I would recommend all of you make a tally of things that you want to see in your school board member, judge us according by your list, and vote accordingly. My wife, Tory, and I attend Northeast Bible Church and have two daughters who go to Garden Ridge Elementary School. Incumbent Laurie Schley lost to former board member Jason York in the race for District 3. Brittany Soto: District No. CTE Spotlight: Health Science Students Gain Experience, Earn Certifications *Courtney Beach Biasatti: District No. The Comal ISD board of trustees had a busy night Monday, but after some public comments on the district's mask policy the meeting largely focused on the district's tax rate and bond elections. Rafael Diaz, who was appointed to replace Macias, won the District 7 seat, which represents all of Judson. In addition, utilizing school design replication would lower design costs, maintenance costs and fixture costs. 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. 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. Christopher Willis and Fabian Castillo Dealva are seeking the District 2 seat. Each and every child in our district should be prepared for a productive and fulfilling future. What would be your top priorities if you are elected? 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. In 2022, four of the seven board seats are up for election. I know for a fact we are overspending in certain areas of our budget via open record requests. I would have polled the constituents in my district- all staff, parents and student input would be considered before casting my vote. 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. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. This is a state issue however. I feel a very personal and serious responsibility for all children in our growing district and the quality education they receive. 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. Voting and Election Information | Comal County, Texas Home Elections BBM & Early Voting Data May 7, 2022 Election Ballot by Mail and Early Voter Data Data for May 7, 2022 Election **NOTE: If an election entity is not hyperlinked, no data has been reported for that date. 1 CISD has done a great job keeping the schools open and I hope they remain open through the end of the school year. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Experience: 6 years as a certified teacher in the State of Texas. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Mostly clear. Why? I taught one year at an Alternative Charter School in Schertz to middle school students and high school students. Texas A&M University System bans diversity statements from job applications, Movies romanticized the Alamo. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. 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. Share with Us. (Courtesy Adobe Stock). Why or why not? My kids are twelve, six, four, and I recently had another child who is almost seven months now. 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. *Tim Hennessee: District No. 5:22 PM Apr 7, 2022 CDT At CI, Lauren covers education, local government, transportation, business, real estate development and nonprofits in New Braunfels. I feel compelled to serve on the Comal ISD Board of Trustees, first and foremost, because I have two young daughters and many friends with children in the district. Creating accountability to our parents, students and staff where it might be lacking now through open communication. This says a lot about my passion and determination to help others. Nine out of the 10 incumbents on the ballot won reelection. Maintain the ongoing academic and extracurricular success of our students. 3:37 PM Feb 22, 2022 CST, Three New Braunfels ISD positions and two Comal ISD positions will appear on the ballot May 7. There is a trust that comes from our Constitution that the republic works, and that the People will elect in a fair election the only kind we have here in Texas the representative whose values best represents them. 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. Voters, in turn, approved the measure. He was one of two trustees to vote against removing the mask mandate. This would include being proactive in seeking out land to buy for future construction. Details about the VATRE and Bond 2021 can be found on theDistrictswebsite. Those board member positions are occupied by Marty Bartlett and Cody Mueller, respectively. These two separate elections will consist of a Voter Approved Tax Ratification Election(VATRE), which will address teacher and staff compensationand new teaching positions,and a Bond Election, which will address continued District growth. Both elections will be on Nov. 2 and early voting will be Oct. 18 to 29. A top priority would be implementation of programs,. My top priorities include: Looking at our budget and finding where we are overspending so that we can find a way to pay teachers and support staff more; making sure we are being more transparent and accessible to parents, Comal ISD staff and all community members; offering support by listening to Comal ISD staff to find out what things need to change in our schools to ensure student success; and communicating with constituents. Ryan and I made our home New Braunfels seven years ago, and we have loved living here. 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. This will have a domino effect on our community if we do not address this before the coming school year. Have my opponents served as a vice principal? What could it be doing better? 1What is your current or most recent occupation? Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, How would you / do you decide whether or not to approve the budget recommended to you by district administration? 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. Four seats on the Comal Independent School District Board of Trustees were up for general election on May 9, 2015. School Board District 1. I would have voted to keep the mask mandate. Why do you want to serve on the school board? 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! I stand up for what I believe in, and I am highly motivated to see our schools succeed. He received 120 votes. or anything. Those values, instilled in me from birth, will continue guiding my decision-making if I am elected to serve on the Board of Trustees. 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. Texas Public Radio | If the School Board approves the updated Hillsborough County District Map, the students of thousands could be affected during the next school year. New Braunfels police chief finalists announced, Q&A: Meet the candidates running for New Braunfels City Council, From persuasive writing to planting trees, Carl Schurz Elementary students celebrate Earth Day, Q&A's: Meet the candidates running for New Braunfels ISD board of trustees, Comal County surpasses 10K confirmed, probable COVID-19 cases. why is my cookies pen blinking purple is there mobile coverage across the nullarbor comal county fire department Comal ISD has a seven-member Board of Trustees. TPR was founded by and is supported by our community. 2005-2022 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved. Would you like to receive our daily news. As a recent student of Comal ISD, I was taught to look at and believe the math and the science. Hello, my name is Kaila Stovall. There was a lot of concern over the health precautions that were going to be set in motion for the school year, but ultimately the first semester was a success. Board members should be willing to talk with their constituents and work with them to ensure every voice is heard and taken into account when making decisions. Each has . Do you know this means your student scored about a 40% on the test? accounts, the history behind an article. It is important we manage our tax monies prudently. (Community Impact Newspaper staff), Editor, New Braunfels and San Marcos/Buda/Kyle. High 82F. By Lauren Canterberry I would like to see teachers, teach and not have to focus on the standardized testing regulations. Three possibilities exist to consider a new map in the future. Political agendas and ideals have no place in the classroom. New Braunfels voters will elect CISD school board members for districts 6 and 7. No board, no person, no institution is perfect. Error! 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. I have over 13 years of experience making financial decisions. Comal ISD is a very large land mass. We do not need to do deficit budgeting. Student success will always be a top priority for discussion in quarterly meetings with community members. During those three years of college, I cared for my four-year-old, married my husband, Ryan, and had two more children. The Boards primary functions are goal setting, approving the budget and policymaking. Comal ISD is very reliant on homeowners to provide growth funding. TPR was founded by and is supported by our community. I challenge voters to look at the most recent grade report on their local school and not be horrified. 9:53 AM Apr 21, 2021 CDT, Learn more about the candidates for districts 1 and 2 for the Comal ISD board of trustees. Diaz is married to Texas State Board of Education member Marisa Perez-Diaz and was endorsed by Julin Castro. Sign up today! Because I have children in the district, I am 100% invested in what is best for students. I enjoy hunting, fishing, or traveling when I have the time. My goal is not to raise taxes. Comal Independent School District Board of Trustees Calls Two Elections to Address Enrollment Growth and Teacher Pay The Comal ISD Board of Trustees called for two elections to be held Nov. 2. 5. I want to use my skills to help our districts children thrive in an educational environment. Jason Isbell 5. Zeke Mendoza, who died shortly after Texas winter storm, was also on the ballot for District 3. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail (received not postmarked) is April 26. 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. Retired principal Corrine Saldaa narrowly won election with 33% of the vote. It should also allow contractors to "sharpen their pencils" on how to rebuild similar buildings based on previous experience. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) The celebration surrounding Damian Lillard's record-breaking performance was short-lived. Student grades are not improving, and the loss of teachers is making it worse. Updated According to a letter sent to residents from Comal ISD. TPR was founded by and is supported by our community. 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. View the 2022 School Board Candidates. One of the biggest challenges the school district faces is student performance, and I dont mean just performance on state-mandated tests. Each trustee on the Board is elected separately from the single-member district in which he/she resides. As one of the board members correctly pointed out, there's no way that Comal ISD will ever close the gap between what we can offer and the private sector, but we're paying the higher price regardless, which is taking us over budget. Support for TPR's Education News Desk comes from H-E-B Helping Here. Internet stream is unaffected. The forefront of our goals as board members should be student success, but success is not only grades and test scores. They will be joined by Daniel Carrillo. 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. Code 11.061; Tex. Alamo Heights ISD had two competitive races without incumbents. What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend listening and viewing, Attorney General Merrick Garland attends war crimes conference in Ukraine, A mother fights for accountability after her daughter died during ROTC training, Barnes & Noble is staging its biggest expansion in more than a decade. Lastly, Im a mother, a breast-feeding mother, a mother of four, a working-class mother. I am a parent with a long-term vested interest in the district. Proposition D, at $34,540,000 will fund student and teacherinstructional technologyand network infrastructure projects. While I was recruited to play football for McKendree College in Illinois, a knee injury ended my football career. One of the first things we need to do is have conversations and work closely with city leaders to learn about new developments being approved so we can make growth projections and plan accordingly. Six candidates have filed for two Comal ISD trustee positions, five seek two city council spots, and six vie for three seats on the New Braunfels ISD board. 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. Student enrollment growth is also a significant challenge for the district, and is projected to increase by 1,200-1,500 students per year for the next four years. Single-Member District 1 incumbent Steve Lechelop, an attorney who has represented the district since 2013, was narrowly defeated by Sarah Sorensen, a former legislative analyst in the New York State Assembly. Being a current teacher allows me the ability to understand teachers in the district in a different way. We've already got a shortfall of budget around special education. Copyright 2021 Comal County Republican Party Paid for by the Comal County Republican Party. Signup today! We need to be very proactive in locating where new housing developments are going up and how to serve the educational needs of our fast growing district. Courtney Beach Biasatti, Drastatas opponent, said she would have polled her constituents before making a decision about masks. Sorensen is the mother of a 5th grader enrolled at SAISDs Bonham Academy and vice-president of the Lavaca Neighborhood Association. Voters in the San Antonio area will also vote in municipal and school board elections. Comal ISD is divided into single-member districts and has a seven-member Board of Trustees. Mainly sunny. I am a full-time student at St. Phillips College. And though COVID is thought of as being to blame, math scores for students across all grade levels K-12 have dropped from 50% in 2019 to 35% in 2021, and similarly in other disciplines. The idea of approaching grade level level, for example, is touted as the mark for schools to achieve comfort. Dont be bamboozled! This skill set will lend itself well to future capital construction projects the Comal ISD will seek out to meet future expected growth. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Served on the districts Safety Committee? 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. Have they mentored students in the National Honor Society or won awards for Robotics at the Texas State Level with their kiddos? In the race to fill the District 7 trustee seat for the Comal ISD school board, currently held by Cody Mueller, are David Krawczynski, Kaila Stovall, Orlando Joseph Dona, Jr., who will appear as Orlando OJ Dona on the ballot, and Stephen (Steve) Gallets. 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. 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. What grade on an A-F scale would you give your districts response to the coronavirus pandemic. Signup today! High 82F. 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. racist or sexually-oriented language. I will do everything in my power to support the school district in providing the best teachers, curriculum and facilities needed to prepare our students for what lies ahead. This can be accomplished by replicating school designs which should lower design and construction costs, lowering maintenance parts and fixture costs, and allowing contractors to look at previous issues and correcting those in lower price bids. 1 of 2. 2005-2022 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved. Delivering entertainment and live music news straight to your inbox every Thursday morning. Proposition C, at$20,397,672, will fundstadium capacityexpansion projects at both Canyon Lake and Davenport High Schools. In doing so, we will achieve the best quality education. Mask mandates are still being litigated in the Texas Court of Appeals by 19 Independent School Districts. Our teachers work hard for our students, and, if I am elected, I plan to take a fiscally conservative approach to increase teacher compensation. I have experience in Engineering, Cost Accounting, Production Planning and Plant Operations Management. 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. 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. Comal ISD is divided into single-member districts and has a seven-member Board of Trustees. My goal is to see our district continue being a pacesetter in statewide education. May 1, 2021 Election Results: Comal ISD The KSAT 12 News Team provides a look at local, regional, statewide and national news events and the latest information on local traffic and weather. We need to reach out to local or even corporate businesses to see if we could get any donations from them. Oak Creek and Freiheit Elementary Schools, and a new middle school to relieve Canyon Middle School. 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. Delivering entertainment and live music news straight to your inbox every Thursday morning. Where are our new students coming from? Most charter schools follow strict guidelines to for their test scores and are very selective of their students. Hes returning to the board after resigning to join the Alamo Colleges Board in 2019. Shedefeated Drastata Saturday with just under 59% of the vote. KTPD 89.3 FM in Del Rio's broadcast signal is currently down. Neither filed for re-election. At CI, Lauren covers education, local government, transportation, business, real estate development and nonprofits in New Braunfels. Amanda Jones and Amber Bracegirdle are vying for the District 6 position, and David Krawczynski, Kaila Stovall,. I am married to my wife Beverly for 36 years. Teachers in some cases are even overworked due to the high demand to meet their high standards. Collecting information regarding the budget, profit and loss potential. Updated I plan to have town hall meetings with anyone in the district who wishes to be heard. For the past two years, theComal ISDBoard has beenworking witha group of community members representing all areas of the districttodevelop abondpackage that allows the district to continue to addressnearly6,000new students who are projected to enroll in Comal ISD over the next five years. Their futures rely on the education they receive while attending Comal ISD schools. 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. Revenue generated by the VATREcould fund compensation increasesofup tothree percent annually over the next three to four years. Lauren joined Community Impact Newspaper as a reporter in October 2019. My passion and motivation to make a difference are my girls and their education. VisitVotetexas.govfor more information on how to register. I plan to keep a students first mindset in all decisions. 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. Elections will be held for Comal ISD District 1, 2, and 5. The next election for Board members is scheduled for May 6, 2023. For TPR's full Voter Guide, click here. 2005-2022 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved. 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. Incumbent Wes Clark is looking to defend his New Braunfels ISD at-large trustee seat. However, we need to ensure that there is equity throughout our schools. More students came back to in person learning when they saw how effective the precautions were. A keen eye must be kept on how our tax monies are being spent. Comal ISD Positions 1, 2 and 5all single-member districtswill be up for. My time as a teacher has been rewarding, exciting, and, at times, mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting. We need to keep expanding our programs to keep up with our rapidly growing district. Louie G. Luna, the only viable candidate for Harlandales District 3, won election by just 16 votes. 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. Zapata was disqualified from the race due to residency issues. 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. 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. One of the things that sets me apart from my opponents is that Im currently a teacher and still working with students every day. (Warren Brown/Community Impact Newspaper). How should Comal ISD handle its ongoing growth? Current New Braunfels ISD District 1 trustee Keith D. Smith will face off against Morgan Lindsey Armitage, who will appear as Morgan Renaud on the ballot, for the seat. Heath Pinkerton 21. These will be held outside of our regular board meetings. The candidate filing period is August 2-16, 2022. Updated Standardized tests should not exist. If successful, this issue will become the responsibility of each school district to decide on, potentially in perpetuity. This will lower maintenance and supply costs. Also seeking to win one of the at-large trustee seats, which are currently held by Clark and David Heefner, is Matthew D. Sargent. Masks are a simple and effective way to help provide that safety. Carey Watson Hildebrand will represent Place No. As for being an educator for 6 years, I have seen what works and what did not work in these other school districts. Also, Im a Latina this is important because the makeup of our board is not representative of our community. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. If elected, I intend to understand and communicate to constituents the districts efforts to close those gaps. Every Monday evening you'll get caught up with the top stories from the last week. Two incumbents and five challengers competed for three trustee seats on the Southwest ISD board. Click here to find out what district you are in. Keep it Clean. We have a daughter Carolyn who is a Pharmacist in Austin. For more information about the Comal County Elections, click here. 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,. Why or why not? One of the school boards primary responsibilities is to approve a budget. I would look at copying other school designs for expansions so we can reduce design and architecture costs. | School board terms are four years long. This allows me to literally Think Outside the Box when looking at solutions to problems facing the community and its educational requirements. Meet the Teacher, Orientation, & Open House, Lamar University Educational Leadership Program. Did not respond. Each trustee on the Board is elected separately from the single-member district in which he/she resides. Increasing teacher pay to keep teachers in Comal ISD would be a step in the right direction. Comal ISD is very reliant on homeowners to provide growth funding. Code 11.002. In comparison, Northside School District which has approximately 110,000 students and Northeast ISD which has 60,000 students can easily fit within the boundaries of Comal ISD and have a much denser and diverse tax base to support this higher student number to include businesses. 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. Being a teacher has always been my dream job, so Im thankful I am able to continue down this path. I am willing to collaborate and solve the challenges or stand in respectful opposition when I believe something is not in the best interest of the families of Comal County. 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. 7. 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. Comal County Isd District Map - Comal County Isd District Map - Locating a map of your county's district may be difficult. Last fall, current Board President David Drastata called the coronavirus the China virus in an athletic booster letter, a term criticized for contributing to anti-Asian rhetoric. FILE PHOTO: A vote sign sits on the curb at the Comal County Senior Center voting location Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 in New Braunfels. Would you like to receive our daily news? Do you think your district is doing a good job educating its students? Brittany Soto, 19, poses in front of Canyon High School in New Braunfels, where she graduated last May. We'd love to hear eyewitness Of adjoining school districts bordering Comal ISD, our teachers are number six in terms of compensation. It now has approximately 30,000 students. Early voting will take place Oct. 18-29. We will continue to lose teachers, and we will start to see students leave this district. I served in the Army Corps of Engineers with the 25th Infantry Division. 1, Did not respond. 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 Updated Please download the PDF file. Brittany Soto: District No. I believe I have a unique set of skills which will allow me to do that. Meet the Teacher, Orientation, & Open House, Lamar University Educational Leadership Program.
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