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Get to know the candidates running for Places 1, 2 and 3 of the Eanes ISD board of trustees, which will be on the ballot in the upcoming May election.
What you need to know
Running for Place 1 are Afshan Khan, Kate Ivers and Robert Morrow. Incumbent Kim McMath is not seeking reelection.
Running for Place 2 are incumbent Laura Clark and Jennifer Blackman. Running for Place 3 are incumbent Diane Hern and Swasti Apte.
EISD trustees are elected at-large, meaning all registered voters living within EISD boundaries can vote for each place on the ballot, as trustees represent the entire district instead of a portion of it. Trustees serve three-year terms once elected.
The last day to register to vote is April 2. Early voting will be held April 20-28, and election day is May 2.
Something to note
Candidates were asked to limit their answers for each question to 50 words, not attack other opponents and keep answers relevant to the questions. Answers may have been minimally edited or cut to adhere to these guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Candidates were informed that "questionnaire not returned by deadline" would be published if Community Impact did not receive the candidate information and answers by the deadline provided.
Eanes parent (2x), attorney with 20 years in governance, budgeting, oversight, and organizational decision-making
What motivated you to run for this position?
I’m a parent with two children in Eanes and a Texas attorney who has seen how board decisions affect programs, safety, and trust. I’m running to raise the bar on how the board evaluates information, engages the community, and explains its decisions so families have clarity, confidence, and a stronger voice in the process.
If elected, what will be your top priorities to address district challenges?
My priorities are making the budget sustainable while protecting core teaching roles, supporting teacher retention with competitive pay and meaningful input, and improving student outcomes through high quality instruction, targeted interventions, and strong safety and mental health supports, so our decisions lead to better results for every learner.
If elected, what new district projects or policies would you like to see implemented?
I’d support multi-year financial forecasting with public updates, structured teacher input, and responsible revenue diversification. Together, these steps raise the bar on transparency and ensure board decisions are informed, accountable, and consistently focused on better outcomes for students.
Westlake Adult and Child psychiatrist; Dell Medical School educator, Eanes parent, business owner, Westlake Baccalaureate ...
What motivated you to run for this position?
As a child psychiatrist and Eanes ISD parent, I recognize the growing academic, emotional, and societal pressures facing our students. I am running to ensure district policies reflect evidence-based practices, fiscal responsibility, and community partnership—so we prepare students not only for academic success, but for leadership, resilience, and responsible citizenship.
If elected, what will be your top priorities to address district challenges?
My priorities include strengthening district-wide mental health frameworks, improving teacher recruitment and retention, ensuring transparent budgeting and long-term financial planning, and increasing meaningful parent and community engagement. We must protect academic excellence while implementing data-driven strategies that address enrollment trends, student well-being, and evolving workforce readiness demands.
If elected, what new district projects or policies would you like to see implemented?
I support expanding structured social-emotional learning benchmarks, implementing sustainable revenue-generating initiatives such as community-based adult education programs, and creating policies that allow innovative instructional models while maintaining accountability. I also advocate for stronger family engagement systems and clear metrics to evaluate program effectiveness and student outcomes.
Questionnaire not returned by deadline
What motivated you to run for this position?
Questionnaire not returned by deadline.
If elected, what will be your top priorities to address district challenges?
Questionnaire not returned by deadline.
If elected, what new district projects or policies would you like to see implemented?
Questionnaire not returned by deadline.
Nonprofit consultant; 2-year District Leadership Team appointee, RYHT Community Leaders Fellowship participant, EEF Board member …
What motivated you to run for this position?
As Mom to a 3rd grader, I’m running for Eanes ISD Trustee Place 2 because it’s imperative we preserve Eanes Excellence, Sustainably with SALT (Stewardship of Resources; Accountability for Outcomes; Longevity in Planning; Transparency in Communications). A Texas MBA problem solver and business strategy consultant, I want to help Eanes.
If elected, what will be your top priorities to address district challenges?
I'd start by getting our financial house in order. Long-term visibility relieves uncertainty for all Eanes stakeholders. Teachers: offer competitive pay and incentives to attract/reward/retain talent. Foster a culture built on collaboration & recognition. Students: connect learning with real-world purpose. Safety: non-negotiable; stringent pre-employment vetting and ongoing background checks.
If elected, what new district projects or policies would you like to see implemented?
Teachers: Expand recruiting pipelines with UT & Texas St.; streamline non-instructional tasks; create teacher leadership pathways. Students: Establish a student committee for Superintendent; implement formative benchmarking across grades & subjects to track mastery and adjust instruction weekly. Safety: Implement Two-Adult / Open Visibility best practices; create improved system for student/parent incident reporting.
Trustee, marketing director, teacher, and 17-year volunteer. Experience that puts students first.
What motivated you to run for this position?
Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their greatest potential. I've dedicated 20 years to Eanes, holding little hands teaching PreK, watching my own kids grow, making hard decisions as a trustee. State funding has stalled. The urgency is real and experience matters. I won't stop fighting for our kids.
If elected, what will be your top priorities to address district challenges?
Maintaining educational excellence despite real budget constraints is imperative. Teachers need competitive compensation, not uncertainty. Families deserve honest, clear communication. I'll protect enrichment opportunities that make Eanes exceptional at every grade level, pursue alternative revenue streams, and fight for fair state funding. Proven leadership matters most when stakes are highest.
If elected, what new district projects or policies would you like to see implemented?
Great districts evolve strategically. I'll expand alternative learning pathways, deepen inclusive programs, and fight to improve teacher pay. Community input will guide smart facility investments to modernize our infrastructure within our means and my track record shows I know how to deliver. Strategic investments, fiscal responsibility, student-centered policies.
Community advocate; Eanes Trustee elected 2023, extensive district and community committee/club engagement, mother of …
What motivated you to run for this position?
I care deeply about the education of our youth and the future of our community. An engineering, business, and public policy background combined with one term of board experience make me uniquely qualified to be a voice that engages our community and positions Eanes for excellence well into the future.
If elected, what will be your top priorities to address district challenges?
We must prioritize balancing our budget while not compromising the outstanding educational experience that Eanes parents expect. We must support students and educators, ensuring an inspiring and rewarding classroom experience for all. We need robust community engagement to plan for smart, visionary investment in our facilities across the district.
If elected, what new district projects or policies would you like to see implemented?
Eanes needs thoughtful, informed policies on the appropriate use of technology in the classroom. We must ensure that students of all ages have enrichment opportunities in arts and other areas. We must provide appropriately paced academic pathways and robust opportunities for ALL learners while adapting to a shifting workforce economy.
Strategic healthcare planner familiar with finding revenue; Eanes parent committed to data-driven, transparent governance
What motivated you to run for this position?
I am running because Eanes ISD suffers from a lack of proactive planning, poor communication, and little transparency. Major decisions are made behind closed doors without community input. As a strategic planner, I want to bring proactive problem solving, honest communication, and genuine listening back to our board.
If elected, what will be your top priorities to address district challenges?
I will prioritize fiscal responsibility, restore vital academic programs, and demand administrative accountability. We must move from reactive crisis management to proactive planning. I will champion policies that protect student learning environments and ensure our district leadership is held accountable for clear, early communication with all Eanes families.
If elected, what new district projects or policies would you like to see implemented?
I will establish a strict policy requiring community input before major academic changes. I also want to launch projects that aggressively pursue alternative revenue streams, such as facility leases and corporate sponsorships, to proactively support our classrooms without immediately turning to taxpayers to foot the bill.
