Carlos E. Flores
District 02
Carlos E. Flores
District 02
Below are the full questions and all answers provided by Carlos E. Flores.
Purpose & Leadership
Why are you running for this position, and what qualifications do you bring?
First elected to Council in 2017, I held community leadership positions as president for my neighborhood association and Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods. I have extensive knowledge and experience serving on city boards, commissions, committees, etc.
Professionally, I am an aerospace engineer with years in the private sector working for Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Parker Hannifin Aerospace.
Most senior councilman, I oversee the two largest development projects in the city: the Stockyards and Panther Island. The only councilmember who has two neighborhood improvement projects, chaired the Fire Department staffing committee, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Ad Hoc Committee to transition from Medstar to a fire-based system.
What are the top three priorities you will focus on if elected (list three maximum)?
- Street Repair & Maintenance, Infrastructure
- Reduce Taxes
- Increase public safety
Candidate Commitments
Candidates were asked to rank their level of agreement with the following statements:
I will actively support policies that protect and expand families’ ability to choose the best school for their children, including charter schools and traditional ISD schools.
Strongly Agree
I will champion high-quality education by advocating for policies and resources that support the growth and success of all schools, including charter schools.
Strongly Agree
I will foster collaboration between charter schools, traditional ISDs, and local government to improve education outcomes and expand opportunities for families.
Strongly Agree
I will support city-led initiatives to improve school safety, including pedestrian safety, traffic management, and security measures around school campuses.
Strongly Agree
I will advocate for increased mental health resources for students and families by supporting city partnerships and funding for school-based services.
Agree
I will push for transparent and consistent communication from city officials regarding education policies that impact families and schools.
Strongly Agree
Optional: Please explain any of your responses above.
No Response
Policy Questions
Public service requires balancing priorities that impact education, school safety, and community well-being. Candidates were asked to answer the following questions and provide a brief explanation for each response.
Will you advocate for policies that expand families’ access to high-quality public school options, including charter schools and 1882 partnerships (which allow school districts to collaborate with charter schools, universities, and nonprofits to expand educational opportunities), to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed? Yes
Parts of my district have historically low performing schools. Literacy rates continue to trend unacceptably low. The city council collaborates with the colleges & universities and business sectors to assist the ISDs. My district is the only one without a charter school.Will you actively support policies and initiatives that ensure high-quality schools have the public and political backing to exist, grow, and thrive as education options for families in our city? Yes
Success should be nurtured and supported. Collaboration between the City, business sectors and schools better academic performance. Businesses look at school performance when making employment decisions, corporate relocation and hiring. Without strong performing schools, City leaders will struggle with bringing economic opportunities, even with incentives.Will you support policies to improve transportation access for charter school students, including expanding bus services and ensuring safer walking routes? Yes
The city has a Safe Routes to School federal grant program to ensure direct connecting sidewalks to schools. Our CCPD program pays for half the School Resource Officers for the FWISD.Will you ensure that charter school families have a voice in city policy discussions that impact education, facilities, and community resources? Yes
Charter schools are part of school choice. Parents should have decision making ability to choose their child’s education option.Do you support equitable access to city resources for charter schools, such as allowing access to vacant city-owned buildings and ensuring fair funding opportunities for facilities and infrastructure? Yes
I support this because it’s of mutual benefit to both City planning and school districts. For example, Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD has its own master development plan in my conversations with the superintendent. He shared that with me and I shared it with our planning and development department. This better aligns both the ISD and the City's development priorities.Will you support city initiatives to improve traffic and pedestrian safety around schools, including enforcement of school zones and investment in infrastructure like crosswalks and speed bumps? Yes
Improving school crossings is something I have progressively done since in office. The City no longer uses speed bumps but has adopted speed cushions and speed tables, which are more effective. Working with schools, some roads changed to one way to enhance safety during student drop offs & pickups.Beyond general support, what specific actions will you take as a city council member to improve educational opportunities for all students, including those attending charter schools? (Open response)
Specifically, the city of Fort Worth can assist my providing school resource officers to charter schools like we do public schools. Additionally, we can assist with crossing guards as well. Connecting charter schools with our City’s education liaison will also enhance initiatives like literacy and early reading.