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Candidate Name: Andrew Yeager
Occupation: Regional director of sales and adjunct college professor
What can you tell us about yourself?
I've been married for nearly 25 years and am the father of three Dragons (two grads and one senior). My full-time job is that of a regional sales director and as an adjunct professor at a local university. I have a long history of volunteer leadership in community, recreational and faith-based organizations.
Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, I was raised by a community college professor who instilled in me the value of hard work and education at a very young age. That early emphasis on education and growth would ultimately go on to drive my dedication and passion for pursuing knowledge, growth and excellence in every endeavor I’ve undertaken. I earned a bachelor's in communications from the University of Michigan and a master's in integrated marketing communications with honors from Marist College in New York.
After earning my undergraduate degree, I forged a successful business career starting in New York City, followed by 16 years in Chicago and then North Texas. With 30 years of experience in management and team leadership working for some of the world’s largest media companies, I have proven myself as a consistent and proven leader in both the office and the community.
My family and I have resided in Southlake for eight and a half years, during which time I have shown myself to be a respected leader and community volunteer. I currently serve as a mentor to my former college students and an active parishioner and volunteer at Good Shepherd Catholic Community, working on its annual Casino Night Fundraiser. I have also served as a member of the Grapevine Sailing Club, helping with fundraisers and as a fleet secretary. Other volunteer programs I’ve been involved with include the DFW Junior Achievement program, the NBC Universal Mentor Program, the Ad Industry Dream Fund and the National Clear The Shelters Pet Adoption Day.
In Illinois, I coached my daughters' soccer teams, co-led the YMCA's Adventure Guides and Indian Princess program and served on my parish council. I also built a Vanguard 15 Fleet at the Winnetka Yacht Club and served as Commodore. While I lived in New York City, I was the vice president of the Alumni Club for the University of Michigan, blood drive captain at my company and was a chaperone for New York City high school students through an outdoor adventure program.
What is your experience with Carroll ISD?
For over eight years, I played an active role in the school lives of our two Dragon alumni and one current student. For the past four years, I have been an active volunteer with the Carroll High School Marching Band Boosters from parking lot duty, chaperone, props team to nomination committee. I’m also a member of Southlake Sister Cities, which has sponsored one daughter on her trip to Japan and another daughter’s planned trip in 2022. I’ve also enjoyed being a member of the Carroll Dad’s choir and proud Carroll rockets’ class parent cheering our Dragons at the competition in the Texas Hill Country.
What inspired you to run for school board?
Serving as a CISD school board trustee is an opportunity to give back to my community, as CISD has blessed my family in many ways, including preparing our children so well for their next chapter in life.
It was also a call to action — a trustee’s duty includes oversight of the administration. For the last two years, CISD was not ready for the start of school. First, it was not well prepared for virtual learning and this year, it started with dozens of positions unfilled, from bus drivers to the special education department. I want to use my business management experience to make sure the school is properly staffed.
What in your background do you believe has prepared you for this position?
As the only current teacher in this race, I have the real-life experience of teaching during the pandemic. Adjusting a class syllabus from in-person to virtual learning, teaching virtually-only and now back to in-person teaching has given me an understanding of what today’s teaching environment is like, not to mention learning COVID-19 protocols in the classroom. Combine this with a 31-year business career, I will use my experiences and communication skills to help promote a culture of respect, integrity, transparency and academic excellence.
What are your top priorities if elected as a board trustee?
I will focus on the following three priorities:
1) Students: I will return CISD’s focus to academic core competencies for all students, and to eradicate last year’s “learning loss.”
2) Sound Fiscal Policies: I will work for sustained balanced budgets, fiscal discipline and look for new revenue sources for CISD.
3) Support Teachers: I will work tirelessly for higher teacher pay and most immediately hiring special education paraprofessionals and school bus drivers, both needed badly!
Do you believe there is racism in Southlake? If so, how would you address it?
Southlake is a welcoming community. The fact that it continually draws a diverse population is proof that people of all ethnicities and faiths feel that welcoming spirit.
That said, racism can exist anywhere in America and should never be tolerated, including in Southlake. It is my intent that our schools reflect that welcoming spirit of our town. Working in tandem with the city, using my relationships with the mayor and city councilmembers, CISD can celebrate all cultures that make Southlake a wonderful place to call home — like our Diwali and Hispanic Heritage Month events. Additionally, CISD must consistently enforce the student code of conduct to ensure all students feel supported.
To that end, I know much has already been done to train teachers, administrators and students of the processes when incidents occur. We need to keep this going, simplifying the student code of conduct so that it is easy to understand and enforce.
What COVID-19 safety precautions do you think are appropriate for Carroll ISD?
We saw the emotional and academic impact of virtual learning on students: increased rates of depression and anxiety and average 2021 STAAR test scores dropping versus 2019. Following state guidelines, we can make schools safe and teach in person.
What will you do to help unify the community?
I’m used to negotiating collaborative solutions in the workplace, often with people representing many different viewpoints. This is a talent I can bring to the board as I would listen to and represent all of Southlake. In addition to cultural events, I would also promote school-wide team-building events and other ways to unify students and the community.
What does being a Dragon mean to you?
When we moved to Southlake, we couldn’t get over the unifying school spirit of Carroll ISD, with its amazing academics, athletic programs and dedicated and generous parents. Southlake is a special place and is so welcoming to people from all over the world. I feel lucky to be part of such a caring community.
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
I am the best candidate for Place 7, as the only one who is currently teaching and has decades of business experience. I can leverage these skills to raise much-needed funds to help Carroll ISD balance its budget while finding ways to hire and retain the best and brightest teachers. I have a true, long-term vision for helping all Dragons succeed and achieve their personal best. I’m honored to be endorsed by the entire city council, the mayor and the past three mayors, as well as CISD trustees Hannah Smith and Cameron Bryan.
Each candidate in this race was provided the same questions. We are publishing their answers in their own words. The views expressed in these articles do not directly reflect those of 'Southlake Style.'
Learn more about Andrew from the candidate forums held by the city of Southlake and the Southlake Foundation.