Mesquite ISD

An Individual is eligible to be a candidate for a Texas School Board if the individual:

• is a United States citizen;
• is 18 years of age or older on the first day of the term to be filled at the election or on the date of appointment, as applicable;
• has not been determined by a final judgment of a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote;
• has not been finally convicted of a felony;
• has resided continuously in the state for 12 months and in the territory from which the office is elected for six months immediately preceding the following date:
  • for an independent candidate, the date of the regular filing deadline for a candidate's application for a place on the ballot;
  • for a write-in candidate, the date of the election at which the candidate's name is written in; or
  • for an appointee to an office, the date the appointment is made;
• is registered to vote in the territory from which the office is elected on the date described above; and
• satisfies any other eligibility requirements prescribed by law for the office.

Tex. Elec. Code § 141.001; Tex. Educ. Code § 11.066.

The Texas Education Code imposes additional requirements:

• To be elected to a school board, an individual must be a qualified voter: 18 years of age or older, a U.S. citizen, a Texas resident, a registered voter, not determined to be totally or partially mentally incapacitated by an appropriate court, and not finally convicted of a felony. Tex. Educ. Code § 11.061; Tex. Elec. Code § 11.002.
• A person is ineligible to serve on a school board if the person has been convicted of a felony or an offense under Texas Penal Code section 43.02(b) regarding prostitution. Tex. Educ. Code § 11.066.

• Internet Posting Requirements for Political Subdivisions
• Notice of Deadline to File An Application for Place on the Ballot, Cities, School Districts, and Other Political Subdivisions 

May 2024 Election

• Bruce - Appointment of a Campaign Treasurer
• Bruce - Candidate Campaign - 1st Report
• Bruce - Candidate Campaign - 2nd Report
• Carbo - Appointment of a Campaign Treasurer
• Carbo - Officeholder Campaign - 1st Report
• Carbo - Officeholder Campaign - 2nd Report

What does the board do?

• Adopts comprehensive district goals
• Adopts Board policies
• Hire and evaluate the superintendent
• Adopts a budget and sets the tax rate
• Build public support and represent the district to the public

Important points to keep in mind:

• Board members represent all citizens of a district (elected at-large; no single-member districts)
• The Board has authority only as a body, not as individuals.
• The Board does not get involved in the day-to-day operations of the district. That is the superintendent’s role to manage.
• Board members are not paid for their service.
• Board members are elected officials.

What is required of a board member?

• 3-YEAR terms (staggered)
• Monthly Board Meetings/Workshops
• One-On-One Monthly Meetings with the Superintendent
• Attendance at District Events

Required trainings for board members

• Open Meetings Act (within 90 days)
• Texas Public Information Act (within 90 days)
• District Orientation (60 days)
• Texas Education Code (3-hour session within the first year)
• Team of 8 Session
• Additional 10 hours of training (during the first year)