There are two spots up for the at-large seats. One is held by incumbent Board Member Wes Clark, who is seeking re-election. The other is held by David Heefner, who is not.
Megan Stratemann-Willis, James “Randy” Lenard and Matthew Sargent will appear alongside Clark on the ballot for the two at large positions.
In District 1, incumbent Board Member Keith Smith will run against newcomer Morgan Renaud for the position.
Candidate responses have been edited for length, style and clarity.
Wes Clark
Experience:
At-large board of trustees member for 9 years
Occupation:
President of Rocky Hill Equipment Rentals
Contact Information:
[email protected] rn
What would be your top priorities if you are elected?
My top priorities would be working with the superintendent and his staff in developing a strategic plan for NBISD. This plan will include SMART measurable goals and will serve as a scorecard to ensure NBISD is providing the best educational experience for our students. A second priority would be planning for future schools. As a fast growth district, the long-term plan for new schools is constantly changing. Based on the latest demographer report, NBISD student growth is faster than expected.
How should NBISD handle growth within the district?
Being a fast growth district poses challenges. NBISD must be forward thinking, strategic and constantly adapting in order to handle the growth. The latest demographer report showed a greater increase in student growth than expected. NBISD has done a good job of taking this data and using it in planning for the future. Meaning location of new school sites, attendance zones and looking at land acquisition in order to be prepared in the high growth areas.
Randy Lenard
Experience:
Husband to Rebecca Kaufmann Lenard; father of three; BA in communication from Texas A&M University; MA in leadership studies from The University of Texas; global executive MBA from the University of Miami; 21-plus years serving as a leader of Marines in peace and in combat; lieutenant colonel, USMC
Occupation:
Small business owner, Leadership and Strategic Planning Consultant, Tasman Sharp & The Ripsnorters Band Manager
Candidate Website:
www.facebook.com/voterandylenard
Contact Information:
830-660-3971, [email protected]
What would be your top priorities if you are elected?
Leadership: Ensure that NBISD leadership is held accountable for actions taken or not taken. Ensure all citizens of New Braunfels ISD are fairly represented, to include homeschool students, private school students and public school students. Make footprints. Visit all NBISD campuses monthly to ensure I understand the environment our children are learning in. (You can’t lead from behind your desk.) The Plan: 1-5 year NBISD operations plan (development, refinement and execution). Vision and Strategy: looking 5-15 years out, able to pivot on the needs of our community.
How should NBISD handle growth within the district?
New Braunfels ISD must keep education at the forefront of any plan made. Does the resolution, bond or plan improve education for our children? If the answer is yes, move out fast. If the answer is no, drop it and do not waste time. Growth should be handled with a plan [that] is mutually supported by the City Council, city manager, mayor and all other leadership who can influence responsible growth in New Braunfels.
Matthew Sargent
Experience:
15 years, previous NBISD board of trustees member
Occupation:
electrical engineer
Contact Information:
[email protected]
What would be your top priorities if you are elected?
My top priorities would be to ensure that all students, parents and employees have a voice in what happens in their district. The growth of our district has been steady, and the people involved have been very supportive of the bonds to address these challenges for facilities, technology and transportation. We need to continue to collaborate with students, parents and employees to ensure all needs are met and that we are making sound decisions for our district.
How should NBISD handle growth within the district?
We need to continue looking at bond packages to expand the number of schools. We need to look at the numbers and verify that we are building the right schools in the right place at the right time. This is a larger issue than just growth. There are other schools that are being left by the wayside; the equity in classrooms and design features are not the same for schools not built in the last 10 years as the ones we have built in that time frame.
Megan Stratemann-Willis
Experience:
I am a fifth-generation New Braunfels native who bleeds blue and is passionate about our school district. I am a 1998 graduate of New Braunfels High School, a mother of future NBISD graduates and come from a long list of Unicorn graduates, a family of teachers and civil servants. I have worked in the municipal electric utility field for over 18 years and understand the responsibility of managing a budget and representing our community with integrity. [My] bachelor's degree [is] from Texas A&M University and [my] master's in business administration [is] from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Occupation:
electric distribution designer senior
Contact Information:
830-875-0654, [email protected]
What would be your top priorities if you are elected?
The NBISD school board needs to address the strain the pandemic has placed on our public school system. Alongside our teaching staff and paraprofessionals, we must strive to find ways to retain these highly qualified individuals and attract additional individuals to keep up with the needs of our growing school district. In addition to addressing the teaching staff and paraprofessional shortage, NBISD must address the needs of the special education program. The pandemic has highlighted the underfunded and understaffed needs of this department.
How should NBISD handle growth within the district?
NBISD should be taking a proactive approach instead of a reactive approach. NBISD needs to work alongside city leaders for continual monitoring of new master-plan communities and plans for multifamily housing developments, within the school district boundaries, in order to evaluate their impact to existing schools and needs for building expansion. NBISD needs to ensure that land has been/will be acquired to handle any future building needs. Along with making certain NBISD has the land and buildings needed to handle the influx of students, we need to remember to account for administrators and staff to handle the growth.
Keith Smith
Experience:
28 years
Occupation:
general contractor
What would be your top priorities if you are elected?
To continue to push for transparency and effective communication from the district to the students, parents and taxpayers. To work to ensure that students are receiving an education that prepares them for the workforce. And to work to ensure that the district is fiscally sound to be able to provide for the success of the students and the growth of the district.
How should NBISD handle growth within the district?
Everyone invested in the district (students, parents, staff and taxpayers) need to provide input and support to the new superintendent for him to build and implement a strategic plan that ensures student success. Community involvement is essential for that success. We have a higher chance for success when the community comes together to provide and equip the most qualified teachers, provide a safe and stable environment for learning, and provide opportunities for the future of our students.
Morgan Armitage-Renaud
Experience:
early childhood ministry teacher, eight previous years in management positions, BA in communication
Occupation:
early childhood and adult ministry coordinator
Contact Information:
210-791-2113, [email protected]
What would be your top priorities if you are elected?
My top priorities if elected are to focus on the immediate support for and of our students and our teachers. Do our teachers feel supported? What are their immediate concerns and needs in their classrooms? Our students spend more time at school than home during the week. They deserve the best education in a place where they feel safe, supported and inspired to reach their goals. As parents, we deserve that peace of mind for them as well.
How should NBISD handle growth within the district?
I attended the NBISD Ambassador program in 2019, and it was apparent then that the district knew the growth was happening at an unprecedented rate. No matter which side of the aisle you fall on in regard to the growth, we can't halt it from happening now that it is here. We can respond and prepare for it accurately. We can ensure our infrastructure is in place to support it, especially as a school district.
