Vincent Torres, Austin ISD District 4 trustee and vice president

Vincent Torres, Austin ISD District 4 trustee and vice president

Written by Sarah Mangum Friday, 25 July 2008

Vincent Torres grew up in San Antonio. After high school, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy for two years before transferring to The University of Texas, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering.

414-2550, trustees@austinisd.org

Q. What is your role as a District 4 Representative?

A. My role is to represent the schools and constituents from the seven elementary, two middle and two high schools in District 4 and the constituents in District 4 who send their children to district-wide campuses, like the Kealing and LBJ magnets. Two other schools in District 4 are the Lucy Read Pre-K and Rosedale schools. Although these schools are in District 4, they draw students from other single member districts, so the trustees have agreed representation for these schools will be shared by all trustees.

Q. What are some of the challenges facing AISD in Northwest Austin?

A. There is a misperception that certain school buildings and the number of years of experience of the teachers determine the quality of education. These are certainly important, but not sufficient conditions to obtain a quality education. The flaw in this thinking is it overlooks the significant role parental involvement and support play.

We have very high levels of parental involvement, volunteering and community support at our Northwest Austin schools, so our students consistently perform well. This is not the case for all AISD schools. If more and more AISD schools are rated “Academically Unacceptable,” many schools in Northwest Austin will be the option, a choice under No Child Left Behind sanctions offered to students at schools rated “Academically Unacceptable” until they can attain an “Academically Acceptable” rating. Typically Northwest Austin schools are not Title I schools [economically disadvantaged schools receiving federal funding], so the school does not qualify to receive additional funds for resources and student support services. Some students who transfer into a District 4 school require additional resources and support services. Without sufficient parental involvement and support and the resources and support services they need, more and more students will struggle.

Another challenge for AISD is that it must continue to work to retain students in Northwest Austin in its public schools and not lose them to private schools. To do this, AISD must be able to provide all of its students a high quality, academically challenging and engaging educational experience.

Q. What do you think is going well in the schools in Northwest Austin?

A. I know that we have some of the best principals, assistant principals, counselors and teachers in AISD. However, I believe strong parental involvement, encouragement of good study habits and respect of others as well as supportive role models in the home continue to be the deciding factor[s]. These factors allow teachers to spend time focusing on teaching and learning, knowing that what is taught in the classroom will be reinforced at home. I believe the non-school effect, i.e., home life, educational support systems and people outside of school, stability, etc., significantly influence whether a child will be successful in school.

Q. What are you most proud of during your time as a board member?

A. After two years on the board, I would say three things: first is restoring the 1-1 teacher-class ratio for art, music and P.E. in elementary school; second is launching our middle school improvement initiative; and third is leading the effort to significantly expand our leadership development program.

Q. What has been the most difficult decision to make?

A. The most difficult decision I have had to make was on a student transfer appeal. These have been by far the most difficult decisions to make. Unfortunately, some people have the misunderstanding that the board’s role in appeals or grievances is to grant waivers of a policy. It is not. The role of the board in appeals and grievances is to ensure that policies have been applied correctly and uniformly.

Q. What important decisions will the board face next year?

A. The three most important decisions will be selecting the new superintendent, addressing our budget and funding challenges, and ensuring that we properly address the causes of all our campuses that are rated “Academically Unacceptable.”

Q. How do you keep in touch with District 4 constituents?

A. I attend as many school events as possible to support the work of the District 4 schools and take the opportunity to visit with parents, students, teachers and principals about their school. I also attend vertical team meetings when invited. Many people believe that board members can show up at any time on any campus unannounced. This is not true. So that we do not disrupt activities on campuses, we only attend meetings and visit campuses when invited or by appointment after notifying the principal of our desire to visit the school. I also contact CAC [Campus Advisory Council] co-chairs and PTA presidents when I need input or information on specific issues affecting a campus.

Q. As a parent, how is AISD doing?

A. AISD has a very difficult task in ensuring that every child receives a good education with the diversity in populations AISD serves, i.e., 28 percent of the student enrollment were identified this year as having Limited English Proficiency while one student in the district scored a perfect score on both his SAT and ACT. When you factor in the high mobility rates of some students, the challenge is amplified.

Additionally, the school funding system in Texas does not adequately recognize the challenges facing a district like AISD. Although 62 percent of our students are from economically disadvantaged homes, AISD is considered a “property rich” school district and must pay the state $109,279,634 for the 2007-08 school year, which represents 14.3 percent of its budget.

It is estimated that this will increase to more than $163 million next year. Finally, when you also consider the current accountability system, which is unfair to urban districts with the diversity AISD has and tends to be punitive rather than constructive in its sanctions, the financial challenges become almost impossible. Given all of the challenges facing the district, for the district to provide a good education to all children, the district must function at a perfect level academically, financially and operationally. For many in the district, it provides an outstanding education. For others, the district is working hard to achieve this goal and recognizes it has room for improvement.

• High schools:
  • Anderson
  • McCallum
• Middle schools:
  • Lamar
  • Murchison
• Elementary schools:
  • Brentwood
  • Davis
  • Doss
  • Gullett
  • Hill
  • Highland Park
  • Pillow
• Pre-K :
  • Read
• Other facilities:
  • Rosedale School

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