Updated at 9:24 p.m. May 7
Incumbent Merideth Keller has defeated challenger Jonanna Mikulenka in the race for the District 4 seat on the Hays CISD board of trustees, according to unofficial results. Keller received 525 votes, representing 80.52 percent of the total, and Mikulenka received 127 votes, representing 19.48 percent of the total, with all precincts reporting.
In the District 5 race, Esperanza Orosco has defeated Priscilla Harrell, according to unofficial results. Orosco received 345 votes, representing 62.61 percent of the total, and Harrell received 206 votes, representing 37.39 percent of the total.
Orosco said this was the first time a teacher had been elected to the HCISD board of trustees.
“We’re very excited about not only being the first time having a teacher on the school board, but an advocate for the employee association," she said. "This is a double win not only for our staff [but also for] our teachers union.”
Orosco said she has attended more than 100 school board meetings, so she will be ready to "hit the ground running" when she begins her term.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Posted at 7:34 p.m. May 7
Incumbent Merideth Keller leads challenger Jonanna Mikulenka in the race for the District 4 seat on the Hays CISD board of trustees, according to May 7 early voting returns. Keller has secured 290 total votes, representing 75.72 percent of the total, and Mikulenka has received 93 total votes, representing 24.28 percent of the total.
Esperanza Orsoco is leading Priscilla Harrell in the race for the District 5 seat on the HCISD board of trustees, according to early voting returns. Orosco has gotten 244 total votes, representing 63.21 percent of the total, and Harrell has received 142 votes, representing 36.79 percent of the total.
District 4
Keller said she wants to increase parent and community involvement in the district’s affairs if she is elected to another term.
“That's very kind of our community to put their faith in me,” she said. "I'm pleased with the results, but it's not to my credit. It's to the community's credit, because that's what we are here."
Mikulenka said if she was elected she would improve the financial oversight of the district. Mikulenka oversees the finances of a publicly traded company, she said, and that experience has prepared her to serve on the board.
District 5
Orosco, a former teacher and past president of Hays Educators Association, said she hopes to focus on recruitment and retention of highly qualified teachers if she is elected.
“I feel really good about where we're at," Orosco said. "Anything can happen, so we're not taking anything for granted. We stuck to the issues. I'm extremely qualified for the position and I think that's resonated with voters."
Orosco said she was encouraged by the number of teachers she saw at the polls.
She said voters she spoke to were concerned about the rapid growth in the district, college-readiness and how the district deals with students with behavioral issues.
Harrell has previously served as a PTA chair, president and treasurer of the Lehman High School Dance Booster Club, and as a member of the HCISD leadership team.
She said she hopes to “focus on early and higher-level education” if elected.
“Hopefully my election day votes today pass her,” she said. "I'm just going to have to beat her there on election day votes."
Current district 5 trustee Marty Kanetzky is not seeking re-election.
The winner of each race will serve a three-year term.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
