(Geronimo) — Navarro ISD is taking a new approach to help community members make informed decisions before seeking a seat on the district’s Board of Trustees.
For the first time, the district will host a School Board Candidate Orientation, giving anyone considering a run for the board an opportunity to learn about the responsibilities, expectations and time commitment of serving before the filing period officially opens.
Navarro ISD Superintendent Dr. Mandy Epley says the orientation is designed to help prospective candidates understand exactly what the role entails while also allowing those who are eventually elected to receive credit toward their required state training.
Epley says the district wants potential candidates to begin learning about the position before they ever file for office.
“We are having an orientation for candidates who would like to consider being school board members. They’re required 3 hours of local training once they do become board members. And so, we’re offering a two-hour training prior to filing that would count towards those hours to really understand what it is to be a board member,” said Epley.
The orientation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, in the Navarro Junior High Library, located in the former high school building at 6350 N. State Highway 123.
Epley says while many people may be interested in serving, they often don’t realize the level of commitment required until they’re already in the position.
She says serving on the board requires much more than attending monthly meetings.
“Like any opportunity, no one truly knows what it is until you’re in the role. But it is such a vital volunteer role for a community member that we want them to be very well aware of what being a board member is. What are the responsibilities? What is my role? What is the superintendent’s role? How do we communicate? What is the time that is expected of the role? There’s a lot of research and reading that has to happen before each monthly meeting. Sometimes our board packets are over 1000 pages long and it’s a arduous responsibility, but a very important one in local control,” said Epley.
Although Epley has always welcomed one-on-one conversations with interested residents, she says this marks the district’s first organized effort to guide prospective candidates through the process.
Epley says the district wants everyone considering a run to have the information needed to determine whether serving on the board is the right fit.
“In the past, I’ve always been open for anyone to come in and just meet with me one-on-one about what it does look like to be a board member. But this is our first organized opportunity to really take people and walk people through what is that process of being a board member? What’s the responsibility? They have 90 hours as a new board member of required state training on top of the three local hours with the district. So it is a huge responsibility. And As I like to say, they’re doing that all from the goodness of their heart because there is no pay for being a board member. And so, we’re excited about making sure that everyone in the community that’s interested has the facts about being a board member,” said Epley.
Navarro ISD will hold its Board of Trustees election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters will elect four at-large trustees to four-year terms running from November 2026 through November 2030. Board members whose terms are expiring include Donna Gilliam, Dan Reinhard, Dr. Lacey Gosch and Joel Frederick.
The filing period for candidates opens July 20 and closes at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 17. Applications may be submitted in person, by mail, email or fax through the Navarro ISD Central Office. District offices are closed on Fridays during July.
Candidate applications, eligibility requirements and additional election information are available on the Navarro ISD website.