WACO, TX — The Waco ISD trustees decided to fill two vacancies on the school board by appointment at their meeting Thursday night.
The trustees had the option of calling a special election in November, but wanted to fill the vacancies before the board begins reviewing applications from candidates to become the district's next superintendent on June 24.
“The decision about Waco ISD’s next superintendent is easily one of the most important decisions that this board will make,” newly elected board president Angela Tekell said. “Every neighborhood, every family deserves to be represented on the board when we make that decision. Filling these vacancies by special election would have left the seats vacant until long after the superintendent search has concluded.”
Individuals interested in being considered for an appointment to either the at-large seat representing the entire school district or the position representing Trustee District 3, should submit a letter expressing their interest no later than May 31.
Letters can be emailed to board@wacoisd.org to sent to the board's attention at 501 Franklin Ave.
To be eligible to be appointed, a person must be a U.S. citizen, be 18 years of age or older, have resided in Texas for the past 12 months and have been registered to vote for the past six months in the area that the individual will represent.
The board will hold a special meeting on June 3 to review letters from individuals interested in one of the appointments and have scheduled a meeting on June 5 to interview candidates.
This comes after two Waco ISD school board members resigned within one week.
Pat Atkins, the former president of the school board, resigned from his position after 17 years.
Larry Perez, former trustee, resigned citing health problems.
Both individuals appointed will serve until May 2020.
