Wylie Today

Voters residing within the Wylie ISD opted not to change too much at once in the 2008 elections. Two incumbents, Ralph James and Ronni Fetzer, will remain as Trustees for another three years, pending official results. Mr. James will be serving his fourth term and Mrs. Fetzer will be serving her third.

Lance Goff was elected to unseat incumbent D. Baron Cook, who was appointed to the seat last year to replace the departed Eric Lindsey. This particular seat is a one year term, so Mr. Goff will have to run for election again next year.

I don’t know that I have seen a race as close as the Fetzer/Goss race since I have been here (or ever). Ronni Fetzer gained 701 votes while challenger Barbara Goss received 695. Also voting for ‘blank’ were 105 people. Goss was ahead by a handful of votes after early voting results were released.

Mr. James and his family moved to Wylie from Irving, TX in 1978. He began his career flying fighter planes from aircraft carriers in Vietnam while serving for the United States Navy. During the next 32 years after that, he flew commercial airliners for American Airlines. He retired in 1998.

In 1999, Mr. James was elected to his first term as WISD Trustee and has been a member ever since. As he prepares his re-election campaign, Mr. James managed to fit some time in between researching items for the school system and restoring early 1900 oscillating fans to answer a few questions for the people of Wylie.

What qualities make you a valuable asset to the Board of Trustees?
Nine years of experience.

How many hours of training do you have as it pertains to your Trustee position?
At last count it was 274 hours of Trustee training.

How do you feel the Board of Trustees has handled and responded to the explosive district growth over the last 8 years?
I think the Board in conjunction with the Superintendent has done a great job.  We have kept up with the growth in a timely manner and built new schools accordingly.

What challenges will the WISD face over the next 3 years?
The current challenge and the challenge over the next few years will be multiple high schools.  Also, with the downturn in the economy and the slowing of growth we will have to make sure that we stay on the growth plan but not over build.

Why are you the right guy to lead the district through these challenges? 
I will not lead the district through the next few years but rather I will be one part of a “Team of Eight.”  I still believe that my experience will be very valuable as we go forward.

What accomplishments would you like to see and deliver for the district over the next 3 years?
Major pay increases for teachers and employees and see the district reach exemplary status.

In what ways can the teachers and employees of the district realize increased pay without tax increases or program cuts?
We are still looking to the state for new legislation that will increase the district income.  We hope to receive more help from them as we have in the past with pay increases.  All employees are deserving of a fair and equitable income.

How can we continue to attract and keep high quality educators to help our schools regain exemplary status?
One is the teaching environment in Wylie and the other is pay and benefits.  Each year the district holds a Job Fair in the spring.  All Trustees participate by greeting and visiting with the prospective employees.  We pass out water and snacks and help with questions.

You voted for the multiple high school system and you voted to start the transition this upcoming school year. How does your experience help during the quick transition?
By understanding how things work.  The learning curve is shallow where as for a new Trustee the curve would be very steep.

What type of career programs would you like to see at Wylie East?
Mostly to mirror WHS.  As we continue to grow in 5A we will probably add some new programs in the future.

Mr. James has stated that he is readily available to talk to anyone personally about their questions or concerns. His email and phone number are listed on the WISD website. If you would like to donate to his re-election campaign, please contact him to make arrangements.

James R. Griffin has filed as a candidate for WISD Trustee Place 2 in the May 2008 election. He will run his campaign against incumbent Ralph E. James. Mr. Griffin, who filed his paperwork yesterday, currently serves on the Library Board. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to speak with him last night about his vision or plan. I’m sure I’ll get that information emailed to me soon, though.

The deadline to file was yesterday, March 10th. There will be no uncontested races in the WISD election this year. Place 1 features Barbara Goss and incumbent Ronni Fetzer to round out the General Election. Candidate Lance Goff will run against Baron Cook in the Special Election for Place 4.

This has been the week to declare candidacy, it seems. Let’s take a look at the players so far in the City of Wylie May elections.

Bennie Jones filed this morning as a City Council Place 6 candidate. Incumbent Carter Porter filed for his re-election bid to Place 6 yesterday.

Incumbent Rick White has filed for City Council Place 5.

There will be a Mayoral race this year as former Councilman Eric Hogue has filed to run against Mayor John Mondy.

Barbara Goss has filed as a candidate for WISD Trustee Place 1. Incumbent Ronnie Fetzer has stated her intentions for re-election.

Incumbent Ralph James has filed for re-election.

Lance Goff has filed as a candidate in the WISD Trustee Special Election against appointed incumbent and former Trustee Baron Cook.

That’s all I have right now. I’ll pass on more information as it comes.

The WISD School Board of Trustees voted 3-2 on Tuesday in favor of planning for the current 2007-2008 8th grade class to be the first graduating class of Wylie East High School. Ralph James made the motion and Baron Cook seconded. Sam Satterwhite voted for the motion while Susan Shuler and Stacie Gooch voted against. Trustees Sue Nicklas and Ronni Fetzer were not present.

Before voting occurred, Mr. James questioned if more information has become available since the workshop meeting about the financial impact of making the switch for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Dr. John Fuller replied that outside of building and furniture expenses, the costs would be incremental. Mr. James then asked about the impact of a proposed bond failing to pass. Dr. Fuller answered that there would be a difference in campuses. After joining in on the cost discussion, Mr. Cook stated, “I believe the public is looking for us to take the lead on this. They are ready to get going.”

All current 800-plus Freshman class will attend Wylie High School in the 2008-2009 school year. Dr. Fuller said there was not enough time to plan for the current freshman class. After applying for an ROTC unit, it could take 1 to 3 years to get approval and get the program implemented at WEHS.

As Wylie Today reported here on February 6th, Ralph James did indeed file for re-election for WISD School Board Trustee as of February 13th.

Mr. James has been a Trustee since 1999 and states his major focus as “Working toward all schools being exemplary, improving salaries for all employees and continuing to improve communications throughout the district.”

In the most recent hot issue vote, Mr. James, along with 4 other Trustees, voted for multiple high schools in the WISD.

Mr. James is a retired airline pilot.

Ralph E. James stated today that he definitely plans to run for re-election as WISD School Board Trustee in 2008. Mr. James has been a Trustee since 1999 and states his major focus as “Working toward all schools being exemplary, improving salaries for all employees and continuing to improve communications throughout the district.”

In the most recent hot issue vote, Mr. James, along with 4 other Trustees, voted for multiple high schools in the WISD.

Mr. James is a retired airline pilot.

After at least a year of discussion, special meetings and public forums, the Wylie ISD Board of Trustees on Monday voted 5-2 in favor of a multiple 9th-12th grade high school configuration. 91% of the public that contributed input during the public forums desired this configuration.

Stacie Gooch, Susan Shuler, Ronni Fetzer, Baron Cook and Ralph James voted for the multiple 9-12 high school configuration while Sam Satterwhite and Sue Nicklas dissented.

Now that the decision has been made in regards to the configuration, Trustees must quickly decide the best way to implement the transition. WISD Superintendent Dr. John Fuller stated that he will provide suggestions and more information regarding boundary lines and transition times once he has had time to discuss these issues with key personnel.

The next scheduled WISD Board Meeting is January 21, 2008.