For Place 4, real estate executive Jonathan Bove will face John Severance, a retired engineer and business owner. Place 4 incumbent John Aoueille is not seeking re-election after nearly 10 years on the board.
Candidates were asked to answer the questions provided in 50 words or fewer and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Jonathan Bove
Experience:
Master’s Degree in Higher Education & Student Affairs, 20 years in student housing development, construction, and management
Occupation:
Executive at Landmark Properties
Candidate Website:
https://www.votebove.com/
Contact Information:
[email protected]
Why are you running for this position?
I’m a parent with young kids in our district who wants to focus on real priorities like student success and a balanced budget. Educating our children should be a bipartisan issue, and focusing on that goal means LTISD can improve our school ratings, our children’s educations, and our property values.
What is the biggest challenge facing the district and how would you address it?
LTISD needs to focus our finances to serve our students, retain and recruit the best teachers, and improve school rankings. I’m the candidate with the hands-on financial experience to balance a multi-million dollar budget in spite of a state funding shortfall and the communications experience to transparently engage, explain, and…
What is something you want Lake Travis ISD residents to know about you?
My entire career has been focused, in the boardroom and the classroom, on helping students prepare for life during and after college. I’m a champion for youth mental health, and I chair a coalition that serves nearly a million college students nationwide, leading a board balancing the resources of 30…
What changes would you like to see addressed at the state level regarding public education?
Now that it appears vouchers will pass in Texas, I'm most concerned about keeping LTISD tax dollars here in our district, actually serving LTISD students. We all need to insist that our state provides adequate funding for public education rather than reducing it to benefit special interests.
John Severance
Experience:
Raised three college educated kids, involved with LTEF, CTE, Advisory Committees and Chamber of Commerce
Occupation:
Engineer & business owner (retired 2023)
Candidate Website:
https://www.voteseverance.com/
Contact Information:
[email protected]
Why are you running for this position?
Since moving here in 2019, I’ve seen that LTISD students are the heart of our community. I want to ensure our schools remain strong, retain great teachers, and provide students with a safe learning environment. Every student deserves an excellent education, a sense of belonging, and lasting opportunities for success.
What is the biggest challenge facing the district and how would you address it?
The $6.3 million budget deficit is the biggest challenge. As a member of the Budget Advisory Committee, I work with the district to review revenue growth and expense reduction strategies that optimize resources and minimize impact on students and staff. More work is needed but we’re on the right track!
What is something you want Lake Travis ISD residents to know about you?
I am deeply involved in LTISD and the LT community. I serve as Director of LTEF Education Foundation, Mentor for CTE entrepreneur students, participate on the Budget Advisory Committee, Advisory Committee for Education, School Board meetings, LT Class Project, Leadership Lake Travis, and Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce.
What changes would you like to see addressed at the state level regarding public education?
I’d like to see an increase in the basic allotment to $7,160 per student with future inflation adjustments based on enrollment not attendance. Also, full funding for mandates imposed by Legislature and the freedom for local districts to make decisions that best serve their community, staff and students.
