Frisco ISD's Gillespie named to TASB Region 10A post

Debbie Gillespie, a Frisco ISD board of trustees member, has been elected to the Texas Association of School Boards, representing Region 10A.

Gillespie was elected to serve the rest of a one-year, unfinished term and will have the opportunity to earn the nomination for a three-year term beginning in September 2015.

"My first orientation will be in December, so I am not totally sure what to expect," Gillespie said. "I will say that I love supporting students and staff in FISD as a school board trustee. The TASB board position will not only help me grow and learn as a local trustee, but I will be able to represent and advocate for Frisco ISD while also advocating for public education and every child in Texas."

Gillespie has been on the Frisco ISD board for three years and is the current board secretary. She has a degree from Southwest Texas State University and worked for Dell Inc. before moving to Frisco and becoming a full-time mom and community volunteer.

Among various community activities, Gillespie has held the following positions: PTA board officer, 2001–09; PTO board member and board officer, 2005–07; PTO board president, 2007–10; National Charity League, 2005–12; National Charity League board officer, 2008–12; Young Men's Service League, 2010–14; Young Men's Service League board officer, 2011–13; Frisco Family Services Center volunteer and two-year board member; Frisco High School band booster officer, 2007–13; neighborhood association village representative for 13 years; and Frisco ISD Council of PTA's legislative chairwoman 2012–14. She is a class of 2014 Leadership TASB graduate and a member of the LTASB Alumni Association.

TASB is a nonprofit association established in 1949 to serve local public school districts. School board members are the largest group of publicly elected officials in the state. The districts they represent serve approximately 5 million students.