Nothing symbolizes the start of the school year more than a new backpack stocked with the tools for learning. Unfortunately, many children in the RISD do not have the means to purchase this basic back-to-school accessory. Carol Kent, candidate for State Representative in House District 102, is demonstrating her commitment to equipping Texas students for the job of learning with a unique service project titled Giving Back to our Schools. Kent’s campaign has plans to collect more than 200 backpacks for the schools districts within District 102, which includes Dallas, Garland and Richardson.

“I was really looking for a way to involve my campaign with some tangible way of helping our schools this fall – a service project to give back to our schools,” says Kent, who is currently serving her second term as a RISD Trustee. “Having a new backpack is one way to make sure that every student has the tools at hand to start the new school year.”

Education seems like a natural platform for Kent’s campaign given her 20 year career in higher education and extensive involvement with the PTA over the years. Kent says she has seen how vital it is for the Legislature to understand the challenges of educating Texas children, youth and college students. She is ready to take the lead in addressing some of these issues with access to early childhood education being at the top of the list. “Early childhood education is one of the most powerful contributors to academic success for our schoolchildren,” Kent explains. “State funding is not sufficient to guarantee universal access to prekindergarten and kindergarten. One of the most important pieces of legislation we could pass would be to provide full-day, universal pre-K and kindergarten programming for every child in the state of Texas.”

Other education related priorities on Kent’s agenda include increasing teacher pay, updating text books and expanding funding for classroom technology.

For now though, Kent is making a difference one backpack at a time.

To donate a new backpack to a student, visit www.electcarolkent.com or call her campaign office at 972-248-9219.

Richarson Echo editorials are published as a service to readers in the Richardson area. The opinions contained within do not  necessarily reflect the opinions of the Richardson Echo.