community. He could stand on his record, but he doesn?t, – Joe has a big vision and goals for work to be done going forward.??
Joe and Ginger Taylor moved into the Kennedale school district in 1986. They first got involved serving in Kennedale schools when their daughter Emily began kindergarten in 1993. Ginger became a PTA mom in a near full-time capacity while Joe supported that effort. Their son Ben entered school 3 years later and their work has not stopped. Along with PTA efforts, including events like chili cookoff scholarship fundraisers, prom nights, many fundraisers and other events, Joe and Ginger have a reputation for helping anyone in need.
A HISTORY OF SERVICE FOR OUR COMMUNITY?
Joe has served with Kennedale Boy Scouts, as a Board Member representing KISD with the Kennedale Area Chamber of Commerce, the South Tarrant Chamber, the KISD Education Foundation, and the Kennedale Rotary Club. He has served as The KISD Planning Committee Chairman, on Kennedale?s Vision 2015 Strategic Plan Committee, the KHS Career and Technology Advisory Board, our Congressman?s Tarrant Advisory Board, the Texas Association of School Boards Advocacy Network representing schools at the state house, and in his church. He has served on the KISD Board of Trustees since 2000, and is known as a mentor, team player, and leader who will reach across divides to find the win for all. He believes in representing all the community in his service on the school board.
RELATIONSHIPS DEEP AND WIDE
Taylor?s relationships developed over the years are deep and wide. In addition to many families in the community, they include leadership at city hall, Tarrant County, and the Texas Legislators including our Senator, State Representatives and others including their office staffers, as well as our Congressman and his office. Relationships matter and Joe is known to all of these as a representative for our community and schools who is steadfast in work with them for our benefit. Relationships matter, it?s how things get done, and Joe?s relationships are valuable to our district and our community.
GREAT SUCCESSES
Kennedale schools have come a long way and we?ve been hugely successful in recent years. We are one of the top Texas Class 4A schools. One good reference point is the Texas UIL Lone Star Cup. For each of the last few years KHS has been in the top few Texas Class 4A schools competing for the UIL Lone Star Cup, – a measure of our school?s success in all academic events included in the State Academic Meet, along with points for accomplishments in band competitions, theatre, and athletics.
Our students are excelling in state competitions in every discipline. Every KISD campus is meeting or exceeding state standards and attaining greater levels of achievement each year. Kennedale schools have truly raised the bar in becoming a great district, – a district where educators and families move to bring their kids.
GREAT RESULTS
During Taylor?s time on the board, some results and victories for the district include:?
- Career and Technology Education Programs ? opportunities for business and industry related education and preparation for post-secondary opportunities for students, including Business Management and Admin., Finance, Education & Training, Health Science, Human Services, Information Technology, A/V Technology & Communications, Arts, Science Tech, Engineering & Mathematics?
- Dual Credit programs for college credits while in high school
- We have become a District of Innovation ? allowing us better control of our calendar and options for innovative curriculum and instruction methods
- The ACE Program ? After School Centers on Education benefitting hundreds of students and families with before and after school programs with many benefits for students, including improved academic performance, attendance, behavior, promotion and graduation rates ? growing into two more campuses next year
- Addition of the Outdoor Education Program and the many benefits it brings
- Competitive teachers? pay scale in one of the highest paying regions in Texas
- Financial stability ? the district was in financial trouble when he began serving
- Purchase of land by Kroger?s to stop 1,000 apartments from being built there
- Discovery of Barnett Shale (we got mineral rights with the land)?
- Development of the KISD Wellsite, pipeline, and royalties for the school district
- Re-construction of KJHS after the fire to a much healthier and happier building
- Additions & improvements to facilities on every campus, including the KHS Performing Arts Center & Band Hall, classroom additions at every campus, science labs, libraries, gyms, and the two-story addition for future growth ? now occupied, the Multi-Purpose Media Center, and many more facilities upgrades
- Technology infrastructure, labs, hardware and software continual improvements, including computers in the hands or available to students at all levels
- Development of Digital Citizenship resources for students and families
- Addition of the soccer program ? supported by us after students? requests?
- KISD Education Foundation ? A non-profit awarding grants to teachers for innovative and creative teaching needs ? grants in the hundreds of thousands
- Other programs and educational opportunities too numerous for this article
Next year KISD will more than double Dual Credit opportunities and add a list of new opportunities in Career and Technology Education. The ACE Program is growing into two more campuses funded with a million-dollar grant. We have developed more programs to engage families and stakeholders at every campus. Our finances continue on an excellent track, even with the challenges that seem to increase annually.
GREAT VISION AND GOALS
KISD has come a long way in recent years, we have developed a culture of excellence and success, but Taylor is not resting on the laurels of these victories, – he has a big vision and goals for the future. Kennedale is great and has the potential to be even greater as our goals for the district come to fruition.
Our district goals developed by the board are for
- the best educators, supported by keeping their pay competitive along with a safe, healthy, and happy environment.
- High learning standards, reaching to engage and meet the needs of all learners and prepare them for college or career readiness through state of the art technology and environments.?
- partnerships with families to strengthen the educational process. We continually strive to communicate better and encourage partnerships with our stakeholders.
- Recognition and appreciation for our stakeholders and partners.?
- Our goals are measurable, and we are making great progress in recent years.?
- Advocacy for lower property taxes through proper state funding of schools
- Increasing learning opportunities and expansion of programs such as CTE?
- More opportunities for adult education and training through ACE
- Greater social supports for students or families in need
- Partnerships with industry and trades for on the job education opportunities
- The big vision which is gaining ground, is for a youth and family activity center for our community. A safe place where students can go and have some fun, get a meal or a sack of food, or some tutoring or mentoring; a place where someone can work out or swim or perhaps practice archery or basketball. A place of help for anyone who needs a hand.?
PERSPECTIVE
Taylor has served on the school board for about 300 meetings and has proven to be a reliable and hard-working team member. He has served and represented us in other boards and capacities for hundreds of other meetings. His school board specific training time is around 250 hours with the Texas Association of School Boards and other training. He is known as the mentor and perspective on the KISD board.
Someone says we could use another teacher on the board. That demonstrates a misunderstanding of what the school board does. A former Associate Superintendent said it well, ?The role of a board member is not to be an educator, but to be a visionary, a representative for the community and a business decision-maker for the district.? The business of the board is about business and regarding educational matters we are listening to the hundreds of paid professional educators who report to us.
She went on to say, ?Joe Taylor stands out as an individual with integrity ? someone who is concerned for doing the right thing – and he is willing to demonstrate good courage in difficult times.?
A former board member recently said, ?I wholeheartedly endorse Joe Taylor for Place #3 for Kennedale ISD School Board because he is the most experienced; he has demonstrated honesty and integrity; and he truly has demonstrated he has right reasons?, the right focus, and the right dedication for solving the issues.?
If you believe a history of service to our community has value,If you believe the great results and successes of our schools should stay the course,
If you believe relationships matter,
If you believe Vision and Goals for our future are important,
then Joe Taylor is clearly the Right Choice, for all the Right Reasons!
Joe Taylor is endorsed by Kennedale Citizens for Good Government, all current board members and many administrators, educators, and community members.?Re-Elect JOE TAYOR KISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES PLACE 3THE RIGHT CHOICE THE RIGHT REASONS
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