Candidates and Incumbents Compete in Local School Board Elections Across Multiple Regions

Candidates and incumbents are seeking education-board positions in several local elections. In Fort Bend ISD, an incumbent running for re-election says the priorities are student achievement, safe schools, strong staffing, public engagement and advocacy for public education. Four candidates are competing for three six-year seats on the Jackson College Board of Trustees, though one candidate did not answer the voter-guide questionnaire. In South Bend, three candidates are competing for the District 1 school-board seat, while races in Districts 2 and 5 are uncontested. No election is needed in Clinton, where the mayor and all council seats were filled by acclamation, or in British Columbia’s Gold Trail school district, where all seven incumbent trustees were acclaimed.
The Fort Bend ISD incumbent said she initiated a student-engagement survey in 2022, and described surveys, public comment at board meetings and volunteer committees as ways for residents to contribute to decisions.
South Bend Community School Corporation serves nearly 13,000 pre-K–12 students and is governed by a seven-member board: five trustees elected by district and two elected at-large.
In South Bend, the District 1 incumbent, Kate Lee, is not seeking re-election; District 5 board president Dr. Stuart Greene is also not running, with John Paczesny the sole District 5 candidate.
Clinton’s council field was completed after the filing deadline was extended: three incumbents had filed for four seats, and newcomer Jessica Lawrence filed by the extended deadline.
Jackson College candidate Matt Heins said he was motivated to run by his own experience at the college, where small classes and dedicated professors shaped him, and by a desire to support future students.
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