Friday, May. 16, 2008

KISD election was close, not as heated

By SANDRA ENGELLAND

Although the election for Keller ISD trustees was much less contentious than last year’s race, the results were much closer.

"It was a tougher battle, a much closer race this year," said incumbent Lara Lee Hogg. "My opponent ran a good race."

In the May 10 election, Hogg won almost 56 percent of the vote, compared to challenger Charlie Youngblood. Hogg won her seat for Place 5 last year with more than 68 percent of the vote.

Hogg had the unenviable position of running for office two years in a row. Place 5 was up in a special election last year after trustee Jarrett Armstrong stepped down from the board. This year marked the regular end of the three-year term.

A year ago, trustees were fighting over whether to retain Superintendent James Veitenheimer, and several board members had filed complaints with the Texas Education Agency. Voters resoundingly endorsed Veitenheimer’s supporters.

This year’s turnout was much lower, with 4.24 percent of the 76,000 registered voters casting ballots, another reflection of a calmer election. Last year, 7.8 percent of voters participated in the board election.

Hogg said one of her main areas of focus would be on improving district technology and encouraging the integration of technology in the classroom.

"We have children getting up in the morning and plugging in," she said. "When they go to school, they unplug."

Craig Allen is the new face on the board. He defeated former trustee Richard Walker with 54 percent of the vote for Place 4. Walker served on the board from 1995-2005. Incumbent Scott Brown did not seek re-election.

Allen said he talked to a lot of voters while campaigning. He believes his positive message and background in higher education administration helped him win the election.

Allen is the director of student housing at Texas Christian University. He has also served on the Bond Oversight Committee and the Campus Education Improvement Committee at Bette Perot Elementary School, where he has a third- and fourth-grader. He also has a 2-year-old.

"Keeping the community informed is a priority, and I want to make sure we look at our growth and support our teachers and administrators and their plans," Allen said.

His experience dealing with large budgets and construction projects will be an advantage in assessing Keller school district needs.

Allen, his wife Shannon and their children moved to Keller in 2005 from New Jersey. "I love Texas. I love the warm weather, and, surprisingly, I’ve been a Cowboys fan since I was 7 years old."

Allen said he talks to a lot of district parents who have moved into the area from out of state and who may have varying ideas about public education. He wants to make sure the board addresses the concerns of new residents and of those who have lived in the area for decades