Additional Information

First elected to the SBOE in 2002. Current term expires January 2025. 

*Hardy lost her reelection bid for SBOE District 11 in the 2024 Republican primary election. She will not be on the November 2024 general election ballot.

Has chaired the SBOE Committee on School Finance/Permanent School Fund. 

Part-time instructional specialist in Weatherford ISD. Previously served as the Weatherford ISD social studies coordinator. Taught world history and geography for 30 years at Castleberry High School in Fort Worth. Selected three times to participate in the Fulbright Seminar Abroad program. Awards received: Castleberry ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year; Howard Payne University Alumnus of the Year; River Oaks Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year; Texas Alliance for Geographic Education Distinguished Service Award; National Council for Geographic Education Distinguished Teaching Award; Texas Excellence in Education Award from The University of Texas Ex-Students' Association; and Texas Social Studies Supervisor of the Year by the Texas Social Studies Supervisors Association. 
 
Endorsed in the 2024 Republican primary election by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram editorial board. She also received their endorsement in the 2022 Republican primary election and in the 2014 election. 

Endorsed by the editorial board of the Dallas Morning News in the 2024 Republican primary election. She also received their endorsement in the 2022 general election, the 2022 Republican primary election, the 2018 primary election, and the 2014 election.

Recommended favorably by Texans for Public Education, a grassroots educators' group that has researched and rated candidates in the 2018 election based on their stances toward public schools. 

Endorsed in 2014 by Texas Parent PAC, a pro-public education organization that advocates for adequate and equitable funding of public schools, local control, teacher quality and the prevention of private school vouchers. 

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Candidate Survey Responses

DID NOT RESPOND TO THE 2024 ATPE CANDIDATE SURVEY.
 

BELOW ARE THE CANDIDATE'S RESPONSES TO THE 2022 ATPE CANDIDATE SURVEY:

1. If elected, what do you believe your primary role and responsibility as a state board member should be?

My primary role is to represent my constituents in matters that are the responsibility of the State Board of Education. Some of the key responsibilities of the SBOE are approval of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, textbook adoption, charter school approvals, oversight of the Permanent School Fund just to name a few.

2. In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue facing public education in Texas?

The most pressing issue currently facing public education is to address the gaps caused by Covid. State testing should be for diagnostic purposes only, with no ramifications for students not matching preCovid expectations. Second to that would be the educator shortage. Trying times has caused an exodus of educators, especially experienced classroom teachers.

3. What role should educators and educator groups such as ATPE play in policy decisions made by the State Board of Education (SBOE)?

ATPE and individual educators should lobby SBOE members on key policy issues. Before making decisions I truly appreciate hearing from my constituents. Educators, especially current ones, often give a perspective that only someone in the trenches can know. I have over the years depended on ATPE staff and members to inform and update me on a variety of issues.

4. How much weight should the SBOE give to educators’ input when it comes to setting curriculum standards (known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills or “TEKS”) and evaluating instructional materials?

Educators are and should be a major part of the process for both the TEKS and instructional materials. I am always open to hearing from my educator constituents on these issues as well.

5. Do you believe our state’s public education system, including current regulations on testing and accountability, graduation requirements, and curriculum standards, enables students to receive a well-rounded education throughout all grade levels? Would you recommend any changes?

In general I would say yes. But currently I have concerns with the educational damage caused by Covid and think that some adjustments need to be made. An example of an adjustment to graduation requirements might be the temporary elimination of the required Exit STAAR.

6. What role, if any, should charter schools have in the Texas public education system?

Charter schools are created by state law and I do believe that they have a role in the state education system. I particularly like single purpose charter schools such as fine arts academies or classical education schools. I also think that in neighborhoods where schools are failing, charter public schools can be a valuable addition to the regular public education system.

7. What role should the SBOE play in overseeing charter schools, such as approving or denying new charter applications and expansion requests of existing charters?

The charter application is an arduous process. The TEA selects their top picks among the numerous applications. The SBOE then has an up or down vote on what is referred to as the Commissioner's list. This allows the Board time to study the selected charters more closely. I would like to see legislation that would give the Board a role in the expansion of the selected charter schools. In the regular session the legislature attempted to take away the up or down vote by the SBOE for charters. I successfully lobbied against that proposal.

8. Do you believe the SBOE should continue to have the authority to review and potentially veto any rulemaking actions taken by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)?

Yes, by the SBOE having this authority, an elected body has a voice. This would allow for public comment or query into something created by a state agency.

Additional Comments from Candidate on Survey