Candidates were asked to keep responses under 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.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
*indicates incumbent
Elaine Bonavita
Experience:
Degreed Substitute Teacher School Board Member-at-large City Councilor-at-large Sponsor Statewide/Countywide Ballot Propositions: adopted
Occupation:
RISD Degreed Permanent Substitute Teacher (retired)
Candidate Website:
www.facebook.com/alayna.bonavita
Contact Information:
N/A
Why are you running?
To stay involved as a conservative voice in the decision making process, respecting parental rights allowing families to have a greater say in their children’s values-based education and consolidation issues from school closings. I will use my school-based experience promoting unity to help restore trust in parental involvement.
What are the biggest issues facing Richardson ISD?
Violence and bullying in the classroom are key contributing factors in declining enrollment and teacher shortages. Teacher polls show discipline as the number one problem. Inadequate funding is blamed for not retaining quality teachers. Consolidation and merging into other schools due to closing campuses will be an ongoing challenge.
How do you plan on addressing these issues?
I will meet with parents and teachers expressing differing views to share in board workshops. For unresolved divisive issues, where Trustees lack authority, I will draw on my law background supporting ballot measures, as I have sponsored successfully in the past, giving everyone a voice and constitutional right to vote.
What will your top priorities be if elected?
Boost enrollment, parental involvement, incentives for retaining/attracting qualified teachers, identify spending problems and work to implement innovative strategies to fix discipline issues in the classroom. Meet with Superintendent and educators to stay informed on current and future district plans for actionable solutions to make RISD grow again.
Pamela Hughes
Experience:
PTA Board/Member (Yale/Dartmouth Elementaries); Leadership Richardson; Council Chair, First UMC Richardson; RISD Ambassador
Occupation:
Director of Communications, Horizon Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church
Candidate Website:
www.hughesforrisd.com
Contact Information:
972-372-4543
Why are you running?
As public education becomes increasingly politicized, I am running to provide nonpartisan leadership, prioritize student outcomes over ideology, and build community trust through open dialogue. By fostering relationships across District 2 and strengthening connections between neighbors and RISD leadership, I will ensure decisions reflect community needs and serve all students.
What are the biggest issues facing Richardson ISD?
RISD continues to face declining enrollment and its financial impact, forcing discussions on school closures, building efficiency, inter-district transfers and tax rate adjustments. These conversations all stem from the same challenge: how do we close achievement gaps and educate all students at a high level—even as resources shrink.
How do you plan on addressing these issues?
Every decision must prioritize student success. I will support the district in data-driven strategies to accelerate progress toward RISD’s 2027 achievement goals, attracting resident families and inter-district transfers alike. By supporting evidence-backed initiatives, we can improve student outcomes, strengthen district appeal, and maximize resources to serve all students equitably.
What will your top priorities be if you are elected?
I’ll focus on closing achievement gaps—especially for students of color and economically disadvantaged students, enhancing two-way communication with all district stakeholders, and clarifying a student-first vision to carry RISD into the future. Monitoring and aligning resources with student success will create a stronger district that supports every learner’s potential.
Vanessa Pacheco*
Experience:
Board Trustee 2022-present, Parent of RISD gradutes, Active with PTAs and Community Orgnizations
Occupation:
Law Firm Chief Operations Office
Candidate Website:
www.pacheco4risd.com/
Contact Information:
915-667-0954
Why are you running?
Public schools are why I had a chance to succeed, and I am strongly committed to making sure our students have the same opportunities I had. As your Trustee, I will keep our District focused on our common sense goal of ensuring every student can achieve an excellent outcome.
What are the biggest issues facing Richardson?
The biggest issue facing our District is the severe underfunding from the State. I've supported measures to safeguard our students from the negative consequences of significant state budget shortfalls. I've also strongly advocated to state leaders to prioritize fully funding our needs and higher pay for teachers and staff.
How do you plan on addressing these issues?
I am proud to have supported raising pay for our teachers, creating child care programs, adopting a parental leave policy, and other retention measures. Additionally, I've fought to protect the programs offered to students and ensure that we're doing everything we can to meet the needs of every student.
What will your top priorities be if you are elected?
I will never back down from the fight for our public schools, even with new challenges on the horizon. I will continue to loudly advocate for better funding, support pay raises for our educators, keep RISD focused on raising student performance, and making fiscally responsible decisions for the future.
