Missy Bender

News and Events


	August 21, 2011 Another District Realignment? Missy Bender To watch the video of the August 2, 2911 Plano ISD regular school board meeting, click here. I made the following comments concerning the interest of 2 board members to revisit the issue of changing feeder patterns and boundaries for the 2nd time in 2 years. Missy's comments at the August 2, 2011 Plano ISD Regular Board Meeting Agenda item: Senior High Enrollment Priorities Plano ISD has just lost $59 million in funding over the next 2 years. We eliminated about 408 positions, and 253 of those were teachers. In the midst of the largest cut to public education funding ever, we are, in a few weeks, opening a new high school in Murphy to serve 1200 students, preparing for the implementation of the state’s new STAAR and end of course exams with higher standards, and dealing with the increasing consequences from the federal No Child Left Behind Act, and the federal cuts that will result from the recent debt ceiling deal. In spite of any challenge thrown at us, we have always continued to remain focused on improving student learning for 55,000 students where 1 in every 4 students lives in poverty, and there are more than 80 different languages spoken by our students. In spite of all of these realities, we’ve never chosen to just survive in Plano ISD. We have always chosen to thrive, set high expectations for all students, and stand on the cutting edge of pioneering education. Our current financial challenges along with our own quest for excellence present an opportunity for us to continue to rethink and restructure the learning environment for our students to bring all of our teaching and learning up to the 21^st century standards. Two years ago, we addressed the issue of where students would go to school because 2 new schools were being built. As a result of that decision, the administration created a transition plan that is now a year and half into its implementation. Is repeating the realignment process and potentially un-doing that transition plan really this new board’s #1 priority in our current reality? Does repeating the realignment fulfill the district’s goal of continuously improving student learning for all students? If I felt that repeating the experience would improve student learning district-wide, then I would be the first person to advocate for a repeat performance. However, I do not believe that repeating the realignment should be our #1 priority. Doing so is a distraction from what is really important which is transforming education while tackling our financial challenges. What happens in a boundary or feeder pattern change process? I’ve experienced more than 1 feeder pattern or boundary change during my 5 years on this Board. And, I am 1 of the 2 trustees here who were on the Board at the time of the realignment process I will share some of my reflections of that experience. Families rode an emotional roller coaster. Neighbors were pitted against one another and one school community was willing to throw another school community under the bus for its own benefit. Personal friendships were damaged, and reputations were stained. The very public, emotional, and painful process consumed all of the Board’s, community’s, and Staff’s time and energy for the Fall of 2009. Many parts of the community were engaged in the process, and they literally have the t-shirts to show it. Unfortunately, some parts of the community whose direct feeder pattern was not changed did not get involved. Generally, people were okay with change as long as it happened to someone else. Every change that may have positively impacted one party resulted in a negative consequence to another party. Some people felt like they were “winners” because they got what they wanted while others felt like “losers” because they didn’t. The outcome of repeating the realignment process and changing the solution would only create a different group of unhappy constituents who will work to change the board membership to promote their agenda and bring up this topic yet again. When does it stop? When does the healing ever begin? When can this Board return its focus to transforming education with less funding? Just look north to Frisco to see how divisive revisiting an issue is. It sets a cycle in motion that just doesn’t end. Support I have serious concerns about taking a path that realigns or redefines the district. I’m not convinced that this will improve education in Plano ISD. I trust that the Administration will increase the facilities, where needed, on time without overbuilding by August 2013, and I trust that the campus leadership will make every effort to address parent concerns about opportunity at the campus level. Once this occurs, community anxiety about the unknown will subside. Before every vote, I ask myself whether it will contribute to fulfilling the vision, mission, and goals of this district. I will not compromise on the quality of education. I would urge my fellow Trustees to focus on the efforts that improve education and not the number of kids in a school. I'm prepared to roll up my sleeves to improve the quality of education for our children, but this effort does not do that. I will cast my vote to stay focused on the issues that positive impact student learning. Posted August 21, 2011 \| View (313 Views)

	May 11, 2009 Missy Wins 72 Percent of the Vote Missy Bender The results are in. I won a second term on the Plano ISD Board of Trustees with 72% of the vote ... a landslide win. A total of 9,711 votes were cast in this race, and I won with 7,002 votes. I want to thank each of you that have supported me during my first term of service and during my re-election campaign. I look forward to continuing our collaboration. Posted May 11, 2009 \| View (3331 Views)

	April 13, 2009 What’s all This Talk about Homework and Grading? Missy Bender I have received more than a few emails from folks who have read or heard media stories about a review of homework strategies for Plano ISD middle school students. Each of them is asking what I think about separating student behavioral choices from academic grading. What do I think? The bottom line is very simple. I believe in an educational system that holds students to the highest standards of integrity. I do not support cheating or the absence of accountability nor do I believe that the grading committee would have made a recommendation that compromised accountability or integrity if the proper vetting process had occurred. I steadfastly agree that every student should be prepared for a successful life in our democratic society. One of the key statements in the school district's belief statements regards excellence in education and states: "Responsible citizenship and character traits of integrity and ethics.” This is unwavering. Please don't be misled into thinking otherwise. The Board of Trustees has had no discourse on this issue because it has received no recommendation. Make no mistake about it; I expect the highest level of integrity from Plano ISD staff and students. At all times. Period. There will never be compromise on that. What happens now? While there may be continuing study about middle school grading issues in the future, the current study will not progress further. In my mind, the committee process was flawed from the start because it did not have the participation of parents and community members. Though the work of the committee is appreciated, and has opened up interesting dialogue, this process is completed. It is, however, a good reminder that the district must use a model of community engagement when studying issues like this so that any outcome is reflective of community values and good educational pedagogy. I take my role on this board and my reputation within my community very seriously. I stand for the highest ethical standards of accountability and integrity, and that is non-negotiable. Read the statement on the Plano ISD web site on this this topic. Posted April 13, 2009 \| View (3580 Views)

	March 25, 2009 Voice of Asian American Association Endorses Missy Bender Missy Bender The influential Voice of Asian American Association (VOAAA) endorses Missy Bender for Plano ISD Trustee, Place 7. “I am very honored to receive the endorsement of the Voice of Asian American Association. VOAAA highly values the education of children, so I am delighted that they have chosen to place their confidence in me. I look forward to continuing the valuable partnership between Plano ISD and Voice of Asian American Association.” Posted March 25, 2009 \| View (3638 Views)

	March 13, 2009 Candidate Forums Missy Bender Various organizations conduct candidate forums. The following list summarizes the forums that have been scheduled to date. March 17 11:30am Plano Republican Women www.PlanoRepublicanWomen.com Tino’s Restaurant at Collin Creek Mall March 17 7:00pm African American Republican Club of Collin County Collin County Republican Headquarters 8416 Stacy Road McKinney, TX 75070 March 23 7:00pm Texas Democratic Women of Collin County www.tdwcc.org Collin County Community College-Preston Ridge Campus, Frisco 9700 Wade Blvd., Founders Hall Room F148 March 28 2:30pm-4:30pm Islamic Association of Collin County (IACC) www.planomasjid.org Plano Mosque 6401 Independence Pkwy. Plano, TX 75023 April 9 12:00pm Plano Rotary Club www.planorotary.com Southfork Hotel 1600 N. Central Expressway Plano, TX 75074 April 9 6:00pm Plano Homeowner's Council www.phcplanotx.com Reflections on Spring Creek 1901 E. Spring Creek Parkway Plano, TX 75074 April 15 12:00pm Plano Metro Rotary Club www.planometrorotary.com Gleneagles Country Club 5401 W. Park Blvd. Plano, TX 75093 April 18 4:30pm-5:30pm League of Women Voters www.lwvcollin.org Schimelpfenig Library 5024 Custer Road Plano, TX 75023 April 23 7:00pm Plano ISD Key Communicators and Plano ISD Council of PTAs www.pisd.edu/about.us/key.communicators/index.shtml www.planopta.org PISD Administration Bldg. Board Room 2700 W. 15th Street Plano, TX 75075 Posted March 13, 2009 \| View (3736 Views)

	March 06, 2009 A New Vision for Accountability Emerges Missy Bender BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images. After spending a year listening to testimony from Superintendents, School Board Trustees, Business Leaders, Educators, and Parents from around the state, Senator Florence Shapiro and Representative Rob Eissler (Co-Chairs of the Select Committee on Public School Accountability) filed SB3 and HB3 to usher in a new vision for Texas public school accountability. The bill responds to common messages that they heard across the state: One size does not fit all campuses or school districts. Provide flexibility in Math and Science course selection. Reduce the high stakes nature of TAKS testing. Provide students with a broader base of education. Measure student growth rather than performance on a single test. I traveled to Austin with Plano ISD Board President Skip Jenkins to review the bill with Senator Shapiro and support her during a press conference announcing the filing of the bill. Key features of the identical bills include: Post Secondary Readiness Setting a goal of Post Secondary Readiness for college or the skilled workforce rather than performance on a TAKS test. College readiness is defined as performance on English III and Algebra II end of course exams Skilled Workforce readiness is defined as performance on English III and Algebra I end of course exams 2 Performance Tiers Creating 2 tiers of performance and measuring performance with a 3 year rolling average. Accreditation Tier - Performance measurement is based upon Student Achievement or Growth toward Post Secondary Readiness, Completion Rates, and Financial Integrity. Distinction Tier - Campuses can earn distinctions for excellence in a variety of areas (growth in student achievement, closing the gaps, academic excellence, workforce readiness, second language learning, fine arts, and physical fitness) Student Relevance Middle school students may earn credits toward high school graduation. Exit standards are aligned with skilled workforce and college readiness standards. Students wishing to earn a "Texas Diploma" that is focused on college readiness will complete 4 years of English, Social Studies, Math, and Science. Students have a variety of options to satisfy the 4th year Math and Science course. 2 years of a language other than English 8 elective courses Students wishing to earn a "Standard Diploma" that is focused on skilled workforce readiness will complete 4 years of English, 3 years of Math and Social Studies, 2 years of Science, and 1 additional year of either Science or Social Studies 9 elective courses HB3 and SB3 are identical. To view the actual text of each 119-page bill, see one of the following documents: HB3 [pdf file] SB3 [pdf file] Ultimately, both the House and the Senate must approve the same bill. If passed, implementation would occur in August 2011. Posted March 06, 2009 \| View (3575 Views)

	February 27, 2009 Campaign Kick-off Event Post Report Missy Bender Supporters, family, and friends joined me as we kicked off my campaign at the Art Centre of Plano. I am very grateful for the warm support, and I thank Carole Greisdorf, Sue Meyne, Louise Davis, and May Li for their help in planning the event. In addition, I thank Amar and Michele Carey-Dave' for their generous donation of wine for use during the event. BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images. Posted February 27, 2009 \| View \| View Comments (1) (3694 Views)

	February 10, 2009 Influencing Legislation Missy Bender Trustee Missy Bender, with fellow Trustees Mary Beth King and Melody Timinsky and Superintendent Dr. Doug Otto, met with legislators and education staff members to discuss Plano ISD's 2009 Legislative Agenda. Bender and her colleagues met with: Senator Florence Shapiro (Chairman of the Senate Education Committee) Representative Rob Eissler (Chairman of the House Education Committee) Representative Brian McCall Representative Jerry Madden Representative Jodie Laubenberg Representative Ken Paxton Education staff of the Speaker of the House Joe Strauss Plano ISD administrative leadership and the Board of Trustees actively follow education-related legislative discussions. We offer legislative recommendations during the bill development process and provide impact analysis of proposed legislation through testimony to the House and Senate education committees in an effort to influence outcomes in a manner that is favorable to the students and taxpayers of Plano ISD. BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images. View the district's advocacy agenda. Posted February 10, 2009 \| View (3693 Views)

	February 05, 2009 Did You Know? Missy Bender The skills that our children need to be successful in life within the 21st century and in a global economy have changed. We must prepare our children for their future rather than our past. The following video titled "Did You Know?" provides a provocative look at how we have to prepare our children for a future that we have not yet even imagined. Posted February 05, 2009 \| View (3667 Views)

	February 05, 2009 Campaign Kick-Off Event Missy Bender Please join me at the Art Centre of Plano on Wednesday, February 25th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm to kick-off my re-election campaign. All are welcome. Read more information about the Art Centre. The Art Centre of Plano is located at 1039 E. 15th Street, Plano, TX 75074. Posted February 05, 2009 \| View (3667 Views)

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