Local · Trusted · Free
The Morning Impact — your neighborhood's most important stories, delivered every morning.
Bryan ISD voters will decide between Chris Cartwright and David Sessum on Nov. 3 in the race for the District 2 seat. Incumbent Julie Harlin-Wolf is not seeking reelection.
Early voting runs from Oct. 19 to Oct. 30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.
The last day to register to vote is Oct. 5.
For more information on voting and polling locations, visit the Brazos County Elections Administration's website. For more election coverage, visit www.communityimpact.com.
Candidates were asked to keep Q&A responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines or for style and clarity.
Why are you running for the BISD school board?
Some of life's greatest gifts and most precious rewards come from serving others, and putting our children first matters. I want to help strengthen accountability, uphold higher expectations, support our educators, and ensure every decision keeps student success at the center. Our children deserve strong leadership and brighter futures.
What are BISD's top needs?
Stronger academic achievement for all, higher standards, accountable leadership, teacher recruitment and retention, student safety, and responsible financial stewardship. We must elevate outcomes in athletics, fine arts, and CTE programs, strengthen student outcomes, and ensure every taxpayer dollar is used to achieve the best possible outcome for every student.
What would you do to improve student learning and outcomes?
Focus on strong academic standards, measurable goals, and accountability for results. I would support teachers with the resources and professional development they need, identify struggling students early, and expand effective tutoring and intervention. Most importantly, I would ensure decisions remain student-centered, data-driven, and focused on helping every child succeed.
What are your budget priorities and how should the district respond to declining enrollment/revenue?
Declining enrollment and revenues require us to be proactive, not reactive. I would prioritize academics, teachers, and student safety, while reviewing programs and spending for effectiveness. We should seek efficiencies and engage our community for support and partnerships to achieve our desired outcomes collectively. Successful BISD means a successful community.
How will you ensure students with different needs and backgrounds have opportunities to succeed?
Every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of background or individual needs. I will support strong instruction, early identification of challenges, appropriate resources, and meaningful family engagement by maintaining high standards while providing support students need to achieve them. "We must" create a culture where every child can thrive.
Program Manager, Veterinary Science Certificate Program at Texas A&M
Why are you running for BISD school board?
I have three children. I attended PTO meetings and became an involved parent. Through all of this involvement and for the future of the students of BISD, I decided to run for this position. I believe that I can be an asset through my experience in CTE education and leadership.
What are BISD's top needs?
Retaining and employing staff. Funding for public education is drastically cut every year and the state adds mandates for things without providing funding. For years, BISD has been fiscally conservative, but with many funding cuts, BISD needs to be working to retain staff to remain competitive with surrounding school districts.
What would you do to improve student learning and outcomes?
Typically the strength of your outcomes is directly affected by a strong curriculum. BISD has personnel to assist teachers ensuring completion of TEKS and implementing core curriculum. BISD's scores and academics improving reflect curriculum and leadership. This needs to be supported so that trends continue in a positive direction.
What are your budget priorities and how should the district respond to declining enrollment/revenue?
My budget priorities are retaining staff and teachers with market value compensation. The recently passed bond allows for building and facility improvement, but bond money cannot be used for maintenance and operations. The priority now needs to shift to retaining and attracting the most talented staff to assist BISD students.
How will you ensure students with different needs and backgrounds have opportunities to succeed?
I fully embrace BISD's motto of Children First. Always. I would work to improve parent engagement and community partnerships. BISD also has an excellent track record with CTE education. If elected, I would work to offer support systems and work with students to define what success looks like to them.
