Calvin Holland III hopes to put his experience with social services and Sherman Independent School District to good use if he is elected this spring to the school board this spring. Holland is among three candidates who will vie for the Place 1 seat in the May 4 elections.
The seat is currently held by Adam Cernero, who is not seeking reelection. Holland, Nathan Cain and Evan Martin are also running to fill that vacant seat.
The Herald Democrat recently reached out to the candidates in this and other school board races for a series of question-and-answer interviews with the intent of informing voters on who is running for these elected positions.
The candidates were all asked the same series of questions and given 150 words to answer each. The responses are printed verbatim with edits only for formatting and if a candidates went significantly over the word limit.
Here are the questions and Holland’s answers.
Q: For voters who may not be familiar, who are you and where may they know you from?
For those who aren’t familiar with me my name is Calvin Holland a lifelong resident of Sherman and proud Bearcat alum class of 1993.
I am married to my beautiful wife Jennifer of 24 years and have 3 very handsome sons Calvin IV,Je’Daron,and Ezra. I am a lifelong member of Grand Ave. Church of Christ that was founded by my Grandfather O.R. (Preacher) Pleasant. At 18 I started coaching Little football and continued until 2016 while serving the community in various ways such as working with Persons with developmental disabilities and assisting our SPED program with a school to work transition, and later working with children with mental illness while working with HHSC. I have continued my dedication to service by being a former CASA Advocate Volunteer and being a member of districts Legacy Leaders Mentoring Program. I also have a volunteer group called the Papa Bears which gives the opportunity to assist our football program with blowing up the Mighty Bearcat Tunnel.
Q: What led you to seek election (or reelection) on the school board?
Holland: Being a lifelong Bearcat I can see the great opportunities that this district can provide our children to become productive and valuable assets to society. I know with the right leadership our district can provide a more innovative and inclusive educational experience that will put our district on the road to success while utilizing our mistakes as experiences to grow and succeed from. The very success depends on ability to keep teachers and staff by opening up better communication to tackle the very things that will hinder the success of our students. Understanding and getting more parents involved by having a face and name the community knows and trust will help with a line of communication that can assist with solving real life problems that can affect the progress of a child’s relationships with teachers and peers.
Q: What unique skill sets, traits or backgrounds do you feel you would bring to the table if elected to the school board?
Holland: Having a strong background of social services, I will bring a unique skill set of understanding the problems of social and economic issues that can hinder the success of our students and teachers. We all know that mental illness is a major concern with parents and having a background with working with children and adults with mental illness puts our district in a better position to tackle this issue, I can bring a unique skill set to help put in place best practices to help an aiding in the battle this unfortunate problem. Having a strong vocational program is a must in today’s fast paced growing workforce. Having a background with school to work transitions programs and placing children to work to be competitively employed is an area that brings up the hopes of those students that may not be in the position to pursue college.
(This response was cut short as the candidate exceeded the word limit.)
Q: If elected, what areas would you like to focus on in your role as a school board member? What are your priorities?
Holland: I feel as a newly elected school board member it is vital to help bring the community together and try to put those things that has hindered our district behind us. One of the first priorities is to get a better understanding on what we can do to better retain current teachers and bring in and retaining the best possible educators and staff that money can by. While making it comfortable for the staff,parents and community to express concerns with no backlash.
Q: What role do you feel a school board member should fill in helping lead the school district?
Holland: I think a school board member should at some point be directly involved in the classroom and understanding the dynamic that every teacher and student faces. Also being knowledgeable of how the curriculum is being taught and how the children are receiving it from the teacher and listening to any concerns that the teachers have with the way the district recommends how the teacher must approach the delivery of the subject.
Q: What challenges do you see facing Sherman ISD in 2024, and how do you plan to address them if elected?
Holland: Having children in the district brings to mind many challenges that I hope we will be prepared for. Having adequate classroom size and retaining and recruiting the absolute best educators, and making sure that every decision made by the board is based on fairness and not personal beliefs. School Board Members have to remember that rules are made to be followed and you can’t make decisions based on personal beliefs that can lead to unnecessary and uncomfortable circumstances that can set our district back instead moving forward and being great. Instead the board should base the decisions to insure the best experience for as many students as possible and trust that the educators and administration keep paving the way to expand the mind of our children and help in training those great minds to be valuable thinkers and problem solvers as they mature to adulthood.
(This response was cut short as the candidate exceeded the word limit.)
