Ten candidates are running for China Spring ISD’s three school board seats in the May 2 local elections, after last November’s special tax election piqued interest in the district’s operations.
Early voting runs April 20 to April 28 with a day off for San Jacinto Day on April 21. On Wednesday, the China Spring ISD Education Foundation will host a candidate forum at China Spring ISD Performing Arts Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Places 1, 2 and 3 all have competitive races, and only one of the races includes an incumbent. The Waco Bridge sent questionnaires to each candidate asking for positions on various school issues, and the responses are shown below.
China Spring ISD, a suburban school district with about 3,000 students, has seen growth slow in recent years, while increasing costs have caused financial struggles.
Voters in November narrowly approved a Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election that school officials said would cover an operating deficit of $1.2 million and prevent reductions in teachers and staff.
Under the VATRE, the tax rate dropped from $1.02 per $100 valuation to 98.2 cents because of state measures requiring tax cuts. If the measure had failed, the tax rate would have dropped an additional six cents.
In questionnaire responses to the Bridge, candidates were divided on the success of the VATRE measure, with some calling for more transparency from the district about how funds are spent.
Candidates also disagreed about the success of four-day-week school schedule that China Spring adopted in 2023 to attract teachers.
Candidates Brad Minnix, Frank A. McClellan and Connor Elliot did not respond to the Bridge questionnaire sent by email.
Place 1
Julie Daniel
Age: 38
Occupation: stay-at-home mom, former teacher
Civic experience: China Spring PTA executive board, 2023-present; volunteer at primary and elementary campuses; church youth leader since 2024.
What would be your top priorities as a board member?
I’m not running with an agenda. I’m running with a focus: students first and community trust always. My top priorities would be ensuring resources are directed where they have the greatest impact for students, while supporting teachers. I will also prioritize transparency, responsible budgeting, and strong communication between the district and community. Every decision should be centered on supporting students’ academic and personal successes.
Did you support the VATRE? Why or why not?
I supported the VATRE because I believe in adequately funding our schools and ensuring we can meet the needs of our students and staff. At the same time, I believe voters deserve clear, honest information about how funds are used and how decisions are made.
What are your thoughts on the shift to a four day school week?
I fall somewhere in the middle. Research shows that consistent, frequent instruction is critical for student success – especially in reading and math. I am also concerned about younger students being home an additional day without structured support. That said, I understand there may be benefits for certain groups, particularly at the secondary level, and for staff recruitment and retention. I believe this is a decision that should be approached carefully and thoughtfully, with a focus on what is best for student learning and overall well-being.
What enhancements would you like to see in the district?
There is always room for improvement, and I believe that mindset is essential for growth. I would like to see stronger communication and increased transparency across the district. Clear, consistent communication helps families stay informed, and transparency is key to building trust within our community.
Holly Dunham
Age: 53
Occupation: retired, former kindergarten teacher
Civic experience: China Spring ISD board of trustee, 12 years; China Spring ISD Education Foundation board, 14 years. Past experience as facilitator for Leadership Plenty, Junior League of Waco vice president, member of finance committee at First Methodist Church of Waco.
What would be your top priorities as a board member?
As our district enters a period of important transition, my top priority is to serve as a voice of experience and stability. With new board members joining this year, and likely more in the years ahead, as well as the search for a new superintendent in the next year or two, I am committed to guiding CSISD through these changes and welcome the opportunity to mentor the next generation of leadership. I will also continue advocating for public schools with our Legislature, specifically focusing on the needs of China Spring ISD.
Did you support the VATRE? Why or why not?
Yes, 100%. The state Legislature has continued to underfund public schools over the last several legislative sessions, despite significant inflation. We were able to balance our budget and provide high quality education with the funds we had for many years, holding out longer to pass a VATRE than virtually every other district in our area. We eventually reached a point where we had no choice but to either pass the VATRE or start making some really difficult decisions regarding staffing. I am so proud of our community for recognizing the need and supporting our efforts to pass the VATRE.
What are your thoughts on the shift to a four-day school week?
While it was not without struggles in the beginning, the four-day school week has been a great success for our teachers, students, and families. I’ll admit I was reluctant at first, but it has proven to be a successful model for our district. Parents, teachers, and students all report a better work/life balance compared to the five-day week. I fully support the continuation of the four-day week for China Spring ISD.
What enhancements would you like to see in the district?
I would love to see us continue to add Career and Technical Education programs in High School. We already have a diverse offering of CTE courses, but are always looking for opportunities to provide new paths for our students. I would also like to see the district continue Champions for China Spring, a program aimed at creating a culture of advocacy for our district. The goal of Champions is to identify people in our community interested in serving as a champion for the future of our district. I believe it’s a program that will have a lasting impact on CSISD.
Place 2
Ashlee Peacock
Age: 40
Occupation: Stay-at-home mom, previously worked in education as an administrator and in the classroom
Civic experience: Hubbard City Council
What would be your top priorities as a board member?
- Kids First! Always! Every decision starts with what’s best for kids – no matter what!
- Support and retain great teachers and staff by valuing them, paying them well, and creating a positive place to work.
- Be smart and transparent with money – use taxpayer dollars wisely and keep our community informed.
- Community voice matters by listening, asking questions and using the strengths of our community.
- Accountability & follow-through – doing what we say we’re going to do.
Did you support the VATRE? Why or why not?
I’m 100% for giving teachers and paraprofessionals raises—they deserve it. However, I didn’t vote for the VATRE because I had concerns about how funds were being managed. I believed then, and still do, that raises could have been accomplished by realigning existing resources. I haven’t seen all the financials beyond what’s public, and that’s where transparency matters. It would’ve been helpful to understand why other options wouldn’t work. The VATRE was presented as a way to fund raises, yet teachers haven’t seen that reflected, and an email after it passed shared that not all teachers would receive a raise.
For me, it comes down to accountability, transparency, and putting our staff and students first.
What are your thoughts on the shift to a four-day school week?
I have mixed feelings on the 4-day school week. On a personal level, I’ve seen benefits for my own kids – they enjoy the longer break, and it’s helped with things like late Thursday night track meets. I’ve also talked to several teachers who feel more rested and recharged, which matters. At the same time, I understand it’s not a perfect fit for every family. It can be tough for working parents who need that extra day of childcare, and for some students, school is a consistent, safe place they rely on. I think it’s something we have to keep evaluating and make sure we’re supporting all families, not just some.
What enhancements would you like to see in the district?
I’d love to see us continue to really take care of our teachers and staff – not just with pay, but making sure they feel supported day to day. When teachers feel good, kids do better. I also think we can do a better job with communication and transparency. We have so many smart people in this community, and I want to lean on that and keep people in the loop. I want every kid to feel supported – academically, emotionally, and in whatever they’re involved in. Overall, I just want us to be thoughtful with decisions, use what we have well and always keep kids first.
Place 3
Anthony Collier
Age: 39
Occupation: Senior loan officer at SWBC Mortgage Corporation
Civic experience: China Spring Education Foundation Board;, treasurer and coach for the China Spring Youth Athletic Association.
What would be your top priorities as a board member?
- Every decision we make should start with what’s best for the students. students front and center
- Support and retain great teachers. We are blessed with incredible teachers, and I want to make sure they feel supported, valued, and equipped to do what they do best.
- Protect and strengthen the China Spring community. China Spring is special, and I want to protect what makes it great while continuing to find ways to make it even better.
Did you support the VATRE? Why or why not?
Yes. I supported the VATRE. From my understanding, it was an important step in helping address budget challenges the district was facing, while also allowing us to invest in what matters most, our teachers. One of my biggest priorities is supporting and retaining great educators, and the VATRE helped provide raises that reflect how valuable they are to our students and community. At the end of the day, I supported it because it was about taking care of our teachers and making sure our district stays strong for the long term.
What are your thoughts on the shift to a four-day school week?
I do support the four-day school week. Based on district data, student performance hasn’t declined and may even be improving, which is what matters most. I believe the schedule gives students better balance and helps them come back more focused. It also provides teachers with valuable time for planning and preparation, which strengthens the classroom experience. I understand every family’s situation is different, so it’s important that we continue listening and evaluating. But overall, I believe this has been a positive move for our district.
What enhancements would you like to see in the district?
I’d like to see us continue building on what we already do well while being intentional about growth. That includes investing in our teachers with the resources and support they need, continuing to improve safety and security across campuses, and expanding opportunities for students. This can be anything from academics, career pathways, or extracurriculars. I also think clear communication with parents and the community is key as we grow. China Spring is a special place, and I want to make sure we enhance what we have while staying true to our values.
Jesse Gaston
Age: 44
Occupation: Business Owner
Civic experience: Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network Foundation board. Previous board member for Connally ISD Education Foundation and CASA of McLennan and Hill counties.
What would be your top priorities as a board member?
- Strong fiscal governance with community tax dollars
- Alternative funding for the ISD
- Transparency with all matters concerning the students and community
Did you support the VATRE? Why or why not?
I did not support the VATRE. I am not for additional taxation on rooftops in our community.
What are your thoughts on the shift to a four-day school week?
I am not for the 4-day school week. With both parents working and added daycare costs, it puts a strain on lots of households. This program also results in longer school days, so for the children who play sports, homework and bedtimes have been pushed back, in some cases, to after 10 p.m.
What enhancements would you like to see in the district?
I would like to see continued investment in our students and programs important to their success, including enhancements to the special education and mental health resources for our students. I would like to improve the communication between the district and families of our community. While this is not everything, this is a good starting point.
Joseph L. Hopkins
Age: 45
Occupation: Program supervisor with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Civic experience: Homeowner association board member, roadie for the China Spring Band Boosters, multiple positions with the China Spring Youth Athletic Association and China Spring Athletic Boosters.
What would be your top priorities as a board member?
My top priority is supporting and retaining the people who make education possible, high-quality teachers and staff. They are the foundation and driving force behind student success at China Spring ISD. In addition, I would focus on maintaining academic excellence and preparing students for real-world success, ensuring safe and supportive learning environments, and ensuring responsible financial stewardship with honest and complete transparency. Every decision should reflect a balance between student outcomes, teacher support and accountability.
Did you support the VATRE? Why or why not?
I carefully considered the VATRE and understand both perspectives. While additional funding can support teacher pay and programs, it is equally important that the district demonstrates strong financial accountability, transparency and efficiency.
Yes, I supported the most recent VATRE because it provided critical funding necessary to maintain the level of education ourcommunity expects and that our students deserve. Investing in our teachers is investing directly in student success. We must remain competitive and show that we value the people who are in the classroom every day.
What are your thoughts on the shift to a four-day school week?
I am open to a four-day school week if it helps attract and retain quality teachers while maintaining strong academic performance and includes a clear measure of success. Teacher recruitment, retention and morale are critically important.
What enhancements would you like to see in the district?
I would like to see continued investment into our teachers and staff, as they are the foundation of everything we hope to achieve. I would like to see enhancements in teacher support and compensation, stronger career and vocational education opportunities, strong and effective communication between the district and the community, and facilities that keep pace with growth. Ultimately, every enhancement should point back to the same principle: equipping our educators so they can best serve our students.
Noey Meza
Age: 52
Occupation: teacher at Connally ISD
Civic experience: Co-Chair Community Race Relation Coalition; former board member of Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; voting member of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
What would be your top priorities as a board member?
Teacher pay raise and support for all extracurricular activities.
Did you support the VATRE? Why or why not?
Yes, the educators at CSISD deserve the best.
What are your thoughts on the shift to a four-day school week?
I love it at the current school I work at. We have every other Friday off.
What enhancements would you like to see in the district?
Would like to see more STEM involvement in the classroom.
