Danny Gonzales and Naomi Narvaiz are facing off for the District 1 seat on the San Marcos CISD Board of Trustees. The seat came open when current trustee David Castillo announced he would not seek re-election. Early voting for this race and others in the city of Kyle and Hays CISD takes place April 28–May 6. Election day is May 10. For more information about voting times and locations, look for the election guide in the next issue of Community Impact Newspaper, out on April 17. San Marcos was named the fastest growing city in the United States last year. That growth means new students. How can you ensure the district is able to keep pace with the growth and still be able to provide students with a quality education? Gonzales: Change is coming to our community; we need to decide whether we allow change to control us or if we control the change. We need to take charge and improve public education. We deserve a school district that parents want their children to attend and the school bond was a great start. Volunteering and working together as a community can help steer the change in the right direction. We have much to be proud of, but we have much work to do. I am willing to roll up my sleeves and do the work. I would be honored to serve as a trustee for San Marcos CISD, for District 1 and the entire community. Narvaiz: Quality education is one of the reasons I am seeking to be the next school board trustee for District 1. We must put our resources and dollars to the best use to accommodate the grow and this must include retaining and hiring great teachers and sending the dollars to the classroom, where they belong. What makes you qualified for this position? Gonzales: I have become involved in many local organizations that have helped teach me more about the community and its needs. Working on the community action committee for the school bond and then co-chair for the bond, I had the opportunity to learn a great deal about the school district and the needs of the students. Through working my way up the management ranks at TXI Cement Company, I have been able to work with various levels of the corporation, employees, outside contractors and agencies, managing and justifying a budget, dealing with employee salaries and issues while helping maintain a profitable business. Narvaiz: I have been involved in our school district and our community for many years as a parent and leader and believe that our children's education is tied to our community's vitality. I serve on the Hays Food Bank Board, the Ethics Review Commission for the city of San Marcos, am a neighborhood rep and am involved in several other organizations. I have a well-rounded leadership record and am well known for my character and integrity. I am honest and principled and will make sure I communicate with the parents and community. I'd like to see our business community and school district work together to ensure that our new residents and our San Marcos families want to send their children to our schools. What is the greatest challenge facing the district? Gonzales: The greatest challenges facing the district are poverty, managing growth and building stronger schools while being mindful of the tax dollars we are entrusted with. SMCISD needs to provide all children a quality education, so that they can compete in the work force, college and beyond. We need to continue to bring our community together as one San Marcos, with a positive spirit that builds good morale to the employees and families in the district. I know that I am ready to face all of those challenges, and I believe that we can meet those challenges together as a community. That is why I am running for school board. Narvaiz: I would say the greatest challenge is to tackle the district performance and push it to greater levels to ensure our students are properly prepared once they graduate and face independent life.