Candidates were asked to keep their responses under 75 words, answer the provided questions and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut for space, style and/or clarity.
* indicates incumbent
Find your local polling location below:
Margie T. Villalpando*
Experience:
sdministrative assistant, Price Center, San Marcos Hispanic Chamber; Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, founding member; Martindale city secretary; Hays County clerk
Occupation:
retired
Candidate Website:
N/A
Contact Information:
N/A
What are your top three priorities if elected?
1. Inform the voters of the importance of our SMCISD bond. <br>2. Work with the school board to complete our Team of Eight training.<br>3. Encourage new board members to take advantage of the learning opportunities provided by the Texas School Board Association and the Mexican American School Board Association.
How should San Marcos CISD handle continued growth in the district?
The Bond Committee and the SMICSD board voted to have a bond election that addresses the expected growth for SMCISD.
What would you do specifically as a trustee to involve residents and business owners in decision-making processes?
The only time specifically a trustee can involve residents and/or business owners in decision-making processes is when we have SMCISD committees for a specific purpose. Each trustee is assigned a number of citizens they can appoint to the committee. The SMCISD president appoints the head of the committee.
Kevin Carswell
Experience:
35 years management; San Marcos Chamber of Commerce board
Occupation:
owner and operator of Mochas & Javas
Candidate Website:
www.votekevinplace2.com
Contact Information:
512-757-9444
What are your top three priorities if elected?
Back to the basics in education. Improve students’ skills in the following: English language, the STEAM fields, vocational studies, and accounting/nance. Attract and retain quality teachers. Five-year vision/goal plan for growth in the district and revisit every five years to update based on our historical data.
How should San Marcos CISD handle continued growth in the district?
First San Marcos will continue to grow. I believe adding another high school [would] allow for this growth. We have nine elementary schools, two middle schools, and I believe we need another high school.
What would you do specifically as a trustee to involve residents and business owners in decision-making processes?
Residents and business owners do have a say in the decision-making process, and that is through voting. As a resident or business owner look at the score card for our district and if happy with the results, then no change is needed. If you believe we need change then vote.
