The details
Place 4 trustee Ritchie Deffenbaugh chose not to run for re-election this year. Deffenbaugh has been on the school board since 2018 and won election in 2021 with over 64% of the vote, according to district documents.
Two candidates are vying for Deffenbaugh’s spot: loan officer Rich McDowell and Joshua Pezzuto, entrepreneur and Place 2 Planning and Zoning Commission member for the town of Northlake.
Election day is May 4. Early voting will take place April 22-30 and will be conducted at the Denton County Elections Administration building off Kimberly Drive in Denton. Mail-in votes must be sent to a Denton County Elections Administrator at the same address off Kimberly Drive, according to district documents.
The Denton County Elections Administration building will also serve as the polling location on election day and will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Those voting by mail must send their ballots to the elections office 11 days prior to election day for them to be counted, according to district documents.
Community Impact surveyed candidates prior to the election. Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words. Answers may have been edited to comply with word count guidelines or for style and clarity. Community Impact only surveyed candidates in contested May 4 elections.
Rich McDowell
Experience:
Served on various district committees and I am a proud Argyle ISD parent.
Occupation:
Loan officer
Candidate Website:
https://www.facebook.com/richmcdowell.for.argyle.isd.school.board
Contact Information:
214-228-4114
Why are you running for office?
One of my platforms is that I believe in the team of 8 concept and that the board of trustees should operate as a high-functioning group who governs the district and supports the managerial role of the superintendent. I am running to become a part of a team of people who work …
What are the biggest challenges facing the district?
School finance is a challenge facing Argyle ISD. The district, like all other districts in Texas, will be facing a budget cut for the 2024-2025 school year because of no rate of increase in the basic allotment since 2019. As someone who feels comfortable with finance and growth, I want to …
If elected, what would be your top priorities?
To ensure that the 10-year strategic growth plan is implemented and executed. I believe in the 10-year strategic growth plan and how it is designed to provide the best student experience in our district that covers over 35 square miles and is within five municipalities.
What are some new ideas or programs you would like AISD to explore?
With our fast-growing district I want to ensure that all students find their place. I want to help the teachers to know the names and needs of each child they teach.
Why should I vote for you if I were in your district?
The platform I am running on speaks for itself. I want to ensure that the board remains highly functioning, that the 10-year strategic growth plan is followed, and that we have solid solutions for school finance are they are implemented. All these items circle back to the students ensuring that they are …
Joshua Pezzuto
Experience:
The questionnaire was not returned by the deadline.
Occupation:
The questionnaire was not returned by the deadline.
Why are you running for office?
The questionnaire was not returned by the deadline.
What are the biggest challenges facing the district?
The questionnaire was not returned by the deadline.
If elected, what would be your top priorities?
The questionnaire was not returned by the deadline.
What are some new ideas or programs you would like AISD to explore?
The questionnaire was not returned by the deadline.
Why should I vote for you if I were in your district?
The questionnaire was not returned by the deadline.
