Two new directors will take the helm of Texas’ second-largest school district, which is working to improve student outcomes and manage Dallas ISD’s approximately $1.9 billion budget.
Lance Curry and Ed Turner led unofficial early voting in Districts 1 and 9, respectively. Both men had the support of the outgoing incumbents.
Curry, who hopes to represent Northwest Dallas, is a partner at a law firm and has two children in the district. She is running against Maureen Milligan, a nonprofit field director, and Chris Roberts, who works in information technology.
Curry said if he wins, he wants to focus on outcomes and prioritize children, including better information about students’ lives after graduation. It will help build a stronger pathway to college and a career, he said.
“There are still thousands of children who are not where they need to be,” he said.
Turner, a father and volunteer with DISD, is an insurance broker and is running against three other candidates. Oralia Alonso is a parent instructor and liaison for Ann Richards STEAM Academy. Da’On Boulanger-Chatman, Garland ISD art teacher. and community organizer LaKashia Wallace. They aim to represent South Dallas, along with parts of Downtown, Pleasant Grove, Deep Ellum, Uptown and East Dallas.
If no candidate reaches 50% of the vote, a runoff election may occur.
Dan Misiche, who represents District 3, which includes northeast Dallas, ran unopposed.
University of Dallas election results
Dr. Catalina Garcia is leading against challenger Edwin Flores for the University’s District 1 seat, which includes North Dallas and Lake Highlands, according to early unofficial results.
Flores, 57, a biotechnology patent attorney and longtime Dallas ISD board member, did not seek re-election to the board’s District 1 seat in order to run for UT Dallas.
Mr. Garcia, 86, took over the position in 2022 following the death of local business leader J.L. “Sonny” Williams, a retired physician and longtime board member. His term was scheduled to expire this year.
Kesha O’Reilly, a medical strategist and pharmacist, was leading an unofficial early return to represent much of south Dallas.
She is running against former Dallas Planning Commission member Jasmond Anderson and nonprofit board member Joey Rodriguez. DeAndrea Fleming, an education consultant who has served on the DeSoto ISD board since 2018, announced she was withdrawing from her race, but remained on the ballot.
The winner will take over the seat from longtime trustee Charletta Compton. Mr. Compton has served on the board for nearly 25 years, but he is not seeking re-election.
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