Brian K. Henderson is facing Miguel Arredondo in the race for the District 1 seat on the San Marcos CISD board of trustees. Early voting in the race runs April 24-May 2. Election day is May 6. For more information on polling locations click here.

Why are you running? 

I'm running to make a difference in the San Marcos CISD. I want to fight for the students and teachers in this district. I want to fight for competitive salaries for teachers and administrators. I want to fight for more diversity in the ranks for teachers and administrators. I want to fight against overcrowding of schools to keep up with the growth of the population and district.

What will be your top priority if elected? 

To fight against overcrowding of schools and fight for more diversity and competitive for salaries for the district teachers and administrators.

Why do you think you are qualified to be a trustee? 

I served on the local school board council in the Chicago Public Schools for Penn Elementary School for a two-year term. I have a lot of experience in community and public service, and I'm a former 2016 San Marcos City Council Place 3 general election candidate.

San Marcos CISD has made a financial commitment to a full-day pre-kindergarten program that is largely funded by the district rather than through paid student tuition. Do you believe this commitment should be re-examined as part of the budgeting process for the 2017-18 school year? Why or why not? 

No. I believe that it should be permanent as far as full-day kindergarten and the district should continue to fund it. I believe in investing in students while they are young and in the formative years, preparing them for math, science, and technology.

Do you support the district's 2017 bond and the projects included within the bond package? Why or why not? 

Yes I do, because by talking with the superintendent, this fights overcrowding and we need an elementary school, and the middle school and the rest of the elementary schools need renovations. San Marcos CISD needs additional elementary classrooms, and with population growth, we need 10 new buses and a transportation center. I believe we also need additional technology and security infrastructure. We need to keep up with the growth of the population, and we need to prevent overcrowding of the schools. This is why I support the bond and hope it passes.