LeBlanc looks to keep values in PISD with School Board bid

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Misty LeBlanc is running against Janet Hancock for Pampa Independent School District Board of Trustees.

LeBlanc was born and raised in Pampa, the daughter of Bill and Cathy Scribner. She graduated Pampa High School in 1995 and went to Texas Tech University earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1999. 

She then went on to optometry school at the University of Houston and graduated in 2003. She has practiced optometry for almost 18 years.

LeBlanc said part of the issue facing school systems today is the curriculums have went away from the value of hard work.

“(They’ve gone away) from the responsibilities of the citizens in the community,” LeBlanc said. “We are basically building our communities on our youth. When you look at technology, people want to do the least amount of work to get the job done. 

“That’s what we teach with technology: how quickly and efficient you get the job done. But there is a value in a career, a job and a service to other people. We’ve lost that knack of training those kids up and how to use those tools and skills.”

LeBlanc feels like the school system is the avenue to change how the youth use technology responsibly.

“We know there is a reason for technology and there are good things about it,” LeBlanc said. “But our kids are lacking a motivation to be driven individuals, accomplish tasks and get the work done. There are rewards on the other side of that and they are great.”

LeBlanc said youth are a direct reflection and would like to help the teachers find the multitude of avenues of curriculum and build on what is working well in the District.

LeBlanc feels the District has broadened the horizon on getting students ready for post-secondary life.

“My boys coming out of elementary school had been taught how to research a career, get a list of jobs they were interested in, find the college that provided those professions training and they knew the economical impact,” LeBlanc said. “My son brought home a worksheet he had done that had property taxes, rent, etc. They are young and that type of training of what you’re going to do in life (is great).”

Finding joy in your career after high school is an important aspect of life for LeBlanc.

“Just because you are educated and you have a great job doesn’t always bring joy and fulfillment,”LeBlanc said. “Your life is a complete congregation of multiple things. I have people I see in my office that have been janitors all of their lives and they are the most happy, generous people. 

“It’s important to find contentment and where you’re supposed to be. You’ll find it’s not always about money. Sometimes it’s about what you’re created for and meant to do. I feel like our education system should be tiered to finding their way in life.

“I feel like most teachers have had that as their goal or priority.”

As a rural school district, LeBlanc said sometimes we forget about the benefits of having money to upgrade and move with the changes.

“Whether it’s new facilities, equipment, curriculums, etc.,” LeBlanc said. “It really does hinder the District when they don’t have the resources they need to help these kids.”

LeBlanc feels like Pampa is about to grow and it’s an exciting time to be a part of the District and community.

LeBlanc wants to help students see past some of the hidden agenda in curriculums.

“I really want the curriculums to stay specific to what will benefit the students,” LeBlanc said. “Watching all of the news media with political agendas, committees and excess things they are trying to bring in to train these students, (in my opinion at times, brainwash them) is dangerous.”

LeBlanc added it’s about finding a balance with the sciences and making the curriculums stick to the values that serve students the best.

“Kids should not have to sift through the politics to get to what the truth is,” LeBlanc said. “As a parent, it would help to have somebody on the Board that is objective and not a part of the school system. The School Board is one of the truest democracies you can have. You can have true liaisons from the public with members from business leaders and parents from the community.”

LeBlanc and her husband, Toby, lived in Dallas-Fort Worth for the first part of their marriage before the opportunity arose to come back to Pampa when Dr. Baker retired. 

“It was the greatest gift to come back to Pampa and join her (sister, Lindsay) in the practice,” LeBlanc said. “We bought Elite Eye Care from Panhandle Eye Group in 2012 and are fixing to have our 10 year anniversary.”

LeBlanc has two sons, both in the school district.

For more information, call LeBlanc at 940-390-6849 or visit her Facebook page.

Election Day

Saturday, May 1, 2021 – at M.K. Brown Auditorium

Hours will be : 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early Voting: 

Begins on April 19 and ends on April 27

It will be held at the Pampa ISD Administration Building, 1233 N. Hobart Street

Hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

There will be two twelve hours day on Monday, April 26 and Tuesday, April 27

Hours for voting on those days will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.