As the upcoming school board election approaches, it’s essential for families and community members to be informed about the candidates running for these pivotal roles. Our local school board shapes the future of our children’s education, influencing everything from curriculum and school policies to budgeting and community engagement. To help you make informed decisions, I ask three questions to each of the candidates to ask them about their vision for our schools. In these interviews, you’ll hear directly from the candidates about their priorities, their plans for addressing the challenges our district faces, and how they hope to make a difference in the lives of students, teachers, and families. Whether you’re passionate about improving education or simply want to know more about who’s running for these vital positions, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get to know the candidates and learn how their leadership could impact our schools for years to come.
Wimberley ISD Place 1
What would be your #1 priority if elected?
In my first term I promised to do all I could to keep our district free from woke ideologies, ensure a curriculum focused on productive citizenship, and maintain transparency with parents regarding books and processes. I’ve worked diligently with the board and administration to deliver on these promises. My current platform builds on these pledges, with added emphasis on budget advocacy, campus safety, and retaining top teachers and staff.
Why is this position important to you?
Focusing on advocating for our district as it relates to solving the school financing/chapter 49 issues has a direct impact on all the other topics like retaining the best teachers and school safety. Our children, parents and taxpayers deserve to have their tax dollars go to our children first. If there is any left after we have covered all necessary items in our district to educate our kids exceptionally, then we can help other districts.
How do you intend to involve parents, teachers, and community members in decision-making processes, especially on issues like curriculum changes, school safety, and budget management?
When the board hired our new superintendent two years ago, one of the first things we did with him was create a new strategic plan for the district that included input from all the stakeholders in the community. We are continuing to execute on that plan, get feedback through different committees and receive input from stakeholders in a variety of ways. That will continue. Personally, I have made myself available via phone or email and will continue to make sure I let parents and community members know about critical items and changes via social media
What would be your #1 priority if elected?
My number one priority if elected to the board of trustees would be to continue in the complicated and important work of figuring out how to fund our district in light of the chapter 49 regulations.
Without proper funding. Students, teachers, administrators, and our facilities will all suffer. It is a task tantamount to unscrambling an egg, but must nonetheless be taken head on.
I will work with the superintendent and the rest of the board to gather information to collectively come up with solutions for immidiate needs while continuing the work of ours and other districts to influence legislators to remove obstacles from the current recapture system.
Why is this position important to you?
Being on the School Board in Wimberley is important because of my love for Wimberley people. I have had kids in the district for 13 years now and will have kids there for another several years. During this time I have been able to build relationships with many families in the community…all these folk are important to me. I am willing and capable to work toward best possible outcomes for each student in our community. I would be an honor to serve Wimberley in this way.
How do you intend to involve parents, teachers, and community members in decision-making processes, especially on issues like curriculum changes, school safety, and budget management?
To successfully navigate the challenges of maintaining the excellence that we are accustomed to here in Wimberley, engaging with the community is paramount. When I say community I mean that to include students, parents. Teachers, and the entirety of WISD staff. To accomplish this, interfacing and having excellent communication with our superintendent is the most efficient way for a board to have maximum efficiency in changing what needs changed, maintaining what should be retained, and planning for future needs. Ensuring that the superintendent has clear directives and pathways to disseminate district prioritizes among administrative and instructive staff as well as the resources to do so is the primary function of the Board. In doing so, as a board member I will continue to participate in and encourage, among any other pertinent tools, special committees comprised of Wimberley parents/residents, education opportunities for the board/administrators via consulting professionals, and ensuring pathways of communication so that students, staff, and parents can be heard.
Wimberley ISD Place 2
What would be your #1 priority if elected?
As your candidate for the WISD board, my top priority remains clear: ensuring that every student in WISD receives a world-class education in a school environment where they feel heard, safe, and respected. Achieving this requires addressing several critical issues. First and foremost, we must offer competitive compensation and benefits to our teachers and staff. WISD is surrounded by larger districts like Dripping Springs ISD, HAYS CISD, and San Marcos ISD, all of which have larger budgets and can offer more attractive salaries. To retain our current talent and attract new educators, we must explore strategic solutions to reduce our Chapter 49 or ‘Robin Hood’ recapture payments to the state. This will allow us to reinvest in our staff and ensure WISD remains a district of choice for both families and educators.
Why is this position important to you?
When I first decided to run for a seat on the WISD board, I saw many people in our community calling for change, yet no one was willing , or able, to make the commitment to run. I realized that I couldn’t be frustrated with certain policies without stepping up to be part of the solution. That’s why I put my name forward, and I still hold those same convictions today. It’s important to me that parents and citizens in our district have a voice on the board—a voice that understands and shares their values and priorities. I take pride in serving as a conduit for the WISD community, ensuring their concerns and ideas are heard and addressed.
How do you intend to involve parents, teachers, and community members in decision-making processes, especially on issues like curriculum changes, school safety, and budget management?
What would be your #1 priority if elected?
If elected, my #1 priority will be to listen to all constituents and make sure that all voices in our district are heard and represented on the board. In my opinion, the most important skill of a school trustee is to listen. All voices in the district must be represented by the trustees and at times, a trustee should be able to put their own beliefs aside when making decisions about an entire district. I will do my very best to put our students and teachers first and make sure that they are well represented when we make each and every decision that pertains to them. Since I have three children that attend school in WISD, I am uniquely impacted.
Why is this position important to you?
My experience with the teachers and administration at WISD is one of the reasons that I value the public school system. I have placed the most valuable things in my life, my kids, in the care of WISD because I believe in our district and I believe in the work that our teachers and administrators are doing. If you elect me, I will use my passion for this district to help maintain the high standards of our district and make sure that my kids, and other kids, continue to have positive experiences in our district. You and I may not agree on everything, but if you have kids, grandkids, or other kids in your life that you care about attending WISD, I am sure that we agree on maintaining the high standard and caring atmosphere that we have at WISD. You can know that I will work hard on OUR behalf because I have three really important reasons to work hard for our district – my kids.
How do you intend to involve parents, teachers, and community members in decision-making processes, especially on issues like curriculum changes, school safety, and budget management?
Listening to the superintendent, administration, staff, students, and caregivers of Wimberley ISD is an essential part of being an effective trustee. When elected, I will represent all of the constituents in WISD. I will not just represent those who voted for me but will also include those who may not have. Being open and able to hear all opinions, even those you disagree with, is a critical part of being a trustee. I commit to listening to all sides of an issue or concern before making a decision and casting my vote. I value teamwork and I will work hard with other trustees to find common ground and consensus. When choosing community members for committees, I will ask those who are qualified for the task at hand and include new, fresh, and qualified voices. Creating a diverse group of people who represent our ideologically diverse community is essential to unify our district.