Local · Trusted · Free
The Morning Impact — your neighborhood's most important stories, delivered every morning.
Two candidates are running for Judson ISD school board Place 2 in the May 3 election.
The trustee position is currently held by Stephanie Faulkner, who was appointed by the board in August 2023. The seat had been left vacant after Shatonya King stepped down in July of that year, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.
What you need to know
The candidates running for Place 2 on the board are Stephanie Jones and Monique Robinson.
Trustees are elected for four-year terms, and the seats up for election are single-member districts, meaning only residents of those districts can cast a vote for the respective board seat.
Learn more
For voters, the last day to register to vote in the election is April 3. Voter registration and information can be found on the Texas Secretary of State website, and early voting is scheduled for April 22-29.
Candidates were asked to limit responses to 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers have been edited or cut for style and clarity or to adhere to guidelines.
What are your top three priorities that you would like to achieve if elected?
Invest in our teachers - Offer competitive pay and resources to attract and retain top educators. Ensure safety and security in our schools. Protecting students, teachers, and staff to promote a positive learning environment. Prioritize classroom funding. Allocate resources directly to the classrooms for student needs.
What challenges do you think the district is currently facing, and what is your plan to address those?
Low test scores - Addressing disparities in student performance across all demographics through targeted interventions and support systems. Transparency - Involve teachers, parents, and the community in decision making. Staff satisfaction - Promote an environment where staff are comfortable reporting issues and do no fear retaliation.
In the event of budget constraints, what are potential solutions you would advocate for to balance?
It's essential to conduct a thorough review, making deliberate data driven decisions so that it will influence both the present and future of the district. We must prioritize reductions that least impact direct student education, thereby preserving positions that provide classroom support. Continue initiatives that result in more state funding.
What are your top three priorities that you would like to achieve if elected?
1. Enhance social-emotional support 2. Implement resources to improve literacy. 3. Strengthen the budget to improve retention.
What challenges do you think the district is currently facing, and what is your plan to address those?
JISD faces budget limitations and workforce retention issues. I plan to engage with stakeholders to address resource gaps and prioritize funding for essential programs, fostering collaboration within the community.
In the event of budget constraints, what are potential solutions you would advocate for to balance?
I would promote transparency in budget decisions and seek alternative funding through grants and community partnerships to ensure essential programs are maintained while providing solutions for those impacted by budget cuts.
