Fort Worth Families Forward

Families working to create a better education system for our children, no matter what it takes

Christopher Johnson

by

Christopher Johnson

District 11

Christopher Johnson

District 11

Below are the full questions and all answers provided by Christopher Johnson.

Purpose & Leadership

Why are you running for this position, and what qualifications do you bring?
With over 25 years in business ownership and management, I bring a unique level of knowledge, experience and vision, my diverse background includes leading neighborhood, associations, advocating for the community and collaborating with various departments at City Hall to drive positive change.

What are the top three priorities you will focus on if elected (list three maximum)?

  • Economic Development
  • Public safety
  • Advocating for community,Businesses and Schools

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.
Strongly 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.
Supporting all children and those from underserved communities requires a multi-layered approach involving education, healthcare, community support, and policy changes. By increasing access to resources and fostering inclusivity, we can help these children thrive.I will advocate for increased state and federal funding for schools in underserved areas. • Encourage support for families and policies that prioritize special education and mental health programs. 2. Access to Early Diagnosis & Intervention • Push for policies that ensure free or low-cost developmental screenings for all children. 3. I will advocate for finding qualified Educators with a desire for excellence, a heart for the kids and failure is not an option attitude.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

These kind of issues and concerns includes a variety of local and state government ,as city councilman i will do everything in my power to advocate and collaborate, by building coalitions with other parents and organizations, and share data and personal stories to highlight the need for educational equity and opportunityI would start by Researching Local & State Policies,Determine which specific policies you want to see changed or implemented and Promote the school's mission and achievements to the community would be a good start.

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

I would focus on demonstrating tangible results, fostering community engagement, and building coalitions to advocate for policies that benefit all students.

Will you support policies to improve transportation access for charter school students, including expanding bus services and ensuring safer walking routes? Yes

I would advocate and lobby for state funding specifically allocated to charter schools for transportation, ensuring they receive the same per-pupil funding as district public schools. Flexible Funding: Ensure that funding mechanisms allow charter schools to utilize funds for transportation, including partnering with local districts to share costs. Private School Choice Programs: Advocate for private school choice programs to allow pupil transportation as an eligible use of ESA, tax-credit scholarships, or voucher dollars. 2I would support Flexible and Innovative Policies:

Will you ensure that charter school families have a voice in city policy discussions that impact education, facilities, and community resources? Yes

As your next city councilman i will fully support and advocate for positive impactful change: Transform schools into neighborhood hubs where families, students, and community members collaborate to shape education and community resources. Parent Leadership & Advocacy. Hire education organizers to build parent leaders, teach community organizing skills, and support grassroots efforts. Strengths-Based Family Engagement: Focus on the potential of families and the community as a whole, recognizing their funds of knowledge Regular Communication: Use various platforms (traditional and digital) to keep families informed about policy discussions and opportunities for input. and last but least show up to city council meetings on Tuesday nights

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 will advocate and collaborate with other local and state government officials to provide charter schools with access to tax-exempt financing, ability to share in bonds or mill levies, offering low or no-cost leasing privileges, land-use policies that treat charter schools fairly, prohibiting deed restrictions that limit charter school access to public buildings, and giving charter schools preference to purchase surplus public buildings. Prioritizing states with favorable policies will help maximize the impact of funds. I would also educate people and the community about Equitable Access to School Facilities Act, knowledge is power.

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

Safe Routes to School programs, install traffic-calming measures, improve infrastructure, and promote education and enforcement. Encourage and enable more children to safely walk and bicycle to school, also i would access resources and organizations that can donate bicycles to the schools for students improving student health, traffic congestion, safety, and air quality. I would build a plan of action and develop green space that would include tree-lined streets and other landscape improvements that would decrease traffic speeds, reduce traffic accidents and provide a safety barrier for pedestrians, both improving overall safety and facilitating a more positive pedestrian experience on routes to and from school.

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)

I will advocate and support for increased funding for schools, supporting after-school and summer programs, and fostering partnerships between schools, businesses, and community organizations. As a successful business owner of 25 plus years i have formed many professional relationships with a variety of different people from different races and ages from college professors, restaurant owners, lawyers, dentist, body shop, hairstylist, musicians, artist etc .Its my mentorship program that derived from The Johnson District 11 recovery and revitalization plan 2025.in my opinion you have a limited time to plant and nurture a young child, and eventually you can see the positive impactful benefits as they grow from teenager to adulthood.

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