District l eaders meet with state lawmakers

District leaders discussed where they want state lawmakers to focus their efforts. State lawmakers will reconvene in Jan. 2015 for the 84th legislative session. Public education is expected be a big part of the discussion among state leaders.

Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg addressed state lawmakers at the legislative agenda meeting. The district held the event November 18 at Vines Early Childhood/Prekindergarten Center. School board members and the district’s cabinet members were also on hand to answer any questions.

Senator Sylvia García, Representative Senfronia Thompson and Representative Sylvester Turner attended the meeting. Wendi Lojo from Senator Elect Paul Bettencourt’s office also attended.

Bamberg discussed several priorities including:

Ensuring a sufficient funding system to provide resources for legislative mandates

Securing funding for full-day prekindergarten programs

Securing a funding system that provides resources to ensure students graduate; this will also ensure students are college and career ready as defined by the state.

“Aldine ISD and other districts in Region 4 are also facing the same issues and challenges,” said Bamberg. “I and other public education leaders are asking you to consider data. Please consider the issues and challenges we are facing as you get ready for the 84th legislative session. We hope that any changes to existing state laws target improving public education for all the children we serve.”

After the presentation, Linda Reed invited the lawmakers to visit a few classrooms. Reed serves as the principal at Vines EC/PK Center. Many did visit classrooms. But some lawmakers stayed behind to have in-depth conversations with Dr. Bamberg.