Place 5 Frisco ISD board trustee Debbie Gillespie announced she is seeking re-election to her third term in the May 6 school board election. Gillespie was first elected to the board in 2011. She is a 2014 graduate of Leadership TASB, where she earned the distinction of a Master Trustee. She is the first FISD trustee to represent Frisco and Region 10 at the state level as the Texas Association of School Boards Region 10A director. She was first elected in 2015 for a one-year unexpired term, then re-elected in 2016 for a three-year term. Debbie Gillespie is running for re-election to the Place 5 seat on the Frisco ISD school board.[/caption] “[FISD is] so fortunate to have a board that works well together and understands the importance of keeping our students first,” Gillespie said. “I am proud to serve with them and to support the important work of our FISD staff in their efforts to provide the best in opportunities for all students.” She said continuity in leadership within the district is important as FISD continues to meet the challenges of fast growth and budget constraints while focusing on student achievement. Gillespie said she is an advocate for public education for all students and believes it is critical to stay in contact with local leaders and legislators and to study issues and trends that are impacting families at local, regional, state and national levels. She said she is also a proponent of staying involved at all levels of education. “Keeping communication open and expanding community involvement and support are all vital to keeping FISD the best place for our students to learn and grow,” she said. Gillespie has been a community volunteer and board member for organizations including Frisco Family Services, Miracle League, PTA and PTO, in addition to more recent service through National Charity League, Young Men’s Service League, Frisco Council of PTA’s, the Frisco Education Foundation and Frisco Fastpacs. She is a recipient of the Frisco Council of PTA’s 2016 Lifetime Award. Gillespie was born in Kerrville and raised in Austin. She is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University. She and her husband, Dane, moved to Frisco in 1995, and have two children who attended and graduated from FISD schools.