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Five candidates will be on the ballot for the upcoming Eanes ISD board of trustees election.
Running for Place 4 is incumbent James Spradley and Robert Morrow. Running for Place 5 is Kelly Marwill, Aaron Silva and Catherine Walker.
Voter deadline registration is April 4. Early voting begins April 22, and election day is May 4.
Candidates were asked to limit their answers to 50 words, and some responses have been edited for length, style and clarity.
Why are you rerunning for this position?
I have worked hard to help Eanes ISD reach its current position as the No. 1 K-12 school district in the U.S. [Niche]. There are still things that I would like to accomplish as a trustee to maintain the level of excellence that the Eanes ISD community appreciates and expects.
What are your major areas of concern for the district?
School finance. The state has collected billions of dollars of school taxes that have not been released to school districts. Meanwhile, inflation has driven up the cost of education by 19% over the last five years. We need to lobby the Legislature to distribute the education taxes we’ve paid.
If re-elected, what is your No. 1 priority to address?
Long-range facility planning. Our newest campus is over 25 years old. How we educate children has substantially changed over the decades. We need facilities that support the latest teaching and learning methods. With updated facilities, our district will be positioned for continued educational excellence for decades to come.
Why are you running for this position?
Questionnaire not returned by deadline
What are your major areas of concern for the district?
Questionnaire not returned by deadline
If elected, what is your No. 1 priority to address?
Questionnaire not returned by deadline
Why are you running for this position?
I'm a nurse with an oath to advocate and strive for the health and safety of all. I have been a busy volunteer, district employee, board member, board president and equity advocate for over a decade. I extended my reach by joining the Westlake Chamber of Commerce.
What are your major areas of concern for the district?
Safety and mental health practices should always be developing. The official swearing in of the police force and car arrival will add layers of needed security. More community programs around seatbelts & student work/life balance. State mandated tax compression lowered taxes but unfortunately lowered investment income around $1 million.
If elected, what is your No. 1 priority to address?
Teacher retention and recruitment. Teachers are to schools what nurses are to hospitals. Caring for teachers is caring for students. We need more substitutes and we need training opportunities for growth and professional development.
Why are you running for this position?
Eanes is one of the best school districts in the nation, but I want to take Eanes to the next level of excellence by working to build community trust; reward great teachers; forge partnerships with parents; achieve excellence in the classroom; and keep an entrepreneur's eye on the budget.
What are your major areas of concern for the district?
Community trust in the board, teacher retention, alarming financial practices, the “success failure,” and the lack of an Eanes dad or CEO-level business experience on the board. We must address these issues and bring these perspectives to the board to preserve the great legacy of Eanes ISD.
If elected, what is your No. 1 priority to address?
Eanes must prioritize investment in great teachers and excellence in education. By using my real-world business experience, I’ll work to end the unsustainable fiscal practices of deficit spending and using debt to pay operating expenses, while Eanes collects $2.5 million from private Eanes Education Foundation donors.
Why are you running for this position?
I’m a mother of children in EISD middle and elementary schools. All three receive special education services. We're a Spanish Immersion family, acknowledging its imperfections. I possess the financial acumen, executive experience, and discernment to support the board, administration and families through financial decisions crucial for the district's long-term well-being.
What are your major areas of concern for the district?
Long term financial stability and sustainability; public education funding challenges are real but not insurmountable. Spanish Immersion attracted us to Eanes, yet it hasn't met expectations. It has potential as a revenue source but mustn't burden finances. Early screening for learning disabilities is essential; improvement is necessary despite good intentions.
If elected, what is your No. 1 priority to address?
As part of the budget cycle, the board's task is to adopt the 2024-25 budget by June. Despite the current deficit, as trustee I’ll embrace the opportunity to balance various competing demands, including tax rates, recapture, and compensation plans, ensuring prudent financial management for the district's prosperity.
