With all voting centers reporting, Spring ISD board Position 1 incumbent Deborah Jensen won with 64.98%, or 5,007 votes, while challenger Mechelle Epps received 35.02%, or 2,699 votes.
"I am deeply grateful to have the opportunity to serve on the Spring ISD board of trustees for another term," Jensen said in an email. "My own priorities are enhancing academics, keeping schools safe, supporting teachers to be instructional leaders and maximizing the impact of taxpayer money."
Jensen added that in speaking with voters throughout the campaign, she realized many community members were unaware of some of the positive changes she said had recently taken place in the district.
"I also realized that some of the problems in our school district do not surface until there is an election and we have the opportunity for one-on-one conversations with voters," she said. "I am making a personal commitment in my upcoming term to increase my community contact to include issue-oriented forums throughout our school district. No one can know everything and do everything, but I believe that as a team, we will accomplish our goals."
Likewise, Position 3 incumbent Justine Durant won with 48.17%, or 3,772 votes, while challengers John Lopez received 28.11%, or 2,201 votes, and Ernest "Saul" Thomas received 23.72%, or 1,857 votes.
"I am extremely excited and grateful for the Spring community's support of my re-election," Durant said in an email. "I am looking forward to getting down to working with a focus on student achievement and safety, teacher retention and development, while addressing opportunities with our paraprofessional staff. I am proud of the many accomplishments during my time on the board, however, there is still lots of work to accomplish."
Running unopposed, newcomer Kelly P. Hodges won Position 2 with 100%, or 6,710 votes.
"I am looking forward to working with our team of trustees, which now includes a new member, Kelly P. Hodges," Jensen said. "We are a diverse team that does not always agree, but we are united in our work for SISD students."
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Updated Nov. 6, 8:37 a.m.
With 754 of 757 voting centers reporting, two Spring ISD incumbents have solidified their seats on the board of trustees.
Position 1 incumbent Deborah Jensen received 64.97%, or 5,004 votes, while challenger Mechelle Epps received 35.03%, or 2,698 votes.
Position 3 incumbent Justine Durant earned 48.2%, or 3,772 votes, while challengers John Lopez earned 28.11%, or 2,200 votes, and Ernest "Saul" Thomas earned 23.69%, or 1,854 votes.
Newcomer Kelly P. Hodges, who is running unopposed for Position 2, earned 100%, or 6,706 votes.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Updated Nov. 5, 11 p.m.
Two incumbents maintain commanding leads for contested Spring ISD board races on election night, but Election Day votes from Harris County remain uncounted.
With 58 of 757 voting centers reporting, Position 1 incumbent Deborah Jensen continues to lead with 66.31%, or 1,884 votes, while challenger Mechelle Epps has received 33.69%, or 957 votes.
Precinct 3 incumbent Justine Durant continues to lead with 49.15%, or 1,423 votes, while challengers John Lopez has received 26.74%, or 774 votes, and Ernest "Saul" Thomas has received 24.11%, or 698 votes.
Kelly P. Hodges, who is running uncontested for Position 2, has received 100%, or 2,462 votes.
As of 11 p.m. election night Nov. 5, fewer than 60 of Harris County’s voting centers reported election results.
A statement from Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman on Nov. 1 warned of slow returns but declined to give a definitive timeline. A recent change in reporting procedure requirements from Texas Secretary of State was anticipated to cause delays, Trautman said.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Posted Nov. 5, 7:21 p.m.
Early voting results show incumbents taking an early lead as six candidates are vying for three positions on the Spring ISD board of trustees in the Nov. 5 election. Early voting results include absentee votes.
In the race for Position 1, incumbent Deborah Jensen received 66.5%, or 1,733 votes, while challenger Mechelle Epps received 33.5%, or 873 votes. Jensen was first elected to the board in 2010 and was re-elected in 2013 and 2016.
In the race for Position 3, incumbent Justine Durant received 48.97%, or 1,302 votes, while challengers Earnest "Saul" Thomas received 24.03%, or 639 votes, and John Lopez received 27%, or 718 votes. Durant was first appointed to fill a vacancy on the board in November 2006 and was first elected to the board in 2007. She was re-elected in 2010, 2013 and 2016.
Newcomer Kelly P. Hodges, who is running uncontested for Position 2, received 100%, or 2,252 votes. Chris Bell, who currently serves as the Position 2 trustee, was first elected to the board in 2013 and was re-elected in 2016. He is not seeking re-election this year.
SISD trustees serve three-year terms. For more information about the SISD board of trustees, click here.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
