SAN MARCOS CISD AT LARGE
Adam Gonzalez
Adam Gonzalez, a 22-year-old Texas State University student, said his age and recent experience with public schools will allow him to relate to the students of the district. Gonzalez said he believes finances are the biggest challenge facing the district, which needs to accommodate growth without asking taxpayers to foot the bill.
Adam Gonzalez[/caption]Why are you running for a seat on the San Marcos CISD board of trustees?
Throughout my life I’ve been deeply involved in community service. I have a passion for sharing my time, talents and experiences to serve my community. I recognize our district has its challenges, and I believe in working with the community to better our schools. We need to create stronger ties between school board trustees and their constituents. I want to draw more involvement from teachers and parents. Together we can improve the quality of education for current and future students.
Anne Halsey
Anne Halsey has lived in San Marcos since 2010, and two of her children are in the district’s schools. Her youngest child is preparing to enter kindergarten in the fall. Previously Halsey has served on the board of directors for the Presbyterian Parent Cooperative Preschool. She was also recently appointed to the San Marcos Historical Preservation Commission.
Why are you running for a seat on the San Marcos CISD board of trustees?
Anne Halsey[/caption]I am running for the San Marcos CISD board of trustees because I believe public schools are the backbone of any healthy community. I want to stand up for my fellow parents, neighbors, and taxpayers invested in the future of SMCISD and bring a fresh perspective and common-sense voice to the board. I’m originally from Iowa, where my dad was a public school teacher and my mother was a public school nurse. I’m a proud product of—and champion for—public schools.
Toby Hooper
Toby Hooper is a former teacher who has lived in the district for 13 years. Hooper said his experience as a nonprofit organization board member, a former educator and a health care professional make him uniquely qualified for the board of trustees. Hooper said without the proper leadership, the district cannot transition to a higher level.
Toby Hooper[/caption]Why are you running for a seat on the San Marcos CISD board of trustees?
The district’s quality has progressed and is now at a transition point to elevate higher. I want to help make that transition happen. We must not lose this opportunity to move forward. Therefore we must have board members with valuable insight and experience. As a health care professional I’ve seen great transformational change and played an active role in its successful implementation. I want to bring that type of perspective and experience to the district leadership.
John McGlothlin
John McGlothlin is an alumnus of San Marcos High School, which he said gives him a unique level of experience in dealing with the challenges the district faces. He said there are too many things getting in the way of teacher-student connections, and smaller class sizes may be the solution. He said he has four children who are attending or will attend San Marcos High School.
John McGlothlin[/caption]Why are you running for a seat on the San Marcos CISD board of trustees?
I am running for the school board because there are 7,500 kids in our schools right now who cannot wait three more years for leaders focused on giving them the education that they deserve. Our schools have been making slow, steady progress forward, but kids are slipping through the cracks into joblessness, poverty and worse. As our district has inched forward, the world has become much more competitive. Our kids now have to compete for jobs with others in our state, and kids from across the country and the world.
Mike Occhialini
Mike Occhialini said his family has lived in the district for 23 years. They home-schooled their sons for five years. His children have all graduated high school, and he said this will allow him to be an impartial board member if elected. Occhialini said now is the time to focus on improving academic performance throughout the district.
Mike Occhialini[/caption]Why are you running for a seat on the San Marcos CISD board of trustees?
For me this election means more than mere victory or defeat. I hope to raise awareness, improve involvement and promote community ownership of our schools. It is time to stop throwing money at our problems and return to the basic values of education that empower people to improve their lives and those of their families. The students in our schools are the next generation of doctors, lawyers, engineers and soldiers. We have the responsibility to prepare our students to face the challenges of life and make a contribution to society.
SAN MARCOS CISD DISTRICT 1
Juan Miguel Arredondo
Juan Miguel Arredondo said he is a fifth-generation San Marcos native “and a proud product of San Marcos CISD.” Arredondo said the district should raise expectations without overspending or wasting taxpayers’ money. Arredondo said he plans to be an advocate for academic excellence and setting high expectations.
Juan Miguel Arredondo[/caption]Why are you running for a seat on the San Marcos CISD board of trustees?
I am running because I believe change on our school board is desperately needed. The San Marcos CISD could become the premier school district in Texas if our community elects trustees who do not settle for the status quo. I have been a vocal advocate for excellence in our schools, and I believe the election of a third new trustee in May will enable our district to finally move forward. To put it simply, I am running to make our schools better so both current and future students receive the education they deserve.
Danny Gonzales (Incumbent)
Incumbent Danny Gonzales, who has lived in San Marcos since 1987, said all of his children attended San Marcos CISD schools from kindergarten through high school graduation. Gonzales co-chaired the committee that formulated the bond that voters approved in 2013. Gonzales said he will put that experience to work for the district if elected.
Danny Gonzales[/caption]Why are you running for a seat on the San Marcos CISD board of trustees?
I have been serving the community and schools for many years. Currently I am serving as the District 1 trustee and feel that my input and knowledge has been of benefit to the school board, school district and students. I want to learn even more and support our children, teachers and community by continuing to represent the best interests of those I serve.
Voters in San Marcos CISD will be able to choose two candidates for the at-large seats on the board of trustees. Voters in District 1, which is located in southeast San Marcos, will be able to vote on the two at-large seats and the District 1 seat.
**At-large candidates Sophia Downing and Jesse Ponce did not respond to the Q&A by publication deadline.
KYLE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 5
Damon Fogley
Former U.S. Army officer and current EMS paramedic Damon Fogley has been a member of the Kyle community for seven years. Fogley previously served on the city’s Safety and Emergency Services Committee. Among his priorities are diversifying the tax base and creating local primary jobs, he said.
Damon Fogley[/caption]Why are you running for a seat on Kyle City Council?
I take pride in our city and what we stand for as a community. I have over 15 years of public-sector service. Our city needs effective and proven leadership, especially with the amount of growth that is anticipated over the next decade and the problems we face with water diversification and road maintenance. I want to be part of that change. Of all the issues at play I am the most passionate about public safety, transportation and water. I will do everything I can in order to keep our citizens safe and maintain a desirable quality of life.
Laurie Luttrell
Laurie Luttrell is a business manager and small-business owner. She has lived in Kyle for eight years and ran for a seat on the council in May and again in August. Public safety is among Luttrell’s priorities, and she would work to improve security throughout the city, she said.
Laurie Luttrell[/caption]Why are you running for a seat on Kyle City Council?
I’m passionate about my city, and I want to make a difference. During the past six years our tax rate has risen to the point that it is now the highest of any city in Hays County. Our water and wastewater rates have increased dramatically. We need to attract business by improving our infrastructure, lowering our tax rate and trimming our nonessential expenditures. I want to see Kyle continue to grow and be an affordable city for its residents.
Jaime Sanchez
Jaime Sanchez has spent his entire life in the city and served on City Council in the past. With a background in engineering and construction, Sanchez said he plans to address Kyle’s growing infrastructure concerns, but the challenges should be tackled in a fiscally responsible manner. He said he plans to combat “high taxes and wasteful spending” if elected.
Jaime Sanchez[/caption]Why are you running for a seat on Kyle City Council?
I’m a lifelong resident of Kyle, and my passion for the community runs deep. I’ve seen Kyle go through many changes and continued growth. With that said, more than ever our residents need a voice. I want to be that voice that represents their needs and addresses their concerns. Along with the city’s phenomenal growth there are crucial decisions to be made that will keep Kyle on the right path. These decisions are vital to the community’s health.
KYLE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 6
Dex Ellison
Banker Dex Ellison has lived in Kyle for four years. He has volunteered as a coach for the Kyle Invaders, a youth football and cheerleading club. He is also a graduate of the Kyle Citizen’s Police Academy. Ellison said he plans to improve the quality of life in the city by advocating for a recreation center or skate park.
Dex Ellison[/caption]Why are you running for a seat on Kyle City Council?
I’m running for the District 6 City Council seat because I care very deeply for my community. I want to do everything I can to help build this growing community into what I see as potentially one of the most prosperous and vibrant cities in not only the state but also the union. Kyle is at a very crucial point in our great city’s timeline, that with the imminent growth we are already facing, vigorous decisions need to be made for not only the next three years of this seat’s term, but for our future in 10 years and well beyond.
Daphne Tenorio
A homemaker and community volunteer, Daphne Tenorio previously held a position on Kyle’s Planning and Zoning Commission, but this is her first time seeking an elected position. Tenorio has committed more than 20 years to volunteer service, as she has participated in various Hays CISD activities and volunteered with nonprofit organizations.
Daphne Tenorio[/caption]Why are you running for a seat on Kyle City Council?
Kyle is at a crossroads. The decisions we make now greatly impact the quality of life of its citizens in the short and long term. Kyle needs strong leaders who will continue to build on the current good quality of life and strive to make that quality of life even better. This will require tough decisions to ensure we have a quality road system, an ample water supply, and a strong economy with flourishing and thriving businesses. All of that must happen while ensuring that our tax dollars are spent wisely and efficiently.
City of Kyle voting districts consist of three geographic-based, or single-member, districts and three at-large positions. Districts 1, 3 and 5 are at-large positions, and Districts 2, 4 and 6 are based on geography. Voters in District 6 will be able to vote in the District 5 race as well.
*District 6 Councilwoman Tammy Swaton did not respond to the Q&A by publication deadline.
Polling locations
Registered voters in San Marcos CISD or the city of Kyle can cast their ballot at any vote center within their respective district or city during early voting and on election day. For more information about San Marcos CISD and city of Kyle polling locations, visit www.smcisd.net or www.cityofkyle.com, respectively.
San Marcos CISD
- Hays County Government Center**, 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos
- New Life Christian Center, 4000 Hwy. 123, San Marcos
- San Marcos Housing Residents Office, 820 Sturgeon St., San Marcos
- Dunbar Center, 801 Martin Luther King Dr., San Marcos
- Crockett Elementary School, 1300 Girard St., San Marcos
- Travis Elementary School, 1437 Post Rd., San Marcos
Kyle City Council
- Chapa Middle School, 3311 Dacy Lane, Kyle
- Kyle City Hall***, 100 W. Center St., Kyle
- Wallace Middle School, 1302 W. Center St., Kyle
**denotes early voting polling place
***denotes early and election day voting polling place
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