The Boards regular monthly meeting is scheduled for September 16, 2021, and the Trustees could vote to extend the requirement at that time if conditions warrant. overflow-x: scroll; } Five seats on the Round Rock Independent School District school board in Texas were up for general election on November 8, 2022. He said parents are more concerned about the quality of education their children are receiving and what they may be missing due to restrictions of books. She said community members have told her they are worried about student success and well-being. [2] The 1776 Project PAC, which endorsed conservative school board candidates all over the country, endorsed the slate. "This experience will enable me to keep the district's focus on setting our kids up for success in the modern competitive world.". Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Both groups raised thousands of dollars, according to campaign finance reports. A partir del mircoles 18 de agosto, se requerirn mscaras temporalmente en todas las escuelas e instalaciones de Round Rock ISD, luego de la aprobacin de la Junta de Fideicomisarios durante su reunin convocada el 16 de agosto. Bone and Weston voted no. Masks may be removed for activities during athletics, fine arts, and physical education classes if deemed appropriate by the coach, director or instructor. } z-index:1; CRT DEFENDER TELLS PARENTS HE'S GOT 1,000 SOLDIERS LOCKED AND LOADED, SOME SEE IT AS THREAT. "I know the RRISD is not the destination district it once was," she said. Operations: Meghann Olshefski Amanda Herbert Mandy Morris Kelly Rindfleisch The district served 49,086 students during the 2017-2018 school year.[5]. .mw-content-ltr td.votebox-results-cell--text, padding-left: 10px; Our teachers educate and support more than 50,000 students, pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Photos provided via Jeremy Story. border-radius: 50%; Round Rock ISD school board approves pay raise for all employees The Round Rock ISD school board voted to approve a pay raise for all employees. } Vessa, who is seeking her second term, said the biggest issues the district faces are teacher retention and learning loss from COVID-19. Seventeen people have filed to run for the five seats in the Round Rock school district's board of trustees election in November. Weston also claimed that "multiple trustees were plotting a censure attempt as far back as July and most blatantly pre-meditated on September 9," even though all the counts in the censure resolutions concerned events between Sept. 13 and Sept. 16. resignation over the summer of Trustee Jun Xiao. Starting Wednesday, Aug. 18, masks will temporarily be required at all Round Rock ISD schools and facilities, following approval by the Board of Trustees during their Aug. 16 called meeting. We understand that this development may affect families decisions regarding in-person learning. "The censure resolutions would strip us of the powers and duties bestowed upon us by the voters and would violate the law," Weston told Fox News. color: #fff; .results_row td:first-child { Tiffanie Harrison, 36,also will be seeking reelection for a second term in the Place 6 seat. width: 35px !important; A judge has temporarily blocked the Round Rock school board from voting on whether to censuretwo of its members untillateNovember, when another court hearing on the matter is scheduled. News and Announcements . Saying they are in support of trustees Mary Bone and Danielle Weston, who have had a contentious relationship with the rest of the board since they were elected in 2020, a slate of conservative candidates known as Round Rock One Family is running on a platform that calls for more oversight of library materials, the teaching of biological male-female differences and not gender identity, and the prevention of critical race theory from being taught in taxpayer-funded schools. In September, Azaiez's contract was extended for a year with an incentive and performance bonus of $28,900. "I believe we should invest time and resources into creating inclusive school communities," she said. We must look at the science, listen to the experts, and do what is right to protect them. (Round Rock ISD, Jeremy Story), "The Texas Open Meetings Act states that the public must have full access to board meetings," Weston previously told Fox News. Weir and the other trustees filed a motion challenging the court's jurisdiction on the issue, and a hearing on that question is scheduled for Dec. 22. Bone and Weston have long been at odds with the other five board. width: 50px; 312 Following. padding-bottom: 0px; 0:27. They have lived and served around the country as officers on active duty. "I am seeking to be elected as a trustee to continue serving the city I selected to raise my family in and the school district I chose to assist with educating my children," he said. School districts | You can look up locations at teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.dobeginning two days prior to the start of early voting by entering your name, county, date of birth and ZIP code. font-size: 16px; This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Five Round Rock school board seats are up for election. Jeremy Story and Dustin Clark removed from meetings of the Round Rock ISD school board. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. School board shakeups:Round Rock Trustee Jun Xiao announces intent to resign. overflow: hidden; Joshua Billingsley, a 40-year-old business intelligence analyst had filed to run but has suspended his campaign. } Saying they are in support of trustees Mary Bone and Danielle Weston, who have had a contentious relationship with the rest of the board since they were elected in 2020, the group is running on a platform that calls for more oversight of library materials, the teaching of biological male-female differences and not of gender identity, and the prevention of critical race theory from being taught in taxpayer-funded schools. width: 90%; Even so, Lambeth ruled there was "a substantial threat of irreparable harm" without the temporary order, "the reputational harm and inability of Plaintiffs [Bone and Weston] to fulfill their obligations as Trustees. El requisito no es efectivo durante las clases de atletismo, bellas artes y educacin fsica a menos que el entrenador, director o instructor lo considere apropiado. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. .results_row td { font-size: 20px; The filing deadline for this election was August 22, 2022. margin-top: 16px; He said he believes he is the best candidate because of hisprofessional success. Credit: Round Rock ISD and Shauna Kinningham. } News tips can be sent to: tyler.oneil@fox.com. .mw-body #mw-content-text th.votebox-results-cell--text { Weir says her experience on the board and in leadership positions makes her the best candidate. Meet the candidates. August 21, 2006. 2:26. The filing deadline for this election was August 22, 2022 . Students and staff have the option to remove their masks while seated in cafeterias and staff lunch rooms and while outdoors. Tyler O'Neil is an editor at Fox News. U.S. President | Along the course of the four-minute video, title slates list the frequent talking points of the five conservative candidates trying to unseat . Incumbents Weir and Harrison said they were both confident they would win re-election. If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you. "I totally believe that it was a coordinated attack, to reverse the election, and to silence anybody that has a voice thats similar to ours. background-color: #f9d334; According to his campaign site, his focus is to enhance safety and security issues throughout the campuses, improve academic proficiency in the lower performing sub-populations district-wide, and to standardize reasonable and reliable systems across learning communities. The results have been certified. Bone and Weston have long been at odds with the other five board members over issues ranging from mask mandates in schools to the hiring of Azaiez as superintendent in June 2021. "It is my hope that the voters of Round Rock ISD are paying attention and that they will vote to continue the proud tradition of our district," Zarate said. The Place 3, 4, 5 and 6 seats will be decided in a general election as those trustees' terms are ending. width: 350px; background: #4c4c4c; Click here to learn more about the newsletter or to read archived editions. The Round Rock Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the budget for the 2023-2024 school year. padding-left: 0; font-style: italic; School board members Mary Bone and Danielle Weston filed alawsuit in September against the otherfive board members, askingfirst for a temporary restraining order and thena permanent injunctionona censure vote scheduled to be taken against the two women. Slape, a former teacher and professional organizer, is challenging Amy Weir, the current board secretary, for the Place 5 seat. The winner will be up for reelection in 2024. September 18, 2006. . The details that get released may be subject to a ruling by the Texas attorney general's office if the district appeals to the agency for an opinion. color: #0645ad; Feller said she is the best candidate because of her experience. Resources, time, money, and manpower of the board of trustees should only be expended on the education of students, not political attacks on trustees. In order for an item to appear on the agenda, only one trustee and the board president must agree so the resolutions' presence on the agenda did not guarantee that they would have passed at the Sept. 22 meeting, Vessa said. Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends everyone older than the age of two wear a mask in schools regardless of vaccination status. A coalition of five conservative candidates known as Round Rock One Family are aiming to sweep the five Round Rock school board seats up for election on Nov. 8. As of the 2020-2021 school year, Round Rock Independent School District had approximately 50,953 students, 3,537 teachers, and 58 schools. All of the One Family candidates have raised between $29,000 to $33,000. That history includes a trustee's. The latest story in Round Rock Independent School District (roughly 20 miles north of Austin) began last month when the school board arbitrarily restricted citizens from a public meeting about mask mandates and taxesonly allowing 21 seats in a room with a capacity of 375. padding-bottom: 8px; Estevan Zarate defeated John Keagy, incumbent Kevin Johnson Sr., and Yuriy Semchyshyn in the special general election for Round Rock Independent School District Place 1 on November 8, 2022. Conforme el ambiente de salud pblica contina cambiando rpidamente, debemos estar dispuestos a adaptarnos y tomar decisiones para proteger a nuestra comunidad, ya que sabemos que los cubrebocas son una herramienta esencial para reducir la propagacin del COVID-19. } top: 2px; This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. by William . Williamson County 425th District Judge Betsy Lambethfirst granted a temporary restraining orderon Sept. 22 when the lawsuit was filed. Click here to view or fill out the survey. font-style: italic; He added thatschool board electionsalso are becoming increasingly partisan and ideologically charged. How to run for office | "I peacefully left the 14 Sep 2021 RRISD board meeting because the school police were used to prevent members of the public from entering our meeting.". On Twitter: @Tyler2ONeil. Public policy. In total, the One Family candidates have raised between $21,000 and $24,000 in non-monetary contributions. complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. display: block; "I am a product of Round Rock ISD schools and a two-time teacher of the year who has had incredible success in teaching all children," Harrison said. "During a time of unprecedented challenges, I listened to stakeholders and transparently made data-driven decisions that consider all valid needs and concerns, and find balanced solutions," she said. El requisito expira el 17 de septiembre de 2021. During early voting, you can cast a ballot at any polling location. Harrison, 36 and the school board vice president, received 47,811 votes in the Place 6 race. Harrison has brought in a total of $45,565 while Zimmerman has raised $31,782. background-color: #dac113; Former Austin City Council Member Don Zimmerman, 62, has filed to run against her. The resolutions cited numerous laws, claiming Bone and Weston violated them by raising objections to the limited seating capacity on Sept. 14. } It said Weston has been anticipating signing her sons diploma when he graduates in May. She said that despite threats, she will continue to make hard decision. Four of the seats were up for regular election to four-year terms, and one seat was up for special election to a two-year term. Legal Statement. 36 earlier this year, which prohibited schools from issuing a mask mandate, Centros para el Control y la Prevencin de Enfermedades, Programa de Aprendizaje Virtual del Distrito. The resolutions came just days after two fathers got arrested for allegedly disrupting school board meetings, including that Sept. 14 meeting. 0:04. A divided board The Round Rock school board in recent years has been marked by accusations, lawsuits and censure motions. left: 0; Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA No. Claire Osborn Austin American-Statesman 0:00 0:31 A judge has temporarily blocked the Round Rock school board from voting on whether to censure two of its members until late November, when. Semchyshyn, one of the two Place 1 candidates who is not a coalition member or the incumbent, said he isn't worried about the coalition's donations or that of any of the other candidates. The school board comprises seven trustees, each elected at-large for four-year terms. In the Place 1 race, coalition member Keagy, along with Yuriy Semchyshyn and Estevan Zarate, are seeking to unseat Kevin Johnson. .results_row.winner { On Sept. 14, Round Rock . La reunin mensual regular de la Junta est programada para el 16 de septiembre de 2021, y los Fideicomisarios podran votar para extender el requisito en ese momento si las condiciones lo justifican. Linda Avila, 53 and an educational diagnostician, was third with 17,020 votes, while Place 4 incumbent Cory Vessa had 6,430. Jeremy Story getting escorted out of a Round Rock ISD school board meeting. According to her campaign website, her priorities are to focus on core academics, compensating teachers, advocate for marginalized communities and to cut unnecessary spending. font-weight: 300; "Children are not red or blue, yet we have people and PACs from hyper-partisan extremism groups seeking to influence our local election from outside of our area," she said. .votebox-covid-disclaimer { As with elsewhere in the state, . FAIRFAX COUNTY PARENTS DEMAND SCHOOL BOARD RESIGN AFTER DOUBLING DOWN ON PORN IN SCHOOLS, "When they arrested Jeremy and Dustin, that was Friday. margin-bottom:16px; Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees President Amy Weir, Jeremy Story and Dustin Clark removed from meetings of the Round Rock ISD school board, Georgia parents of transgender children challenge state's ban on sex reassignment surgery for minors, Trump takes aim at 'crooked' Biden student loan plan after Supreme Court decision: 'Trying to buy votes', Hunter Biden's lawyer explodes at Ways and Means Committee for 'obsession' with DOJ investigation, Texas Rep Wesley Hunt challenges 'woke' corporations with 'American Pride Month' legislation. He said parents also are concerned about the superintendent, property taxes and the safety of students. width: 100% !important; In April, aWilliamson County judge dismissed a lawsuit that Weston and Bone had filed against the other board members over proposed censure resolutions. } Don Zimmerman, 62, a former Austin City Council member and a high-tech systems engineer, is running against her. Trustee Amy Weir also voted in support of the agreement but did notmake a comment about her decision on Tuesday. .non_result_row th { width: 100%; Four of the seats were up for regular election to four-year terms, and one seat was up for special election to a two-year term. Alicia Markum defeated Jill Farris, Linda Avila, and incumbent Cory Vessa in the general election for Round Rock Independent School District Place 4 on November 8, 2022. She said parents have reached out to her with concerns about their children's safety, and mental and behavioral health. We arent going anywhere.". Replies. Round Rock ISD serves Central Texas students in Round Rock, Austin, and parts of Cedar Park, Texas. Five candidates were members of conservative coalition called Round Rock One Family that sought to take control of the board, but none won. @RoundRockISD. Farris, a homemaker is challenging Cory Vessa for the Place 4 seat. "And I am ready to return to a learning-focused agenda, get parents back in our schools and make students the priority once again.". The One Family candidates have raised more in non-monetary contributions than any other candidates. Keagy, a member of the conservative Round Rock One Family, says he is the best candidate for the seat as he is a natural problem solver and will work to ensure that schools and students are the priority for the board. Research: Josh Altic Vojsava Ramaj Incumbent Tiffanie Harrison defeated Donald Zimmerman in the general election for Round Rock Independent School District Place 6 on November 8, 2022. "The people in our district are tired of frivolous litigation and continued manufactured disruption," she said. "It's time to abandon distractions and focus on providing a bright future for all our students.". My ultimate responsibility is the health and welfare of our students. display: table; Johnson, the Place 1 incumbent, said it would be dangerous if the conservative coalition gains a majority on the board. left: 0px; Newcomers Estevan Zarate and Alicia Markum defeated incumbents Kevin Johnson and Cory Vessa. text-align: center; Local health authorities from Travis and Williamson counties, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommend that students, staff, and visitors wear masks at school to mitigate current community spread of COVID-19, particularly considering the diseases heightened transmission and infection rate primarily caused by the more transmissible Delta variant. Round Rock ISD. If successful, the One Family candidates John Keagy, Orlando Salinas, Jill Farris, Christie Slape and Don Zimmerman would create an all-conservative school board. width: 50%; } According to . The decision to finalize the report means that peoplecan make a public information request to the district for the document, school board members said. Dozens of students walk out of class to demand more COVID-19 precautions, Round Rock Trustee Jun Xiao announces intent to resign, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. According . } On Sept. 14, Round Rock ISD police remove Dustin Clark from a school board meeting. ", Jeremy Story getting escorted out of a Round Rock ISD school board meeting. OFFICIAL BOARD MINUTES: ***** RRC Anti-Bullying Policy ***** July 17, 2006. Board members Jun Xiao and Tiffanie Harrison, who also voted against the separation agreement,did not comment on Tuesdayabout why they were opposed to it. Updated: Nov 7, 2022 / 07:15 PM CST. Johnson was appointed to the seat on July 25 following the resignation of Trustee Jun Xiao. Salinas, a chief financial officer at Zoom Contracting and Consulting, is challenging board President Amber Feller for the Place 3 seat. Ballotpedia features 409,905 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. Currently, local and federal health officials emphasize that masks are the most effective strategy to reduce the chances of transmission and slow the virus spread. The Round Rock school board in recent years has been marked by accusations, lawsuits and censure motions. "They are literally grasping at straws here to come up with something," she said. The $534 million budget includes a pay raise for teachers and employees -- about . Because the school board members are public officials they also have immunity from being sued "for performing their duties in good faith within the scope of their authority," said the court filing.
