Carol Hamilton has joined the race to fill Position 3 on the Conroe Independent School District board of trustees. Hamilton joins Jason Millsaps and Stephen Hubert in the Position 3 race.

Hamilton touted her 35-year teaching experience as her strength as a candidate to replace former board member C.J. Haynes. Haynes resigned from the board earlier this year.

Hamilton said her experience in the classroom would bring a different perspective to the board as she encourages continuing to model curriculum beyond the STAAR test. Providing vocational resources for students who are not planning to attend a four-year college or university is a priority as well, Hamilton said.

"We have to look at our future and deviate and put [in] some other avenues so we can reach more kids who choose not to pursue [four years of college]," she said. "We need to provide them the training with specialized areas and vocational help."

Hamilton said she also hopes to work with Superintendent Don Stockton to maintain district reserve funds in case of emergencies.

"We need those reserves for emergencies," Hamilton said. "[Stockton] is being very business-oriented by thinking about the children and thinking about the staff."

Hamilton owns and manages Young Einsteins Math and Science Academy in Spring after moving to the Conroe area in 2006. She retired from Aldine ISD after working between Dallas-ISD and Galveston ISD for 35 years.

Kim LeJeune, who originally filed to run for Position 3, switched Aug. 18 to join the race for Position 1 alongside Melanie Bush. Mel Brown holds Position 1 and has not filed to run as of the Aug. 18 deadline.

Ray Sanders, who holds Position 2, is running unopposed as of Aug. 18.