By Steve Southwell

Early voting is well under-way, but I've been fairly busy this election season with work and travel, so I'm just now getting around to figuring out who I will vote for in the Lewisville ISD school board election. I'm sharing my thoughts here for what they are worth. If you have thoughts, please leave a comment.


Place 3 - Shoven vs. Welding
In place 3, Paige Shoven and Mark Welding are going for an open seat. The two seem to have similar views on most issues, though Shoven has articulated hers in much more detail in answers to our candidate questionnaire. Both candidates think that our current state-mandated standardized high-stakes testing regimen is too much. Both candidates support LISD's request to opt out of the state system. Both candidates support LISD's lawsuit (along with hundreds of other districts) against the state over school funding, and although neither was explicit about the adequacy argument, Shoven came closest - mentioning the Texas constitutional right to public education, while Welding seemed to be more about the management and distribution of the funding.

Both candidates support LISD's strategic plan, though Shoven has participated more in it, and elaborated more on her response.

Both have a fairly impressive list of volunteer experience and involvement in the community and district. To me, the edge here goes to Shoven, because she has been involved, and actively advocating for Lewisville kids for several years - especially with regards to the sensitive issues around rezoning. Shoven has been a fixture at board meetings, and has not been afraid to speak up when she feels the need. Shoven also participated in INSIDE LISD, which is an educational program that allows citizens to get the inside nuts and bolts of how the district works. Don't get me wrong here; Welding has been attending board meetings for a year, and his volunteer experience is extensive, and very charitable.

A history of voting in local, state, and national elections can indicate a candidate's dedication as a voter. Especially with local elections, it demonstrates that the candidate or officeholder has made an effort to stay informed and involved.

On the other hand, recent voting history after some time not voting could indicate an "awakening" of sorts. We leave it to our readers to decide how much a strong voting history means to them, but we think it's one piece of the puzzle.

In this table, we've listed the voting history of all current candidates for the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees, as well as those Trustees who are not up for re-election this year:

The Lewisville Texan Journal invited all candidates for the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees to complete a questionnaire so that we and our readers could understand their experience, qualifications, and points of view. We will present each candidate's answers in full in their own articles here.

General Info

Candidate:	Dr. Mark Welding
Office Sought:	LISD Board of Trustees, Place 3
Campaign Website:	www.Welding4LISD.com
Facebook:	www.facebook.com/DrMarkWelding
Occupation:	Optometrist and owner of Welding Eyecare in Highland Village.
Education:	High School: Sioux City, Iowa College: Iowa State University University of Houston School of Optometry – Doctor of Optometry Other:

The Lewisville Texan Journal invited all candidates for the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees to complete a questionnaire so that we and our readers could understand their experience, qualifications, and points of view. We will present each candidate's answers in full in their own articles here.

General Info

Candidate:	Jared Brueckner
Office Sought:	LISD Board of Trustees, Place 4
Campaign Website:	N/A
Facebook:	Jared Brueckner for LISD School Board
Occupation:	Vice President of Business Development at the National Math + Science Initiative
Education:	High School: Weber High School College: "Weber State University AA - General Studies BA - Technical Sales and Service" Other:

The Lewisville Texan Journal invited all candidates for the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees to complete a questionnaire so that we and our readers could understand their experience, qualifications, and points of view. We will present each candidate's answers in full in their own articles here.

General Info

Candidate:	Kris Vaughn
Office Sought:	LISD Board of Trustees, Place 4
Campaign Website:	www.KrisVaughnForLISD.com
Facebook:	Kris Vaughn for LISD Place 4
Twitter:	VaughnForLISD
Occupation:	Community Activist - not employed outside the home
Education:	High School: Iowa College: Des Moines Area Community College - Ankeny, Iowa Administrative Secretarial Diploma - 1986 Central College - Pella, Iowa B.A. Business Management - 1990 Other: Texas PTA Life Member Award

The Lewisville Texan Journal invited all candidates for the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees to complete a questionnaire so that we and our readers could understand their experience, qualifications, and points of view. We will present each candidate's answers in full in their own articles here.

General Info

Candidate:	Ryan Collinsworth
Office Sought:	LISD Board of Trustees, Place 5
Campaign Website:	N/A
Facebook:	Ryan Collinsworth for LISD School Board
Occupation:	Real Estate Broker with Keller Williams.
Education:	High School: Lewisville High School College: NCTC 1993 to 1997 Associates of Science Blinn College 1997 to 1998 University of Texas Austin 1999 to 2001 University of North Texas 2013 Business Other: Real Estate Broker

The Lewisville Texan Journal invited all candidates for the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees to complete a questionnaire so that we and our readers could understand their experience, qualifications, and points of view. We will present each candidate's answers in full in their own articles here.

General Info

Candidate:	Paige Shoven
Office Sought:	LISD Board of Trustees, Place 3
Campaign Website:	www.paige.shoven.com
Facebook:	http://www.facebook.com/PaigeShovenforLISD
Occupation:	Optical Manager for JCP Optical
Education:	High School: Longview ISD, Longview TX College: Kilgore College 95-98 general studies TWU 98-00 studied interdisciplinary studies. Other: I was planning on teaching middle school math, however, after student teaching and substitute teaching, I realized I would not be able to keep my opinions, my paycheck and my children tied so close together. It would not be good for my family. Having worked in the optical industry all through college, I took a management position where I can do the work I love and have flexibility to volunteer in my children’s schools.

The Lewisville Texan Journal invited all candidates for the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees to complete a questionnaire so that we and our readers could understand their experience, qualifications, and points of view. We will present each candidate's answers in full in their own articles here.

General Info

Candidate:	Brenda Latham
Office Sought:	LISD Board of Trustees, Place 5
Campaign Website:	www.Latham4LISD.com
Facebook:	http://www.facebook.com/Latham4LISD
Occupation:	Senior Project Manager (VP) supporting Strategic Business Projects for Citi Group.
Education:	High School: Lewisville High School College: I have attended North Central Texas College and Northlake College completing courses in Business Computer Information Systems. Other: I have completed more than the manditory hours of continuing education, required by the State of Texas, for School Board Members each of the three years I have served. I do not have a list of all the names of courses I have completed through Texas Association of School Board Members (TASB) or The Center for Reform of School Systems (CRSS).

The Lewisville Texan Journal just received this statement from Lewisville ISD regarding a threat to Hebron High School that was resolved early this morning:

Hello, this is Scot Finch, principal of Hebron High School. I’m calling to inform you that campus administrators were notified late yesterday evening about a threat to the school. Administrators acted quickly, notifying Carrollton Police Department and school resource officers. An investigation quickly revealed a lone suspect, who was apprehended early this morning. We worked closely with Carrollton Police on the investigation and immediately implemented emergency plans to assure your child’s safety.

There will be increased police presence at Hebron High School and Hebron 9th Grade Center throughout the day. As always, we will keep you informed of any updates regarding the situation.

Again, your child’s safety and security is top priority at Hebron High School and Hebron 9th Grade Center. Should you have any questions, please contact me directly.

Thank you.

for everyone who wants to know who i am i will be in the main hallway at 8:10 sharp upstairs with a 9 milimeter sharpshooter gun! Its about time hebron got shot up! R.I.P Hebron! Mr Buckles is first!

Jared R. Brueckner, 33, of The Colony filed today to run for Place 4 on the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees. A native of Utah, Brueckner has lived in the district for nearly three years. Before that, he lived in Boston, Massachusetts.

Brueckner works as a Vice President of Development for the Texas based non-profit, the National Math + Science Initiative. NMSI works to promote and transform math and science education in America. Brueckner cites his experience with the organization as an asset, saying that he has worked extensively with schools and districts in 43 states, and at every level, K-12. Brueckner says he has worked with teachers and policy makers on bringing about change.

“My goal is to make LISD the best school district in the state”, says Brueckner, “I work closely with some of the very best school districts in the country. Bringing that experience and knowledge to the table to help Dr. Waddell and the district is why I’m asking the community to support me. When we get things right the kids win, and that is always the goal.” Brueckner says he is passionate about education and passionate about giving kids the best education possible.

Bruecker has worked for NMSI for two years; prior to that he worked for Pearson Education, the company that develops and scores the standardized tests for the State of Texas.

Brueckner and his family live in The Colony, where his son attends Morningside Elementary School. Brueckner has a Bachelor of Arts in Sales and Service Technology from Weber State University, in Utah.

Place 4 is the seat currently held by Julie Foughty, who has announced she will not run again. Flower Mound resident Kris Vaughn has also filed for place 4.