Trustee candidates face off: Granbury ISD forum highlights (Part 1)

This is the first of a two-part series covering the candidates vying for the Granbury ISD board of trustees’ Place 3 and Place 4 positions.

The Granbury Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidate forum Monday, Oct. 7, at the Lake Granbury Conference Center. Candidates for Place 3, Tim Bolton and Bret Deason, and Place 4, Courtney Gore and Jaci Lopez, presented their platforms and answered questions.

Holly Martin, interim president of the Granbury Chamber of Commerce, introduced the forum’s moderator, Eric Morrow, an associate professor at Tarleton State University.

Morrow, who has a background in nonprofit work, specializes in civic learning and democratic engagement and has made significant contributions to programs that promote student success and retention at Tarleton.

CANDIDATE INTRODUCTIONS

Courtney Gore is seeking re-election to Place 4 on the Granbury ISD school board, a role she has held for the past three years. She is the mother of four, all attending Granbury ISD schools. “I am extremely committed to our schools in Granbury because I have kids in the school district,” she emphasized.

With a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Western Governors University and membership in Kappa Delta Pi, one of the largest honor societies for educators, Gore has taught across multiple grade levels, math and science, and preschool programs for children with disabilities.

Currently, she serves as an office manager for a growing agricultural company, where her leadership has doubled sales in her first year. Gore is also a founding member and former Family Rights Advocacy board member, a board member of the Granbury Education Foundation, and an active participant in numerous committees, such as the GISD Strategic Planning Committee and the Legislative Action Committee. “I will continue to serve our community with integrity for the next three years, just as I have done the last three.”

Jaci Lopez is running for Place 4 on the Granbury ISD school board. A resident of Hood County for 11 years, Lopez is a homeschooling mother of four children, all educated at home since her oldest was in third grade. “I was a Texan born in the wrong state,” she joked about her move from California, adding, “We got here as fast as we could.”

Lopez’s experiences include being a former business owner and the wife of a long-haul truck driver, providing her with firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing working families. Her leadership roles include serving as a former parliamentarian for the Hood County GOP Executive Committee and as a current precinct chair, making her well-versed in parliamentary procedure and governance. “I understand Robert’s Rules of Order and how to be a board member,” she noted.

Despite not finishing college, Lopez bought textbooks to study philosophy, government, and history to continue her education. As a delegate to the National Republican Convention, she also has experience in advocacy and representation.

Bret Deason is running for Place 3 on the Granbury ISD School Board, bringing 18 years of local experience and a commitment to education. He is a business owner in Granbury and husband of a public school teacher. “It is imperative that we support our public education system because the Constitution dictates it,” Deason stated, emphasizing the importance of Article 7 of the Texas Constitution, which mandates education for all citizens.

Deason and his wife, Tracy, have two children: a son, a Texas A&M University graduate and flight instructor who started his aviation journey at Granbury ISD by building and flying a kit plane, and a daughter, a freshman at Tarleton State University.

His platform focused on removing politics from education and shifting the focus back to students and teachers. “Too much politics has gotten in the way over the last three years,” Deason said. “It’s time to get our focus back on student outcomes and supporting our teachers.”

Deason strongly advocated for transparency in finances and education. He believes parents should have easy access to their children’s curriculum and a straightforward process to address concerns with the school board. He also brings years of service on the Hood County Children’s Charity Board and the Algebra Squad scholarship committee.

Tim Bolton is running for the Granbury ISD School Board, Place 3. A self-described “fiscally conservative education partner,” Bolton is determined to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and efficiently. “We spent $93 million last year of your property tax money, and I think we need to focus back on getting that where it belongs — on the things that matter.”

Bolton is a staunch advocate for limiting government growth, he noted, “If there’s one thing that government does well, it’s growing government. They tax and spend and tax and spend. I believe government is accountable to the people, and I want to represent you. I want your voice to be heard,” he stated.

His platform centered on supporting teachers. “I want to equip teachers with the tools they need, reward them with competitive pay, and give them the recognition they deserve,” Bolton said. He believes putting resources directly into the classroom, where “teachers meet students,” is key to improving educational outcomes.

“I want to earn your trust as a trustee, and I want to demonstrate what it means to be trustworthy,” he promised.

DEFINE THE ROLE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL IN GRANBURY

Courtney Gore emphasized that the primary role of Granbury public schools is to serve all children, providing them with the best educational opportunities regardless of their home environment or academic standing.

“It is our job to get them where they need to be academically,” she stated, highlighting the importance of closing educational gaps and creating a safe, healthy learning environment. Gore also stressed the need to provide high-quality teachers and to partner with community organizations like United Way to support students beyond the classroom, ensuring their well-being at home.

She explained that public schools offer more than academics, addressing essential needs like weekend food programs for children in difficult circumstances. “It’s more than just academics,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of connecting students to their schools and showing them better opportunities. Gore credited her own success to public school educators and shared, “If it wasn’t for public school educators, I wouldn’t be sitting here in front of you.”

Jaci Lopez highlighted the importance of public education in shaping the future of Texas and the nation. She referenced the mission of the public education system, which aims to ensure all children have access to quality education, allowing them to achieve their full potential and fully participate in the state and country’s social, economic, and educational opportunities.

Lopez emphasized that children are the future of our nation, and how they are taught today will directly impact the future of policies, the economy, and legislation. She noted, “How we teach them and how well we teach them is literally the future of our nation.”

Bret Deason emphasized Granbury ISD’s vital role in fulfilling its constitutional duty to provide quality education. He shared that many students come from difficult backgrounds but that every one of them mentioned a school teacher in their essays, reflecting the positive impact of educators.

Deason highlighted the unique opportunities offered by the district, including more than 23 different certifications students can earn. “Not all of them are going to go to college,” he said, “but a lot of them are going to go into the workforce.” He believes these certifications help prepare students to become productive citizens.

Tim Bolton reflected on the profound impact of his own education, crediting great teachers who invested in him and became lifelong friends. He described these educators as “family” and expressed a desire to bring that same experience to the next generation of students.

Bolton shared the educational paths of his children, noting that his son was the first alumni graduate of Happy Hill Farm, his second son graduated from Granbury High School, and his third son is currently a senior there. He said, “I want to bring you my best.”

WHAT STRENGTHS, KNOWLEDGE, OR QUALITIES DO YOU BRING TO STRENGTHEN THE BOARD AS A WHOLE?

Bret Deason believes he possesses the following qualities and strengths he will bring to the school board:

• Relationship-building skills: Experience in sales and owning his own business has honed his ability to develop relationships and work collaboratively, even with those he may disagree with.
• Employee evaluation experience: As a business owner, he has experience evaluating and hiring employees.
• Budget management experience: Deason has significant experience running a budget.
• School board meeting experience: He has attended school board meetings for four years.
• Community involvement: Actively engages with students, even after his children have graduated, by volunteering, attending events, and speaking at school programs.
• Commitment to supporting students: Demonstrates a hands-on approach by regularly attending events and showing up at convocation and student activities.

Tim Bolton believes he possesses the following qualities and strengths he will bring to the school board:

• Principled leadership: A strong, conservative foundation driven by integrity and responsibility.
• 35 years of corporate experience: Background in IT, legal, contracts, and management.
• Budget management expertise: Extensive experience managing budgets, payroll, and resources.
• Employee empowerment: Emphasis on empowering and supporting teachers and administrators.
• Customer satisfaction focus: Committed to serving students and parents, recognizing them as “customers,” and striving to meet their needs.
• Investor engagement: Acknowledges the importance of taxpayer trust and ensures that their interests are prioritized.
• Fiscal responsibility and transparency: Focus on government accountability, ensuring that all activities are managed with transparency and financial responsibility.

Courtney Gore believes she possesses the following qualities and strengths she will bring to the school board:

• Experience as a former public school teacher: Deep understanding of teachers’ daily challenges, including the pressures from legislative demands.
• Parental perspective: Firsthand experience as a parent with children in public school.
• Educational background: Insight into the teacher and student experience within the school system.
• System and process implementation: Expertise in creating and streamlining systems in the business world and school board operations.
• Community engagement: Strong ability to listen to and implement community feedback.

Jaci Lopez believes she possesses the following qualities, strengths, and knowledge she will bring to the school board:

• Parliamentary experience: Served as a former parliamentarian, will bring knowledge of parliamentary procedures to the board.
• Home education expertise: Extensive experience homeschooling her four children, often teaching multiple grade levels at once for more than 13 years.
• Early childhood education experience: Helped prepare her oldest child for kindergarten at an early age.
• Insight into teacher challenges: Personal experience with family members in teaching roles, understands the struggles teachers face, such as paying for classroom supplies out of pocket and dealing with bureaucratic hurdles.

PREVIOUS BOND ELECTIONS HAVE FAILED. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WERE OUTLINED IN THESE BONDS?

Tim Bolton addressed this question by criticizing the assumption that the community could be asked for more money without first addressing their concerns. He pointed out that previous bond proposals did not clearly address the critical needs, leading to voter distrust.

Courtney Gore countered that the needs outlined in previous bond proposals are still pressing and have not diminished. She explained that the community must regroup and support new bond initiatives to build a school needed for the district’s growing student population. Gore emphasized the importance of community engagement in crafting a plan that aligns with local needs.

Jaci Lopez expressed skepticism regarding future bonds, stating that the community needs a fair and transparent evaluation of its needs before any proposal is made. She stressed that it is essential to understand the demographic shifts occurring in Granbury, questioning whether the growth is among families with children or primarily retirees.

Bret Deason reiterated the importance of addressing community growth with accurate data and engaging with developers to understand the types of housing being built. He noted that the school district must anticipate growth, as failing to address capacity through bond proposals would leave the district lagging behind. Deason acknowledged that the maintenance of aging buildings will also become a significant issue as the district grows.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE OF THE GROWTH OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND WHAT IDEAS WOULD YOU BRING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES RELATED TO GROWTH?

Courtney Gore emphasized that addressing large capital expenses in Granbury ISD will require a bond election, but this can only happen after hiring a new superintendent and completing a demographic study.

“The more informed and engaged our community is, the better educational opportunities we’ll have for our kids,” she said. Gore believes community involvement is crucial, and she is committed to fostering this by gathering input and creating a comprehensive plan that everyone can support.

While larger class sizes and portable classrooms may be temporary solutions, “Increased classroom sizes are not what’s good for kids, as it leads to teaching challenges and worsens behavior issues,” she said.

Jaci Lopez expressed concerns about Granbury ISD’s growth, questioning whether the district’s expansion is driven by an increase in students or retirees. She noted, “Enrollment has actually grown by just over 200 students over the last four years.”

Lopez believes the district should first conduct a fair and transparent evaluation of existing resources before considering new construction. She also emphasized the uncertainty surrounding future policies, such as school vouchers, stating, “We need to see how that’s going to affect Granbury ISD before we start pushing another bond on the taxpayer investors that may not want it.”

Bret Deason discussed the challenges Granbury ISD faces with growth, including overcrowding, outdated facilities, and rising maintenance demands. He stressed the importance of considering the type of housing being developed, saying, “If they’re building starter homes, it’s going to result in more kids. If it’s multi-million dollar homes, there will probably be fewer kids.”

He also pointed out the urgency of passing a bond to build new schools, adding, “If we don’t pass a bond to build a school, it’s a two-to-three-year process.” Deason emphasized the need to find ways within the district’s annual budget to address the growing maintenance issues as the district’s buildings age.

Tim Bolton addressed Granbury’s growth, highlighting that the increase in population may not translate directly to more students in classrooms. He pointed out that while student projections may predict growth, external factors such as the potential impact of school vouchers could alter those numbers.

Bolton noted, “Retirees move to Granbury,” and questioned why the district assumes it will be any different from others in Texas, where many districts are closing campuses due to declining student populations. He added, “The clientele ... are older citizens who don’t have 2.1 children per household.”

VOUCHERS — WHAT IS YOUR ROLE OR POSITION ON THIS IN TERMS OF HOW IT WILL IMPACT GRANBURY ISD?

Jaci Lopez’s position on school vouchers:

• Acknowledged Gov. Abbott’s push for universal school vouchers, noting his confidence in securing the votes for it.
• Stated that the exact details of the vouchers or educational savings accounts remain unclear, as they are yet to be defined by the Texas Legislature.
• Maintained an open stance, saying, “I am not for or against vouchers” due to the uncertainty surrounding what will be proposed.
• Emphasizes the importance of understanding the potential impacts on Granbury ISD and suggests making GISD an attractive district by improving pay so families are less likely to take vouchers elsewhere.

Bret Deason’s position on school vouchers:

• Criticized the voucher program, likening it to “Obamacare for Education,” calling it a government program that diverts taxpayer money without accountability.
• Referenced the South Carolina Supreme Court’s decision to strike down its voucher program and highlighted concerns over its constitutionality.
• Pointed to Article 7 of the Texas Constitution, which mandates providing free public education, suggesting that vouchers contradict this provision.
• Advocated for improving public education within the existing system rather than diverting funds to a voucher program.

Tim Bolton’s position on school vouchers:

• Supported vouchers, viewing them as part of a free-market system where students and parents become consumers of education services.
• Claimed vouchers will push schools to become “the very best” to attract students and their funding.
• Disagreed with the idea that vouchers will harm public schools, stating, “a rising tide lifts all boats,” meaning both public and private schools will improve in response to competition.
• Opposed government involvement in the voucher program, fearing that it would come with too many “strings attached.”

Courtney Gore’s position on school vouchers:

• Personally opposed to school vouchers but acknowledges the uncertainty, stating, “Just because they’re saying it’s inevitable doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.”
• Emphasized that public tax dollars must be accompanied by public accountability, with transparency and standards for education.
• Acknowledged the concerns of homeschool and private school families about government involvement but stressed the need for accountability if public funds are involved.

WHAT MOST IMPORTANT QUALITIES WILL YOU BE LOOKING FOR IN A NEW SUPERINTENDENT?

Bret Deason: “First thing I’m going to be looking at is how they treat their staff and interact with their students and their teachers as well. Do they support the programs that the teachers need?”

“How that superintendent acts towards our community is going to be very important. Also, what is their vision for a growing school district, and how do we address the needs there?”

Tim Bolton: “I want to look for somebody who has experience as a superintendent or at least a school administrator. I think they need to come with that experience and background.

“I think that they need to reflect as well the community, this community’s conservative ideal.”

Courtney Gore: “They have to have great communication skills. If they can engage our community, get our community involved in our schools, and keep our parents engaged in their children’s education.”

“Making sure that they have financial aptitude ... improving student outcomes ... Are they able to hire the right people to drive instruction ... to improve student outcomes.”

Jaci Lopez: “Someone who wants to empower teachers to do what they do best, and that’s educate ... let them teach in the way that they need to teach so that we are improving our test scores at GISD.”

“I want to see strong leadership development ... developing leaders around you ... someone who reflects the community’s values ... and understands that whenever we’re educating students, it is vital that we’re teaching them about personal liberties and civics.”

The Granbury Chamber of Commerce’s candidate forum allowed local residents to hear directly from those running for the Granbury ISD board of trustees, Place 3 and Place 4. This article covers the event’s first half, with candidate responses to initial questions. Part two, featuring more responses from the candidates, will be available next week. Stay tuned for continued coverage of this crucial election for Granbury ISD leadership.