Time running out to file for school board elections

By Philip Navarrette/Staff Writer

March 11, 2007 02:17 pm

— As the final days to declare intentions to run for school board seats in the May 12 election approaches, more people have filed for the available positions, though some open positions remain with no candidates as of Friday morning.
Cleburne ISD school board Vice President Brad Mead is going up against challenger Teresa Blackwell, who ran in the last school board election, for the board’s Place 7 seat. Incumbent board member Brad Allen also filed his candidacy to defend his Place 6 seat. Places 6 and 7 are the only spots up for election this year.
Places are also filling up in Johnson County school districts, but most spots have candidates running unopposed or are open for candidates.
In Burleson, three unopposed races have emerged. Incumbent Tim Cline has filed for re-election. Beverly Volkman-Powell, mother of Mayor Ken Shetter, is looking to keep Claude E. “Bobo” Badgett’s Place 6 seat. She filled the spot after he vacated his position last year. Challenger Michael Ancy filed for incumbent Charles Kirk’s seat. Kirk has decided not to seek re-election.
In Godley, incumbent board members James McGehee and Brett Neill both filed for re-election. The two seats are the only GISD contests in this year’s election.
In Joshua, all school board incumbents that are up for re-election have filed for candidacy. Board President Randy Watson, Secretary Myra Pruitt and incumbent Paula Palmer seek to retain their board seats. Each runs unopposed.
In Alvarado, incumbents Kelly Price and Ted Dossey have filed for re-election. Vice President Jim Bosley is not running for re-election, and no one has filed for his Place 1 seat.
Two seats are up for election in Rio Vista. Challenger Joe Gilbert filed his candidacy bid, while incumbent board members Jackie Mears and Bart Martin have yet to file.
In Grandview, President Clint Ishmael and incumbent Scott Tekell have filed for re-election. Newcomer Carolyn Neff also filed her candidacy for the at-large vote.
Keene ISD holds its school board elections in November, in conjunction with the city’s election.
The last day to file for candidacy in any of the May school board elections is Monday.

Philip Navarrette can be reached at
817-645-2441, ext. 2337,
or reporter@trcle.com.