Jay Wilson’s e-mail critical of Cleburne ISD athletic director Phil Young was “a very small factor,” Wilson said Wednesday, in his decision to file for Place 7 in the May 8 Cleburne school board election.

Wilson said he made the decision to run last weekend and that he picked Place 7 instead of Place 6 because “there was no incumbent in Place 7, and I am somewhat a supporter of [Place 6 incumbent] M.J. [Larrison. Place 7 was open. There was an opportunity to run and maybe shed new light on some things.”

Thus far, his Place 7 opponents are Tolin Navarrete and David Callender. Larrison is opposed by Harry Shaffer, who filed Wednesday.

In his January e-mail, which the Times-Review received, Wilson said he believed a number of sports were being slighted by Young, the football coach as well as athletic director.

Wilson told the school board in February, “I’m sure some of you disagree with the way I handled this issue, but I believe you’ll agree there were issues that needed to be addressed. I’m here today to publicly thank [Superintendent] Dr. [Ronny] Beard for his response to our concerns. Dr. Beard held a parent meeting today to discuss these concerns. I attended the meeting and could not be more pleased with the way it went.

“Dr. Beard was very open and honest in listening and discussing the concerns. He agreed to address these concerns and see if any policy changes need to be made. I was very impressed with the way he honestly listened to each parent’s concerns. I would also like to thank [assistant superintendent] Dr. [Tim] Miller for attending the meeting.

“I would also like to thank Phil Young. I understand he is currently in the process of meeting with parent groups to give them an opportunity to discuss some of these issues. I also understand that he has already made some changes to the athletic policies.”

Wilson said Wednesday he has no regrets about sending the e-mail.

“No way,” he said. “It wasn’t a public e-mail. It was sent to people in my private e-mail [box]. I made it clear I didn’t know exactly what the issue was. I felt there probably was an issue. I think there have been some real positive improvements [since the e-mail]. Dr. Beard and Phil met with us to discuss policies and give us a chance to have our say. I’m pleased with Phil and Dr. Beard. That issue is being addressed in a genuine manner.”

He said concerns he expressed in the e-mail will not be a major part of his platform.

“They would be way down the list.”

Wilson said he had no specific problem with any decisions the school board has made.

“I would say that considering some of the circumstances, the board is going in the right direction. The board has helped get us through some important issues.”

Wilson said in a prepared statement, “My goal for the school district is for each student to have the best opportunity to succeed in life. I want our school district to be something the entire community can be proud of.

“Our philosophy in the [Little Dribblers] basketball program is to treat each and every child fairly no matter what school they attend. I would continue with that philosophy if I was fortunate enough to be elected to the school board.

“The only thing I can promise is that if I am elected, I will do my best to attend all board functions. I will try to keep myself informed in order to be a productive member of the board. I feel like my experience as a CPA would be beneficial to the board in these tough economic times.”

Wilson added Wednesday, “I don’t have any specific agenda except that.”

Wilson, a Cleburne High graduate, said he has never run for public office before.

“School board is the only office I’m really interested in.”

Single member districts, an issue brought forth by community watchdog Alden Nellis, is not a major issue for Wilson. Wilson, like Navarrete and Callender, lives in the Gerard attendance zone.

“I would like to listen to both sides of the argument,” he said. “I feel the people on school board do represent all the community.”

He said friends encouraged him to consider running.

“The way it came about is I got involved in Friends of Cleburne ISD with people involved in the district,” Wilson said. “I saw issues and needs. People whose opinions I take seriously encouraged me to run.”

Wilson said he knows Navarrete through their membership in Cleburne Rotary Club. He said he does not know Callender.

“I don’t know [Navarrete] real well, but from what I know through Rotary, he’s a good community servant. It is my understanding that he’ll be the new president of Rotary. I know what kind of responsibility that entails, and I admire him for that.”