(Geronimo) — The four new Navarro ISD Board of Trustees have been decided.
Leading the race among the five candidates was Incumbent Dan Reinhard. Reinhard was the only incumbent running for re-election.
Reinhard led the race with 3,364 votes, followed by Jared Gallini with 3,101 votes, Kristen Green with 2,892 votes and Noah Webster with 2,411 votes.
Hillarie Forister, who did not earn a seat, finished fifth with 2,012 votes.
Reinhard, who led the race the entire night, says he is thankful for the amazing support shown throughout his campaign.
“First of all, thank you very much. To the voters, I’m very honored that they’ve trusted me with another 4 years. I’m looking forward to working with the new ones coming on, whoever they may be. And I look forward to having a wonderful time, just continuing the progress that we’ve done with the board so far,” said Reinhard.
Gallini, who finished second, says he too is excited and is thankful to all those who made it out to the polls.
“First off, I’m really thankful for the opportunity and the trust that the community has put in me. I am thrilled to serve and represent them on the board. I am really eager to go to work and to do my part in helping Navarro grow and be the best. If the numbers are correct (and) Ms. Forister ends up not making a seat, I personally want to say that I am very thankful for the time I’ve spent working with her and learning from her. She was a former teacher here at Navarro. A lot of the information that she has shared in her campaign is also gonna help me a whole lot as I sit there and be one of the voices in the room, hopefully helping teachers as well, so she ran a great campaign. I look forward to keeping our traditions and culture and chat, and being that voice in the room,” said Gallini.
Green, who followed third, says she can’t wait to get to work and is grateful for the opportunity to serve.
“I really appreciate it. You know, honestly, it’s been an exciting journey to do this. And so I really appreciate everybody’s vote of confidence, and I’m really looking forward to being able to get on the board. And, you know, joining in with everybody that is already part of the board and making sure that I can put some contributions out there and really benefit our school district,” said Green.
Webster, who secured the fourth and final seat, says he is honored by the vote of confidence and looks forward to Navarro’s future.
“I’m just grateful to the voters of the Navarro ISD. I’m still humbled to have earned the trust of the voters, and I really do appreciate and owe a deep level of thanks to those who helped put out signs, hung door tags, and asked the hard questions, and I’m really just ready to get to work,” said Webster.
Forister, who narrowly missed earning a seat, says she is still looking forward to supporting the district anyway she can.
“It’s disappointing for sure. With 5 candidates for the positions, someone was going to have to be the one that doesn’t make it, and that was me tonight. I appreciate the support I received from my fellow candidates, the current board members, and my fellow teachers and friends. It doesn’t go unnoticed. I will still be involved in all things Navarro; my girls are here. They are actively involved in lots of things, and you’ll see my face around, whether it’s on the sidelines cheering for them, whether it’s in the concession stands, watching a theater performance, helping out with UIL academics, watching our band go to the state competition next week on November 11th. All of it is super exciting. I just look forward to being involved still. And whether it’s on the school board or not, there’s a plan for me. But I fully support the board. I think we have 4 great candidates who have been elected, and I hope they continue to work well with the other 3 and with our superintendent, because they all bring great things and great perspectives to our board,” said Forister.
The election comes as the Navarro ISD Board of Trustees prepares for several changes. Longtime trustee Donna Gilliam, who has served on the board since June 2013, chose not to seek-reelection. Trustees Dr. Lacey Gosch and Joel Frederick also chose to step down following four-year and two-year terms, respectively.
The newly elected trustees will be sworn into office later this month.