The seat has been vacant since Hannah Smith resigned from the position last year after moving out of the area. The board has only been fully staffed for two or three months over the last three years, board President Cameron Bryan said.
“We are super happy that we now have a full seven on our board,” Bryan said.
The details
The board voted to fill the vacancy and canceled the May election after no other candidates declared their intention to run by the Feb. 16 cutoff date, according to district documents. Bottom and Bryan took Places 5 and 4, respectively.
Bottom has worked to develop a long-term strategy amid the district’s fiscal battle by building relationships with members of the Texas House and Senate Public Education Committees and testifying on funding bills, according to her campaign website.
“I am honored to serve this incredible community, and look forward to representing the families of Southlake. My sleeves are rolled up and I’m ready to get to work,” she said in a social media post.
Next steps
Both Bottom and Bryan will be sworn in again at a post-elections board meeting in May. The unopposed candidates will receive their certificates at the meeting, according to district documents.
“I want to congratulate trustee Bottom on her appointment and the fact that she's willing to just go ahead and jump in and start swimming,” Bryan said.
