Residents who reside within the boundaries of Pearland ISD will vote in two contested school board races this May general election cycle. Incumbent Rusty DeBorde is running for re-election after serving two, three-year terms as a trustee in position No. 2. His challenger is 18-year-old Dawson High School senior Mike Floyd, who would become the youngest-serving PISD trustee if elected. The second trustee seat on the ballot is position No. 3 due to the recent death of longtime trustee Virgil Gant. The winner for trustee position No. 3 will serve for one year to fill the remainder of Gant's term. Pam Boegler was appointed by the school board in July to fill Gant's vacancy until the May election. She previously served two terms as a trustee between May 2010 and 2016. Boegler faces competition from two challengers. Trevor Hale is a tenure-track professor at the University of Houston-Downtown. This election marks Hale's third attempt at running for trustee. He unsuccessfully ran for the PISD school board in 2014 and 2011. Boegler's second challenger is Al Lloyd, a special programs coordinator at Houston ISD. Lloyd oversees HISD's magnet programs. Early voting begins April 24 and runs through May 2. Election day is May 6. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and online at communityimpact.com for live coverage on election day, May 6. *An asterisk marks the incumbent candidate.
Position No. 2
Mike Floyd
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Mike Floyd, a Dawson High School senior who is graduating this May, is running for PISD trustee position No. 2.[/caption]
Professional experience: Student, Dawson High School
Years lived in Pearland: 18
Current civic positions held: President, Dawson High School Student Council
Top priorities:
- Create a balanced budget
- Expand education opportunities
- Bring the valuable experience of a student to the board
- Bridge the gap that exists between the district and the classrooms
Why are you running for PISD trustee?
Never before in PISD history has a student been elected to the Board of Trustees. I believe it is long overdue. This is a great opportunity for someone who actually knows what is going on inside of the classrooms to help set district policy. There is a massive disconnect between the district administration and the classrooms, a gap that I can fill. We need representation that understands students, teachers and parents first. While Pearland ISD is a great district, we have many problems. A budget deficit, massive debt, inefficiency and waste, as well as issues with integrity. Transparency is a huge issue for me. Everyone who pays into our community has a right to know and weigh in on what’s going on in the district. I will bring the community, parents, and students into the process.
What do you hope to accomplish as a trustee?
I hope to assist in bringing better cohesion to our district, bridge the gap between the board and the classroom, create a more transparent district, focus on fiscal responsibility, treat our teachers and staff with respect and dignity, protect all students, open more doors of opportunity, create a culture of tolerance and acceptance, and fight for a great education for all of our students. It’s time for new leadership and real change.
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Rusty DeBorde is running a third time for PISD trustee position No. 2.[/caption]
Rusty DeBorde*
Professional experience: Director of business development, Raba Kistner Inc.
Years lived in Pearland: 38
Current civic positions held: Pearland ISD trustee, 2011-present
Top priorities:
- An efficient and balanced budget
- Practical policy that makes common sense to best serve all of our stakeholders
Why are you running for PISD trustee? To help fulfill the vision of graduating responsible, resilient, and passionate lifelong learners that are complex thinkers and problem solvers that effectively communicate and have a sense of self-worth and civic accountability. What do you hope to accomplish as a trustee? A partnership with the entire community that results in world class schools and enriched lives for all of our stakeholders.
