“My number one goal is to seek forward positive progress in all decision making,” said Tara Caldera, who is running as write-in candidate for Dublin ISD School Board in the May 7 election.
Caldera, who is the general manager for both The Purple Goat and the 1907 Grill in Stephenville, said running for the board wasn’t something she ventured into lightly since she has five kids, four of which are old enough to attend school in DISD. However, having the opportunity to bring a fresh approach and a new forward thinking outlook made Caldera sign up for the election.
“I personally feel that being in management in the restaurant industry for as many years as I have really gives me the upper hand in dealing with complaints effectively and working toward solving problems in a strategic and timely manner,” she said.
Caldera is a Valley Mills native and moved to Stephenville in 2008 to attend Tarleton State University and has called the area home ever since. She relocated to Dublin about five years ago and said she has found her “forever home” in the community. (She, and her husband Eric, have five children, Nate, Julian, Abigail, Hannah and Quinten).
Praising the teachers and staff at DISD as the best she has ever met, she would like to see the board become more actively involved with each campus and the ongoing activities, events and community involvement DISD has.
“I feel that there is exponential room for growth in making board meetings a warm and welcoming place for community members to attend as well as share thoughts and concerns related to DISD,” Caldera said.
If elected, she wants to make sure each and every staff member at DISD is able to have their voice heard and she feels it’s imperative for any educator whether in Dublin or any other district be listened to.
“The teachers and staff are the bread and butter of DISD and they each and everyone deserve to have their voice and opinions heard in a safe, understanding and welcoming environment,” she said.
Another goal that Caldera is holding as a high standard is transparency.
“I feel that the school board, regarding decisions that are allowed to be public knowledge, should strive at the highest level to be transparent with staff, teachers, parents, students and the community alike,” the candidate said.
Caldera also said she would strive to research and implement methods and practices that make all parents and students feel like their voice matters and to be heard and acknowledged by the school board in a timely manner.