Susie Byrd, El Paso ISD board district 3 candidate

NAME: Susie Byrd
OFFICE YOU SEEK: EPISD Board of Trustees, District 3
AGE: 42
OCCUPATION: City Council Representative, Research Analyst for appraisal company
EDUCATION: BA in Psychology with a minor in English from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, Graduated from Austin High School
FAMILY: Married to Edward Holland. Have three kids in EPISD schools, Hannah, John and Eddie

NUMBER-ONE CAMPAIGN FOCUS: Reforming EPISD to ensure that EVERY child has access to a quality education and reforming EPISD to strengthen it against corruption.

WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM YOUR OPPONENTS? Leadership is not reacting to what’s on an agenda but helping to shape a public agenda and putting it into action with the help and collaboration of your constituents. I have a record of proactive leadership shaped by public goals and aspirations.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFIES YOU FOR THE POSITION YOU SEEK: I am a parent with three kids in EPISD schools. I am a graduate of EPISD schools and know how a high quality public education can help you succeed. I have spent eight years as a city council representative working towards strategic goals, building budgets based on strategic community interests, managing spending and procurement to ensure every dollar has a public value and to ensure fair competition, and helping constituents solve problems.

IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO REVOKE ONE ORDINANCE IN EL PASO IMMEDIATELY UPON TAKING OFFICE, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE? I’m running for school board, not city council. First order of business at EPISD would be to make sure internal auditor reports directly to the board.

DESCRIBE A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE: In college, I met a kid who was about to join the KKK but was knocked clear of the idea by sitting on the bus next to a black kid. It taught me that hate isn’t some fixed thing. You can be cured of it by a simple exchange.

IN WHAT WAYS IS EL PASO ON THE RIGHT TRACK, AND IN WHAT WAYS DOES IT NEED TO CHANGE COURSE? Over the last decade, we finally have public, civic and business interests aligned around community changing goals. This has allowed our community to build in significant ways to include the new medical school, the new children’s hospital, the quality of life bond initiatives and significant public and private investment in Downtown. We need to keep up the momentum. The school districts have been the missing component. We need the schools focused on providing high quality education to every single child that enters their classrooms. We need the school districts to work towards educating every child so they are proficient in English and Spanish, so that they are prepared for college and they are prepared to become active citizens in their community.

IF ELECTED, HOW WILL YOU BALANCE THE NEEDS OF FAMILY, YOUR CAREER AND YOUR OFFICE? With grace, a lot of laughter and an occasional “time out.”

WHEN AND WHY DID YOU COME TO EL PASO (IF APPLICABLE)? I’ve been here since second grade. Went away to college in Atlanta. But couldn’t stay away too long.

PLEASE INDICATE WHETHER YOU HAVE A WEBSITE, TWITTER OR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT: https://www.facebook.com/susie.byrd

OTHER CONTACT INFORMATION FOR VOTERS: susiebyrd2009@gmail.com, 204-9813