The Eanes ISD board of trustees met digitally for its regular board meeting March 31 due to district closures caused by coronavirus.
During that meeting, trustees took action on the May 2 general election, in which Place 1, Place 2 and Place 3 were set to appear on the ballot. The election was officially postponed through a unanimous vote.
The decision follows a proclamation from Gov. Greg Abbott on March 18 urging political subdivisions, including school districts, to postpone elections until Nov. 3 in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
the Texas Association of School Boards suggested this decision be made as soon as possible after consultation with the district’s appropriate county.
Since Travis County announced it would not conduct a May election, the responsibility of running the election would fall on the district, according to EISD general counsel Alyson Collins. Trustee elections are also required to be held on a uniform election date in May or November.
Due to these reasons, Collins stated that she believed a May election logistically cannot be held.
The postponement of the election will not impact future election dates nor will it extend the filing period for potential candidates, which ended Feb. 14, Collins said. However, she noted deadlines for campaign finance documents, newspaper notices and more will be moved closer to the November election date.
Place 1 is held by Christie Bybee; Place 2 is held by secretary of the board Jason Paull; and Place 3 is held by Vice President John Havenstrite. Neither Bybee nor Paull filed for a place on the ballot.
Havenstrite is running unopposed, as is resident Laura Clark for Place 2. Community members John Troy and Kim McMath are both running for Place 1.
