Judson ISD bond fails; one SCUCISD trustee upset; Comal ISD bond gets mixed response

Nearly 60% of the voters defeated Proposition B, which supported athletic facility and field improvements at secondary campuses.

Proposition C, which contained districtwide technology upgrades, won approval from only 49% of voters.

Superintendent Jeanette Ball issued a statement, saying JISD was grateful for a voter turnout that was higher than in previous district bond elections.

Ball said despite one year’s worth of pre-bond work performed by district residents, parents, faculty and staff, JISD has work to do to realize the community’s priorities for students and schools.

“We will take this opportunity to begin a series of surveys and community input meetings in the coming months to receive additional feedback and to chart a course for the district based upon the desires of our constituents,” Ball added.

In SCUCISD, Place 4 trustee Edward Finley collected 57% of the vote, fending off a challenge from former Schertz EMS Director Dudley Wait.

Finley thanked voters for awarding him another four-year term in office.

“I think it came down to my time with the school board, my conservative views, and my putting students, teachers and staff first when I make a decision,” Finley said.

Amy Thomas, an office manager who has spent 15 years as a school district parent, volunteer and advocate, foiled Place 5 trustee Gary Inmon’s bid for a sixth consecutive term. This was Thomas’ first campaign for public office. She tallied 64% of the vote.

Inmon, a Clemens High School alumnus, was first elected to the school board in 2000. He had served three terms as board president.

“I want to thank all of those who encouraged and supported me during my campaign,” Thomas said following her win. “I look forward to working with (Superintendent Clark) Ealy and the rest of the board of trustees.”

Educator Belinda Evans totaled 53% of the vote to beat Tony Lehman and win the Place 7 board seat. She replaces outgoing board President Amy Driesbach, who’s departing after a six-year board stint.

Evans’ campaign focused on her educational and community experiences such as leading church groups, and volunteering on boards of non-profit agencies. Evans thanked voters, and said she now looks forward to working with Ealy and fellow trustees to meet the community’s needs.

“Our students need our support to attain academic success that will extend into their college, career and military arenas,” she added.

As of 11 p.m. Nov. 2, two Comal ISD bond propositions supporting athletic facility improvements and stadium expansions were failing. Proposition C was down failing at 44% approval and proposition D was failing with 39% approval.

Proposition B, which would fund $411.2 million in new school construction, land purchases and the acquisition of school buses, was receiving 55% approval.

Proposition E, which backs $34.5 million in districtwide technology upgrades, was receiving 56% approval.

Proposition A, which supports a property tax rate hike to boost teacher and staff pay and fund new teaching positions, was receiving 51% approval.