Why Engage Mansfield ISD Exists
We serve on the Mansfield ISD School Board because we care deeply about our students, our educators, and the future of this district. Like many parents and community members, we want to make sure our schools remain safe, well-funded, and focused on what matters most — helping every child succeed.
Engage Mansfield exists because we saw a growing problem: decisions that directly affect our classrooms are often made far from Mansfield, using language that is difficult to understand, with little explanation of how those decisions impact our students and teachers.
Engage Mansfield is not a political campaign, and it is not a replacement for official district communications. It does not promote a single viewpoint or agenda.
It is a transparency and education effort.
It is a bridge between policy decisions and local classrooms.
It is a commitment to listening, learning, and advocating responsibly.
The Challenge We Are Facing when it comes to public education & our kids
Many of the most important decisions about public education are made at the state level. Funding formulas, safety requirements, testing systems, and accountability rules are shaped by legislation passed in Austin. While these policies are well-intended, their real-world impact is felt in our schools, classrooms, and homes.
For families and educators, it can be hard to keep up with what these laws mean, when they take effect, and how they change the day-to-day experience for students and teachers. Too often, communities are left reacting after the fact rather than understanding changes as they happen.
The Information Gap
Public education legislation is complex. Bills are written using legal and technical language that can be difficult to understand without context. As a result, families and educators are often left trying to make sense of changes after they have already reached classrooms.
Teachers frequently feel the impact first — through new requirements, added reporting, or shifts in instruction — while parents may not understand where those changes came from or why they were necessary. Without clear, accessible explanations, frustration grows and meaningful conversations become harder.
When communities lack understanding, their voices are less likely to be heard in the right places. Advocacy without clarity can miss the real issue, and silence is often mistaken for agreement. We believe families deserve straightforward information that helps them ask informed questions, share perspectives, and engage productively.
Why the School Board Stepped In
As your elected School Board, we realized that traditional district communication channels were not designed to explain legislative issues in depth. While MISD regularly shares important updates about operations and programs, there was no dedicated space to help families understand why certain changes were happening and where they were coming from.
We also heard a consistent message from parents, staff, and residents: they wanted more access, more transparency, and more opportunity to ask questions directly.
Engage Mansfield is our response to that need.
What Engage Mansfield Does
Engage Mansfield exists to create clarity and connection.
Through this initiative, we work to:
Explain public education legislation in plain language
Share how state-level decisions affect MISD students and educators
Provide direct access to School Board members
Create opportunities for two-way conversation with our community
This work allows us to listen more closely and advocate more effectively.
Why It’s Important to your school board
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Dr. Benita Reed
“When our community understands how decisions made at the state level affect our classrooms, they can truly advocate for our students. Engage Mansfield is about bringing that connection home, because when we work together, our kids win.”
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Michelle Newsom
“Our students are more than a test score. When we invest in the whole child and support the people who serve them every day, we prepare our kids to face real-world challenges with confidence.”
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Dr. Jandel Crutchfield
“Public schools serve everyone who shows up, and that’s why advocacy matters. When our community stays engaged and informed, we can ensure our students have the safety, support, and opportunities they need to truly thrive.”
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Jesse Cannon II
“Public education changes lives, but it has to be properly supported. When we invest in our schools, we’re investing in generations of students who will carry this community forward long after us.”
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Ana-Alicia Horn
“When parents and schools work together, students win. Engage Mansfield helps families understand what’s happening in our district so they can confidently advocate for their children and our community.”
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Jason Thomas
“Board decisions directly impact the performance of the district and the future of all district stakeholders. I chose to serve on the Mansfield ISD School Board to help ensure that our district remains a choice district and that MISD stakeholders remain the focus and not the will of outside parties.”
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Courtney Lackey Wilson
“Mansfield ISD is more than a school district, it’s a family. And when you invest in our kids and the people who serve them, you’re investing in the future of this entire community.”
Without Community Involvement, the Cost Falls on Our Schools and Students
When families and residents are disconnected from how education policy is shaped, Over time, schools face reduced funding, educators carry increased strain, and students lose access to opportunities they deserve.
Continue the Conversation
Understanding education policy is the first step. Staying engaged helps ensure that decisions affecting Mansfield ISD reflect the needs of our students, educators, and community.
Engage Mansfield provides simple ways to stay informed, ask questions, and share perspective — when and how it makes sense for you.
Ways to participate:
Teachers & Staff: Share how state requirements and unfunded mandates affect your time and classrooms.
Students: Learn about opportunities to participate in leadership and advisory groups.
Residents: Access clear information and tools to communicate with state and local representatives.