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There are two candidates running for the vacant Denton ISD board of trustees Place 6 position in the upcoming May 2 election
The details
Greg Petolick and Vicki Byrd are both running for the position after Lori Tays resigned in January due to health concerns.
Byrd is currently the District 1 council member on Denton City Council, while Petolick is an accounting professor at Southern Methodist University.
Candidates were asked to keep their responses under 50 words, answer the provided questions, and avoid attacking their opponents. Answers may have been minimally edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Looking ahead
April 2 is the last day to register to vote in the May 2 election, and early voting is scheduled for April 20-28. Voter information can be found through the Texas Secretary of State website.
Editor's note: this article was updated to include Greg Petolick's responses.
SMU adjunct professor, retired EY managing director, DISD volunteer with deep finance and education experience.
Why are you running for office?
I’m running to ensure Denton ISD remains a district where students thrive, teachers want to stay and families feel confident in their schools. With experience in data, finance and community leadership, I want to help guide thoughtful, student-centered decisions that honor our legacy and prepare for the future.
What are the biggest challenges facing the district?
Rapid growth, teacher recruitment and retention and maintaining high-quality student outcomes are key challenges. We must balance financial pressures with competitive compensation, ensure safe and welcoming schools and prepare students for college, careers, the trades or military (CCMR) service while meeting increasing expectations placed on public education.
How do you plan to address these issues?
I will focus on data-driven decisions, strong financial stewardship and building partnerships across the community. That includes prioritizing competitive compensation, supporting teachers, using analytics to improve outcomes and ensuring resources are aligned to student needs while maintaining transparency and trust with taxpayers.
What would your top priorities be if you are elected?
My top priorities are improving teacher recruitment and retention, strengthening CCMR- aligned student outcomes, ensuring safe and welcoming schools and maintaining strong financial stewardship. We must also prepare students to thrive in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world shaped by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
retired; Denton ISD special education educator, former law enforcement officer, risk management/safety coordinator, nonprofit …
Why are you running for office?
I’m running because every chapter of my career—law enforcement, emergency management, occupational safety, special education, city leadership and nonprofit service—has centered on protecting and supporting people. That experience shows me how schools shape the strength, safety and future of a community.
What are the biggest challenges facing the district?
The biggest challenge is the unfunded mandates, persistent academic gaps on several campuses and the pressure created by state accountability ratings, which has placed multiple elementary schools on targeted improvement or turnaround plans. This is amplified by the district’s budget constraints and rapid growth, making improvements urgent and resource intensive.
How do you plan to address these issues?
By supporting academic interventions that use data to identify gaps and provide direct support to students who need it most. Ensuring principals and teachers have strong coaching, training and resources aligned with already proven strategies. Stabilize staffing, expectations and campus culture so students experience a predictable, supportive environment every day.
What would your top priorities be if you are elected?
My priorities are standing firm on local priorities and student needs, advocating for local control through collaboration, protecting teachers and students from unfunded or unworkable mandates, keeping families informed and engaged and maintaining a steady, nonpartisan focus on education.
