comal isd school board elections

Texas A&M University System bans diversity statements from job applications, Movies romanticized the Alamo. School board candidates must be registered voters, reside in the district they are filing for and must have resided within the school district for at least six months. Top priorities for me are transparency in how board decisions are made. With the end of the month-long candidate-filing period for the May 7 elections last week, the slate of hopefuls for seats on area school boards and the New Braunfels City Council is set. Enrollment (14-15) 20,327 students. Be a voice for all Comal ISD communities. | New Braunfels voters will elect CISD school board members for districts 6 and 7. I want to participate in the process to fix it as your trustee. Northside board policy is to declare whoever wins the most votes the winner, so there wont be a runoff. What is your current or most recent occupation? View the 2022 School Board Candidates. Proposition D, at $34,540,000 will fund student and teacherinstructional technologyand network infrastructure projects. I am a full-time student at St. Phillips College. This would enable us to locate our schools within satisfactory distances for parents to send their children. I graduated from San Antonio College in 2015 with my Associates Degree, and then I went on to graduate from Texas State University in 2017 with my Bachelors Degree in English and 7th-12th teaching certificate. By Lauren Canterberry Even though she was the only member of the slate to win election, Sorensen said narrow margins in the other races show a lot of people are behind them. This will have a domino effect on our community if we do not address this before the coming school year. We need to keep expanding our programs to keep up with our rapidly growing district. If you value our commitment to the highest standards of responsible journalism and are able to do so, please consider making your gift of support today. Those board member positions are occupied by Marty Bartlett and Cody Mueller, respectively.. As a Trustee, I intend to allow parents to make decisions that are best for their children. | But I believe transparency and accountability lead to trust throughout an organization, and no matter how an organization is currently run, there are always improvements that can be made in transparency and accountability. The goal of these lawsuits is to nullify Governor Abbotts Executive Order GA-36 on mask mandates in schools and give that power to school boards throughout the state. She currently works as a COVID-19 contact tracer. Retired principal Corrine Saldaa narrowly won election with 33% of the vote. Beginning on April 19, there will be an election for three members of the Board of Trustees for Comal Independent School District. Why reinvent the wheel. I taught for 5 years in Northside ISD as an engineering instructor at one of their magnet schools Construction Careers Academy located next to Earl Warren High School. Proposition C, at$20,397,672, will fundstadium capacityexpansion projects at both Canyon Lake and Davenport High Schools. NEW BRAUNFELSIn a resounding 7-0 vote, the Comal ISD Board of Trustees approved a resolution supporting area residents and communities, echoing their concerns about the proposed Vulcan quarry, and directing the school administration to file for a contested case hearing. Texas Public Radio. Support our teachers and staff. They will be joined by Daniel Carrillo. This allows me to have a completely neutral view of Comal ISD as I do not have any favorites in terms of schools, teachers, and administrators nor do I have any negative views either. Comal ISD has a seven-member Board of Trustees. I think it shows our message has resonated with the community, and people are ready for change, Sorensen said. Before this, I worked at Ed White Middle School in NEISD for four years. I plan to keep a students first mindset in all decisions. 2005-2022 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved. The San Antonio Independent School District board elections are among the most hotly contested, with the district's largest teachers union backing a slate of candidates to unseat three incumbents and replace a departing trustee on the seven-member board. 3:16 PM Apr 25, 2022 CDT, Learn more about the candidates for districts 6 and 7 for the Comal ISD board of trustees. at 5:30 p.m., a drawing will take place in the Board Room at the Comal ISD Support Services Building, located at 1404 IH 35 North, New Braunfels, TX 78130, for the purpose of determining the order in which the names of candidates for the Board of Trustees shall appear on the official ballot for the May 6, 2023, trustee election. Code 11.002. We need to look at how we plan out future growth by working with local leaders in New Braunfels, Garden Ridge, Canyon Lake and Smithson Valley to insure we meet this growth in a fiscally responsible manner. Local school boards dont have much of a say in this. If the state wants to administer and test to collect data to evaluate the public school system, I have no problem with that. Neither filed for re-election. Updated Would you like to receive our daily news. I would have voted to keep the mask mandate. We also need to continue the strategic use of portables so that we build schools at the right size at the right time, all while having a conservative and mindful approach about using taxpayer supported bonds. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, It should also allow contractors to "sharpen their pencils" on how to rebuild similar buildings based on previous experience. Lauren joined Community Impact Newspaper as a reporter in October 2019. At CI, Lauren covers education, local government, transportation, business, real estate development and nonprofits in New Braunfels. Beginning on April 19, there will be an election for two members of the Board of Trustees for New Braunfels Independent School District. To be elected to a school board, an individual must be a qualified voter: 18 years of age or older, a U.S citizen, a Texas resident, a registered voter, not determined to be totally or partially mentally incapacitated by an appropriate court, and not finally convicted of a felony. If elected, I intend to understand and communicate to constituents the districts efforts to close those gaps. Currently, COMAL ISD comprises over 40% minorities in our student body; yet, representation on the school board does not reflect this. I do not know my opponents, but you have educated yourself and have decided, based our experience and education, whether we are the people for the job and you will vote for the best person accordingly. How would you / do you decide whether or not to approve the budget recommended to you by district administration? Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Mostly clear. This allows me to literally Think Outside the Box when looking at solutions to problems facing the community and its educational requirements. Six candidates are vying for Comal ISD single-member districts 6 and 7 in this Mays election. Sign up today! I served in the Army Corps of Engineers with the 25th Infantry Division. Elections will be held for Comal ISD District 3 and 5. I taught one year at an Alternative Charter School in Schertz to middle school students and high school students. Collecting information regarding the budget, profit and loss potential. How should Comal ISD handle its ongoing growth? Cheryl . Every child is different and learns differently so grouping them under 1 umbrella doesn't really give a clear picture of academic success and failure. Amanda Jones and. For best results call during our business hours *Courtney Beach Biasatti: District No. I plan to push for the development of intentional and conservative budgets that prioritize hiring and compensating existing teachers as well as hiring well-qualified teachers to fill new positions. I was born and raised in Comal County and attended Smithson Valley High School where I played football and was a member of the track & field team throughout my high school years. It is no secret that Comal ISD is growing at an unprecedented rate, and how well we handle additional student enrollment is crucial. Brittany Soto: District No. As an educated, experienced trustee, I can help effect this change. Shedefeated Drastata Saturday with just under 59% of the vote. If Harlandales board policy required candidates to win a majority of the vote, trustees would have had to either call a special election or appoint someone to represent District 3. Each has . racist or sexually-oriented language. I am an avid sportsman and wildlife conservationist. Seats representing District 1 and 2 on the City Council are up for grabs, as incumbents Shane Hines and Justin Meadows did not file for reelection. High 82F. She is a school board candidate in Comal ISD for the District 1 seat. Schools should keep students safe and secure while they learn. Keep it Clean. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. What experience do you have making financial decisions? Yes, there are pockets of goodness in individual teachers and teams across the district, but for the most part this is dismal and must change. Political agendas and ideals have no place in the classroom. We publish election results following each election. August 17, 2021 - Monday evening, the Comal ISD Board of Trustees called for two elections to be held on Nov. 2. Withitspassage, teachers and staff would receive a 3 percent pay increase this year with auxiliarypersonnelreceivinga$1.50 hourly pay increase. What grade on an A-F scale would you give your districts response to the coronavirus pandemic. With a very dynamic growth rate, Comal ISD is poised to continue growing at a rapid pace. All are for three-year terms. In 2022, four of the seven board seats are up for election. Current board president and UTSA education professor Carol Harle easily won reelection in District 6, and incumbent Karen Freeman received the majority of the vote, even with a crowded field of three challengers. There was no communication with teachers or parents. I have a BA in Math Education, an MS in Computer Systems from the Air Force Institute of Technology, am teacher-certified in Hawaii and Texas, have certifications from TEA as a math teacher, and am Texas Principal-certified. At CI, Lauren covers education, local government, transportation, business, real estate development and nonprofits in New Braunfels. I want your vote as the trustee for our district because I am greatly concerned about the reasons why good teachers and staff are leaving our district, some after only three or four months in the classroom; why bus routes are being canceled; why teachers get yearly pay cuts because any increase they get is less than the rise of inflation, pay cuts, and the failing grades! Diaz is married to Texas State Board of Education member Marisa Perez-Diaz and was endorsed by Julin Castro. Internet stream is unaffected. We must continue to study the projected growth in the district so we can make strategic decisions regarding when and where to purchase land. accounts, the history behind an article. My passion and motivation to make a difference are my girls and their education. As a recent student of Comal ISD, I was taught to look at and believe the math and the science. Teachers in some cases are even overworked due to the high demand to meet their high standards. One of the school boards primary responsibilities is to approve a budget. Being sure our children are at the forefront of all decisions made by the school district is my top priority, and I will continue to advocate for the conservative family values that are important to many living in Comal County. Looking to replace the District 6 trustee seat for Comal ISD, which is currently occupied by Marty Bartlett, are newcomers Amanda Jones and Amber Bracegirdle. We'd love to hear eyewitness To the registered voters of the Comal Independent School District, Texas: (A los votantes registrados del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Comal, Texas:) Notice is hereby given that the vote centers listed below will be open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on May 1, 2021, for voting in a general election in single-member districts 1 and 2 to elect Success! Why or why not? Prior to CI, Eric freelanced for multiple publications and was a reporter for the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Two incumbents and five challengers competed for three trustee seats on the Southwest ISD board. (Community Impact Newspaper staff), Editor, New Braunfels and San Marcos/Buda/Kyle. Did not respond. Get the latest breaking news from The Herald-Zeitung. Details about the VATRE and Bond 2021 can be found on theDistrictswebsite. Use the 'Report' link on Questions regarding elections can be directed to Melanie Allen at (763)689-6202 or mallen@c-ischools.org. Heath Pinkerton 21. During those three years of college, I cared for my four-year-old, married my husband, Ryan, and had two more children. These acquired skills give me a key understanding of educational requirements and issues, personnel and disciplinary issues, construction, capacity planning, maintenance and finances as well as the caring and compassion needed to understand and address any issues facing the Comal ISD School Board. Former Judson trustee Jose Macias Jr. will once again represent Judsons District 4. D. At first I believe Comal ISD did a good job of providing options to students and parents to see if theyd like to attend in person or remote learning. Standardized tests should not exist. The base of this triangle is taxpayers who expect our schools to provide a good education for our students in an up to date learning environment who can be the leaders and workers of the future. Sign up today! I am guided by my own motives and the wisdom of like-minded others who have the singular goal of graduating children ready for the challenges they will meet in the future. Error! Yes- as a mother of 3 I am very impressed with the current curriculum, Yes- I believe they feel supported by the district. Comal ISD is a very large land mass. Hello, my name is Kaila Stovall. Don't Threaten. (Courtesy Adobe Stock). I have started youth sport organizations and had to create and approve budgets from year to year. San Antonios largest school district, Northside ISD, had three competitive races on the ballot. Joel Torres III 6. By Eric Weilbacher, Lauren Canterberry Be Proactive. The Comal ISD Board of Trustees approved a bond package that will accommodate continued enrollment growth as well as address items such as campus safety and security, student technology, and expansions and improvements at existing campuses during a meeting on Feb. 15. TPR was founded by and is supported by our community. This says a lot about my passion and determination to help others. I would like to see teachers, teach and not have to focus on the standardized testing regulations. No board, no person, no institution is perfect. School Board District 1. One of the things that sets me apart from my opponents is that Im currently a teacher and still working with students every day. TPR was founded by and is supported by our community. I would have polled the constituents in my district- all staff, parents and student input would be considered before casting my vote. Teachers must know their school board has their back. He was one of two trustees to vote against removing the mask mandate. I would decide on whether or not to approve a budget by seeing and listening to my districts needs. CTE Spotlight: Health Science Students Gain Experience, Earn Certifications I am no progressive I am a Christian and am for family values, a quality education for all students, hard work, academic integrity, teacher-enforced discipline supported by administration, and the entire district answerable to you, the voter. These skills can be acquired by more investment in Career and Technical Training courses at existing high schools or consolidation into schools that specialize in particular career options. After graduating with a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia Lauren was a freelance journalist and worked as a college English teacher in China. Mask mandates are still being litigated in the Texas Court of Appeals by 19 Independent School Districts. Have they mentored students in the National Honor Society or won awards for Robotics at the Texas State Level with their kiddos? Because I have children in the district, I am 100% invested in what is best for students. Voters in the San Antonio area will also vote in municipal and school board elections. If approved by voters, the Maintenance and Operations tax rate for 2021 would be 94 cents compared to 2020s tax rate of 92 cents. Two of seven seats on the Comal Independent School District board of trustees were up for by-district general election on May 6, 2017. (Warren Brown/Community Impact Newspaper). We are working to restore the radio signal. I have experience in Engineering, Cost Accounting, Production Planning and Plant Operations Management. Conservative family values are my moral fiber and have guided me throughout my life. I am involved in and understand the community, and I have based my campaign on the collective opinions and objectives of family stakeholders in the district. Those board member positions are occupied by Marty Bartlett and Cody Mueller, respectively. Currently I am an English Language Arts and Reading high school teacher working with 9th-12th grade students who are working towards earning English credits so they can stay on track to graduate with their peers. Teachers and support staff are responsible for student success they spend time with our students every day of the school year, and they should be making a wage that matches the work they put in each and every day. I think the biggest challenges are the erosion of discipline in schools, current progressive ideology that is tainting the purpose of education, the philosophy and approach to student performance and learning in school, and STAAR test results. I am Orlando OJ Dona, and with your vote I will be your Trustee for Comal ISD SMD 7 on May 7, 2022. My kids are twelve, six, four, and I recently had another child who is almost seven months now. Student success will always be a top priority for discussion in quarterly meetings with community members. Would you like to receive our daily news. Lauren joined Community Impact Newspaper as a reporter in October 2019. I want to serve on the board because being more involved in the community has not always been easy as a mom and a teacher, so this is my way to get more involved and to help students in a different way. He received 120 votes. Lastly, it is no secret that there are divisive political agendas threatening to infiltrate our schools a place where these differences should be set aside. A- opening schools in August was beneficial to the kids AND offering virtual learning as an option. Alamo Heights ISD had two competitive races without incumbents. Casey Moeller 13. Another challenge facing Comal ISD is the lack of transparency from board members and accessibility for community members. Harlandale ISD residents reelected both incumbents on the ballot in their first election since the Texas Education Agency put them under the oversight of a conservator. My time as a teacher has been rewarding, exciting, and, at times, mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting. Transparency is critical to our constituents whether they have children in the district, or not. This would include being proactive in seeking out land to buy for future construction. Creating accountability to our parents, students and staff where it might be lacking now through open communication. Three out of every four voters chose current Board President Norma Cavazos over former trustee David Abundis, who resigned during TEAs investigation into the district. Voters, in turn, approved the measure. Also, Im a Latina this is important because the makeup of our board is not representative of our community. Voters can be certain that I have no employment history with the district, no conflicts of interest, and I am not a radical activist who wants to change the fundamentals of our education system. 3:37 PM Feb 22, 2022 CST It should also allow contractors to sharpen their pencils on how to rebuild similar buildings based on previous experience. Ive always visualized Comal County as the place where I would raise a family. 9:53 AM Apr 21, 2021 CDT School Board Elections: Comal ISD Texas Public Radio Published April 19, 2021 at 1:20 AM CDT Note: Names are listed in order of appearance on the ballot according to the city clerks' office. Note: Names are listed in order of appearance on the ballot according to the city clerks' office. We have lived in Garden Ridge for over 10 years. I do volunteer charity work for the Garden Ridge Lions Club as the club Vice President. The housing policy coordinator was endorsed by former San Antonio Mayor and HUD Secretary Julin Castro, and the Northside chapter of the American Federation of Teachers. However, lifting the mask mandate that was set in place to protect students and staff less than 12 hours before the next school day and without consulting experts completely disregards all of those efforts. We are working to restore the radio signal. I will not waiver in my commitment to keep a students-first mindset. Lauren joined Community Impact Newspaper as a reporter in October 2019. Election day will be November 8, 2022. 1 of 2. May 7 Election results: School, College Districts Northside ISD, North East ISD, ACCD, Alamo Heights ISD, Boerne ISD, Comal ISD, Harlandale ISD, Ingram ISD, Kerrville ISD,. Those values, instilled in me from birth, will continue guiding my decision-making if I am elected to serve on the Board of Trustees. Delivering entertainment and live music news straight to your inbox every Thursday morning. After graduating with a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia Lauren was a freelance journalist and worked as a college English teacher in China. I have served as a high school vice principal and have taught at colleges and universities in four states since 2000. Do you think your district is doing a good job educating its students? That matters when we think about community involvement and equity. Trustee meetings drew packed board rooms this year following a series of controversial actions, motivating those who opposed their decisions to launch a get-out-the-vote campaign. High 82F. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. We have a daughter Carolyn who is a Pharmacist in Austin. Irma Iris Duran de Rodriguez came close to coming out on top, with 31% of the votes. If the School Board approves the updated Hillsborough County District Map, the students of thousands could be affected during the next school year. Also . An application of a candidate for a place on the election ballot must be filed with the Districts Board Secretary or the Secretarys designated agent at the Districts Central office location not later than 5:00 p.m. of the 78th day before the date of the election and not earlier than the 30th day before the date of the filing deadline, as per Education Code 11.055. Their futures rely on the education they receive while attending Comal ISD schools. File Photo | Camille Phillips | Texas Public Radio. Tex. Comal ISD is divided into single-member districts and has a seven-member Board of Trustees. In June, this Board approved a resolution that would ensure that revenue generated by the VATRE, both this year and in future years,isdedicated solely to fund teacher and staff compensation, as well as new teacher positions, says Comal ISD Board President Jason York. For TPR's full Voter Guide, click here. Ballotpedia provides in-depth coverage of school board elections in America's largest school districts by enrollment. Thats a responsibility I take really seriously coming into the board.. Comal ISD Positions 1, 2 and 5all single-member districtswill be up for. Elections will be held for Comal ISD District 1, 2, and 5. Comal ISD Trustees Adopt Tax Rate, Approve Separate Elections to Address Compensation, Growth Stephanie Johnson August 17, 2021 Comal ISD's 2017 $263.5 million school-bond package included $94 million for the construction of two middle schools and $21.3 million for technology. I challenge voters to look at the most recent grade report on their local school and not be horrified. Voters in Bexar County's wealthiest school district overwhelmingly approved a tax rate election Tuesday night, but voters in three other Bexar County school districts rejected their districts' requests for bond funding. After the filing period for the upcoming May election closed Feb. 18, a total of 12 candidates filed for two Comal ISD and three New Braunfels ISD trustee positions. However, downtown residents and residents of the Monte Vista, King William and Lavaca neighborhoods opted for new representation in the San Antonio Independent School District. * denotes candidates who did not respond to survey requests sent via email and/or phone calls by time of publication. The Comal ISD Board of Trustees approved a bond package that will accommodate continued enrollment growth as well as address items such as campus safety and security, student technology, and expansions and improvements at existing campuses during a meeting on Feb. 15. If you are not an incumbent, would you have voted to rescind the mask mandate? Ryan and I made our home New Braunfels seven years ago, and we have loved living here. While the district must manage the predicted exponential growth occurring in our area, the community should be aware of, and participate in, the efforts to maintain high-quality educational opportunities for our growing student population. I know for a fact we are overspending in certain areas of our budget via open record requests. The early years of my post-graduate career were spent in the outdoor industry, beginning with the famed YO Ranch and, soon after, a luxury wing-shooting lodge in Kentucky. By. Sorensen said she wants parents and students to have more of a say in their schools, and to bring more transparency to the budgeting process. Students go through immense amounts of stress and pressure to pass these tests. We don't have the staff to meet currently enrolled needs, so this has to be addressed and continually assessed if we're ever going to have a hope of breaking out of the cycle of hiring contractors that take us over budget. I do believe Comal ISD is doing a good job in educating our students. It is our responsibility to use money wisely, and the wisest thing we can do is pay our teachers more, but not only our teachers, we also need to pay our support staff more. That means we need to open the doors of our schools and invite our taxpayers to see the facilities and programs that could not be possible without their financial support. Also seeking to win one of the at-large trustee seats, which are currently held by Clark and David Heefner, is Matthew D. Sargent. Do you know this means your student scored about a 40% on the test? Low 52F. 2. I also earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston and transitioned to VP of Operations for an oilfield service company in College Station. These will be held outside of our regular board meetings. M-F 10-2. Good communications between schools and parents is sometimes not there, and teachers and staff are leaving because of a lack of trust or for other unknown reasons because our Central Office doesnt have a process to analyze why. That is the equivalent of adding an entire high school to our district every year. Rafael Diaz, who was appointed to replace Macias, won the District 7 seat, which represents all of Judson. 5. Each I know what they are dealing with when it comes to changes from TEA or Governor Abbott because Im also dealing with those changes and learning how to navigate teaching and everything else that is being thrown at us. It is important we manage our tax monies prudently. Preliminary election results for three open seats on the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD school board show voters chose experience with one exception. If you are an incumbent, please defend your vote on the decision to rescind the districts mask mandate March 9. This is especially true in how we spend our monies. We need to work with state legislators to keep more tax dollars in our school district and increase teacher compensation to reflect current costs of living and inflation. Comal ISD is divided into single-member districts and has a seven-member Board of Trustees. Being a current teacher allows me the ability to understand teachers in the district in a different way. Signup today! After graduating with a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia Lauren was a freelance journalist and worked as a college English teacher in China. degree in Industrial Engineering and a M.S. please consider making your gift of support today. You have permission to edit this article. I also plan to live stream board meetings and allow community members to speak and listen in, so that their voices are part of the conversation. Four seats on the Comal Independent School District Board of Trustees were up for general election on May 9, 2015. Finally, high-quality teacher retention and recruitment is a significant challenge, and we must seek creative solutions to funding increases. I stand up for what I believe in, and I am highly motivated to see our schools succeed.

Martin Lewis Bitcoin This Morning, Articles C