January is School Board Recognition Month and RISD is celebrating its trustees for their dedication and commitment to Royal. Our Royal school board trustees work with Superintendent Rick Kershner to provide leadership and governance in support of the RISD Strategic Direction.
Join us at the Royal Administration Building at 6:30pm on Monday, January 8 to thank our trustees in person!
Trustees serving in Royal ISD are:
Scott Hartman
President, Position 1
Term: November 2022 - November 2026 (Also served 8 years previously)
Perla Aguilar
Trustee, Position 2
Term: November 2022 - November 2026
Cori Vahalik
Secretary, Position 3
Term: November 2022 - November 2026\
Jimmy Meader
Trustee, Position 4
Term: November 2022 - November 2026
Melissa Woods
Trustee, Position 5
Term: November 2020 - November 2024
Elton Foster
Trustee, Position 6
Term: August 1995 - November 2024 (Also served 9 years previously)
Rose Jones
Vice President, Position 7
Term: November 2016 - November 2024 (Also served 9 years previously)
The theme of this year’s School Board Recognition Month is Locally Elected, Community Connected, which highlights the connection between school trustees and their communities. School board members are the largest group of locally elected officials in the state. In addition to attending regular and special board meetings, trustees also complete required training sessions, meet with the district superintendent regularly, advocate for public education, and participate in district and campus events. Learn more about school board service at tasb.org.
More resources:
- Video: Role of a School Board
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Understand the Role of School Board Trustees
- Training Requirements
Dan Troxell, executive director of the Texas Association of School Boards, applauded the efforts of volunteer trustees in providing leadership and good governance so that school districts can focus on educating the 5.4 million public schoolchildren in their care.
“Texas school boards are so important because they bring a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of their local communities to their role,” Troxell said. “Boards lead their districts by providing oversight, setting goals, overseeing the budget, and selecting and evaluating the superintendent. These volunteers serve for the betterment of their communities.”
This is an exciting time to be a trustee in Royal ISD as the district's enrollment continues to grow and as the district works to implement the Bond 2023 projects. The bond projects will impact every Falcon student.
