Grassroots groups enter fray in Round Rock school board elections

Two groups led by parents, teachers and community members are raising funds and organizing for Round Rock school board candidates whose messaging fits their values and goals.

Over the past year, school board meetings have become increasingly contentious, both on the dais and among community members attending, over issues such as mask mandates, school curriculum and which books don't belong in school libraries.

Sixteen candidates, including five incumbents, are running for five seats on the Round Rock school board in the Nov. 8 election.

Leadership of both groups, Focus on Education and Access Education RRISD, say they want to improve the district.

Both groups say they are nonpartisan, but Focus on Education is endorsing three members of the Round Rock One Family, a conservative slate of candidates and none of the incumbents. Access Education is endorsing three of the incumbents and two candidates who they say represent the diverse community of the district.

More:Five Round Rock school board seats are up for election. Meet the candidates.

Access Education RRISD formed in November 2021. Meghan Roy, the group's treasurer, said the organization wants to help ensure all community members are represented.

Roy said the group is focused on bringing three issues to the board's attention: improving student outcomes, that parent voices are heard during meetings and ending the disruption and chaos in the district from political disruptors.

According to its website, the organization represents all races, religions and sexual preferences. The group has approximately 1,600 Facebook supporters, Roy said.

Known for its members wearing yellow shirts at board meetings, Focus on Education was founded in December 2021 and is focused on restoring academic excellence in the district, said its president, Eric Norbut.

The group values a return to sound curriculum, with a return to the basics, providing equal opportunity to every student, creating a respectful environment, community engagement, parent access and ensuring ethical, fair and transparent decision-making, Norbut said.

The group also provides resources on laws regarding Critical Race Theory and information on opt-in laws/parent consent for sex education.

Norbut said the group of about 100 members is dissatisfied with the district's leadership and the political infighting. He said the group will support candidates who will work to focus on improving student outcomes.

"We cannot afford to let our students languish while the incumbent trustees focus on their own political power struggles," he said.

Access Education endorsed Estevan Zarate for Place 1, Amber Feller for Place 3, Alicia Markum for Place 4, Amy Weir for Place 5 and Tiffanie Harrison for Place 6. Feller, Weir and Harrison are incumbents.

Roy said the candidates they endorsed will help bring the change they want, such as focusing on student outcomes, the efficient operation of the district, elevating the voices of the community and helping Round Rock become a destination district.

"The candidates we are supporting bring a growth mindset to the table," Roy said. "They have dialogues with the parents and are open to working with us to address the challenges and aspirations of this diverse community and the RRISD staff. We want teamwork to help our students succeed and not political play. The candidates we are not supporting haven't engaged with the broader community, haven't ever showed up for any student outcome workshops or community engagement opportunities."

Focus on Education endorsed John Keagy for Place 1, Orlando Salinas for Place 3, Linda Avila for Place 4 and Christie Slape for Place 5. Keagy, Salinas and Slape are part of a coalition of five conservative candidates vying for a seat in each race.

"Focus on Education advocates for a board of trustees who prioritizes student achievement, listens to and supports staff and teachers, and rebuilds Round Rock ISD into the destination district it used to be," Norbut said. "Our endorsement committee selected the candidates best equipped to provide the new leadership that RRISD so desperately needs."

Both organizations have raised money for their candidates through donations. Group leaders said the money is being used for phone, text and social media campaigns, and signs

Access Education has raised approximately $34,000 from donations since July, Roy said. Norbut said Focus on Education has raised $25,000.

More:Here is what you need to know about casting your ballot in Round Rock

Early voting for the Nov. 8 election runs through Friday.

During early voting and on Election Day, you can cast a ballot at any polling location. You can look up locations at teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do by entering your name, county, date of birth and ZIP code.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Grassroots organizations enter the fray ahead of upcoming RRISD school board election