Within the race for Hutto ISD, there are six candidates running for three spots for the at-large board. The top three vote-getters will take spots for the three candidates whose terms end in May—Terrence Owens, Billie Logiudice and Morgan Hubbard. Hubbard is not running again, but Owens and Logiudice are running against challengers Ashley McCombs, Jason McCombs, Stevie Jones and Shannon Jacobs.
The interviews in the question and answer section of this voter guide have been edited for length and clarity.
Also included in this May voter guide are important dates to know, voter turnout histories for key elections years in Travis and Williamson counties and a sample ballot of all the other candidates running in local races in Hutto and Pflugerville.
Dates to Know
April 25: First day of early voting
April 26: Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked)
May 3: Last day of early voting
May 7: Election day
May 7: Last day to receive ballot by mail (or May 9 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election)
Sample Ballot
*denotes incumbent
PfISD board of trustees, Place 3
-Renae Mitchell*
-Pat McCord
PfISD board of trustees, Place 4
-Vernagene Mott*
-Corbin Black
PfISD board of trustees, Place 5
-Brian Allen*
-Alissa Molina
Hutto mayor
-Mike Snyder*
-Mandi Villarreal Salvo
Hutto City Council, Place 3
-Ida Weaver
-Randal Clark
Hutto City Council, Place 6
-Amberley Kolar
-Nicole Calderone
Hutto ISD board of trustees
-Billie Logiudice*
-Terrence Owens*
-Ashley McCombs
-Jason McCombs
-Shannon Jacobs
-Stevie Jones
Voter Turnout
Williamson County
2012 presidential: 64.62% / 164,579 turnout / 254,688 registered voters
2014 gubernatorial: 38.31% / 104,464 turnout / 272,649 registered voters
2016 presidential: 67.10% / 205,862 turnout / 306,811 registered voters
2018 gubernatorial: 62.25% / 209,257 turnout / 336,148 registered voters
2020 presidential: 75.64% / 291,251 turnout / 385,065 registered voters
Travis County
2012 presidential: 61.66% / 391,708 turnout / 635,300 registered voters
2014 gubernatorial: 41.38% / 270,005 turnout / 652,463 registered voters
2016 presidential: 65.24% / 477,588 turnout / 732,037 registered voters
2018 gubernatorial: 61.78% / 486,616 turnout / 787,670 registered voters
2020 presidential: 71.06% / 612,696 turnout / 862,163 registered voters
Billie Logiudice
Experience:
I have a Bachelors of Art in Education. I am currently a participant in Leadership of Texas Association of School Boards. I have 20 years of non-profit service experience, including leadership positions on several boards.
Occupation:
Executive director with The Sandbox at Madeline's Place
Contact Information:
Phone number: 512.818.7993rnemail: [email protected]
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
I will balance our fast growth while maintaining fiscal responsibility and societal demands. I will augment community engagement through communications and committee involvement to increase awareness and build on transparency and trust. I will improve student outcomes and opportunities through accountability and innovation while addressing social and emotional wellbeing.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I have served the Hutto community in a variety of ways over the last 20-plus years, specifically as a Hutto ISD trustee for the last 12 years. I have helped see the district through the economic downturn, making difficult decisions to continue serving students while maintaining a shrinking budget. I have also been a part of the city’s incredibly fast growth and helped meet the challenges that come with serving students, while building buildings and recruiting and retaining staff.
Terrence Owens
Experience:
I am in my sixth year as a board trustee for Hutto ISD. As a trustee I have earned over 200 hours of continued education on student outcomes, social emotional learning and achieving gaps. I also have 30 years in the healthcare profession as a home health therapist and am currently serving Williamson County.
Occupation:
Licensed physical therapist assistant
Contact Information:
email: [email protected]
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
I will continue to improve transparency to the community district wide and continue to make myself available for one-on-one conversations. It's very important to me to be approachable and to listen. I will continue to manage the budget, provide a quality education for the 9,000 students in our district and advocate for school finance reform at the legislative level. Being designated as a Fast Growth District comes with many issues that will need to be addressed, from increased enrollment to new facilities.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
My experience over the past 6 years as a trustee qualifies me, as well as my 22 years as a resident of Hutto and servant leader in my community. The network of trustees across the state that I have built allows me to tap into a group of dedicated servant leaders who support public education and provide me with insight.
Ashley McCombs
Experience:
I am a former substitute teacher at Austin ISD and a former Pre-K teacher. I served on a PTA fundraiser committee and served as president of the Williamson County Republican Women. I am a ministry student with Celebration Leadership Institute and a Christian life coach with Celebration Church. I am a former marketing manager for Clearchannel Radio.
Occupation:
President of political organization, ministry student, full-time mom of six
Candidate Website:
https://mccombsforhuttoisd.godaddysites.com/
Contact Information:
email: [email protected]
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
My main priorities are teachers' well-being and compensation, as well as our students' well-being. I will focus on education and career fundamentals, transparency for our parents, students and staff.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
As a mother of six, I have an understanding of a parent’s need to have open communication and positive leadership on the local school board. I lend a conventional and steady perspective to educational issues. I am committed to quality education for public school students.
Jason McCombs
Experience:
I was the executive director of several assisted living facilities.
Occupation:
Director of operations, Top Dog Roofing
Candidate Website:
https://mccombsforhuttoisd.godaddysites.com/
Contact Information:
email: [email protected]
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
My top priorities if I am elected are to become familiar with the day to day, weekly and monthly operations of the board. I will familiarize myself with the fiscal budget, work on the relationship between the board and the Hutto City Council and gain a better perspective on what is working well and what needs the most attention so that the families and children of Hutto ISD can maximize their potential in our district.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
My career has set me up to be able to work hand in hand with any individual to overcome adversity and create growth. My ability to bring people from all backgrounds together as one unit working toward set goals has helped me excel in my professional and personal life. I look forward to bringing my unique way of thinking to the board.
Shannon Jacobs
Experience:
I've served on various PTAu2019s, committees and athletics boards, including as soccer club president for four years serving over 1,100 children. I am a mother of six kids in Hutto ISD. Iu2019ve also been a very active parent in our district volunteering and serving.
Occupation:
Realtor
Contact Information:
email: [email protected]
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
Transparency and communication are my top priorities. We need to do better as a district to share our budget and spending with our parents and stakeholders. I feel we as a district need to make a huge effort in the coming years to establish a better level of communication with our community.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
As a mother of six I have seen our district from all grade levels. I’ve been able to serve at multiple levels and see the programs and interests of many different students. Because of this, I feel I offer a unique perspective and bring a new voice to the table. I’ve been heavily involved in our district since 2015. I’m a realtor in our community, and I have a first-hand view of the growth we are facing as a district. I’m a level-headed, common sense mom who’s ready to take on this challenge and step up for my community.
Stevie Jones
Experience:
11 years of teaching early education, currently work in finance
Occupation:
Residential mortgage loan originator
Contact Information:
email: [email protected]
What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
My top priorities will be transparency and accountability. We must get better at answering questions and concerns where the education, safety and future of our students are concerned. We need to find better ways for everyone to be informed and up to date on the events of the district.
What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I am a lifetime Hutto resident and second-generation Hutto ISD graduate. I am a longtime advocate for quality education for all. My fight began right here as a senior in Hutto High School. I believe that every student is deserving of not just quality education, but the best education. I have watched my old schools grow and develop some of the most amazing programs available to students. I will continue to advocate for every student to have the tools to become whatever they desire and accomplish their goals and dreams.
