Mansfield ISD school board candidates state their cases

By Amanda Rogers

Mansfield Record

With only one local contested election, voters will not have to spend long in the polling booth.

The Place 7 seat on the Mansfield ISD school board is the only local race that drew two candidates: incumbent Courtney Lackey Wilson and Michele Gooch. Incumbent Benita Reed was the only candidate to file for Place 6 on the school board, which was also up for election.

The Mansfield City Council canceled its election after both seats up for election only drew a single candidate. Incumbent Todd Tonore was the lone candidate for Place 6, while retired Mansfield ISD Superintendent Jim Vaszauskas is the single candidate for Place 7.

The Mansfield Record asked both candidates for the Mansfield ISD Place7 seat the same set of questions about their campaigns and below are their answers in their own words.

Early voting will run April 20-28 before the May 2 election. Click here for polling times and locations.

Wilson, a business owner, has been elected to the Mansfield ISD school board five times. She had to resign in 2021 due to health reasons, but was re-elected in 2023. She has previously served as school board president. She has lived in the school district for approximately 45 years.

Gooch is a leadership coach and trainer who has lived in the Mansfield ISD for 11 years.

List your relevant experience in the Mansfield ISD (work, volunteer, etc.)

Gooch: My experience with the ISD is rooted in both personal connection and community involvement. I’ve had the opportunity to be present on campuses, support school initiatives and engage with educators and families. I recently enjoyed reading at Erma Nash Elementary and baking cookies with the PTA at Summit High School. I’ve volunteered in a variety of areas across Mansfield including the Jobs for Life program at Mansfield Mission, HIM Food Bank and Allies in Youth Development. I spend a large portion of my time volunteering with Women’s Alliance – an organization that raises funds for female scholarships and grants for women-owned businesses. I’m also present at school board meetings either in person or online. Perhaps, most importantly, I hear from a large number of parents and teachers who are in the middle of MISD education. These experiences, combined with my professional work developing leaders and teams, have given me a deep appreciation for the daily realities teachers and students face and the importance of strong, thoughtful leadership at the district level.

With the Legislative Leadership Committee, it's been fascinating to see all of the bills that impact education and the struggle the districts have in either implementing them or funding them or both. It's an eye-opening experience.

Wilson: I was employed by Cedar Hill ISD (retired), Certified Teacher, RTSBA Certification with TASBO(for business office admin), Multiple Campus PTAs and PTA Boards, Mansfield Cares Board, Children’s Ministries for First Methodist Mansfield, Region 11 Board of the Year (twice), HEB Board Recognition (twice), Bond Committees (before being elected), Board Trainer/Mentor.

Why would you be the best person for the Place 7 trustee position?

Gooch: I bring the perspective of a leader who understands that education is both a system and a human experience. My background in developing leaders and strengthening organizations allows me to look beyond short-term decisions and focus on long-term impact. The skillset I bring includes the ability to navigate complex situations, use diverse perspectives to find best solutions and the capacity to get really curious asking questions that get us to root causes and issues. I’m committed to helping our district thrive by supporting educators, addressing real challenges and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Wilson: The district faces challenges in all areas. We have a great mix of new and experienced board members, but we also lack the time to slow down. My experience and knowledge will be valuable assets in helping us move forward. We have already begun working with the new superintendent to establish goals, expectations and accountability for everyone. I have the resources and connections to continue addressing the district’s needs with the legislature. Relationships matter, and I am a strong advocate for teacher retention. I recognize the benefits of experienced teachers and paraprofessionals, and their contributions to our students and mentoring/training new staff members. I bring consistency and stability to the district.

The Mansfield ISD is facing some financial hardships. Please explain how the district can overcome this.

Gooch: Mansfield ISD’s financial challenges require both disciplined stewardship and strong advocacy. First, we must ensure resources are aligned to what impacts students most—protecting classrooms, supporting teachers and prioritizing student learning and well-being. Second, we should evaluate operational efficiencies without placing additional strain on educators. And regularly review programs and initiatives to ensure they are delivering measurable value for students. Finally, we must actively advocate at the state level for adequate and equitable funding so districts like ours can meet growing demands. Transparency with staff and families will be key in building trust as decisions are made. This is not a one-time fix, but a commitment to responsible, student-centered decision-making.

Wilson: We have already begun identifying areas that can help fill the budget deficit. We stand strong that no cuts or changes will impact the classrooms. Students and teachers remain our top priority in all our budget decisions and every decision. The district has diligently worked for years, recognizing that some changes take time to implement and strives to be proactive rather than reactive. This week, we will begin meetings with trustees, the CFO and the superintendent to prepare for the upcoming budget.

Additionally, there will be a district-wide Budget Committee in the upcoming school year, where community members can also participate in making the best choices for our district.

What is your position on the new statewide school vouchers?

Gooch: I support strong public schools and believe public education funding should be used to strengthen public schools. I understand that families want choices. Choice matters— MISD is already delivering on that promise through STEM academies, fine arts programs and dual language opportunities. These pathways allow students to pursue their interests while remaining part of a strong public system. A voucher program shifts resources away from these valuable offerings. My focus is on strengthening and expanding choice within public education so every student has access to opportunity.

Wilson: I have never supported school vouchers and never will. Prior to the approval of vouchers, the entire board issued a resolution expressing our disapproval of them. For many years now, our board has prioritized advocating for our district, statewide districts and public schools. We continue to contact Austin in various ways to achieve this goal.

Should the school board review all reading material before it is introduced into the school libraries?

Gooch: School boards play an important governance role, but reviewing every individual book is not the most effective use of that role. The board should ensure there are clear, transparent policies in place for how materials are selected, reviewed and, when necessary, reconsidered. Educators and librarians are the experts. They are trained to make age-appropriate selections, and parents should have a voice through established processes. My focus would be on strong policy, transparency and accountability—not micromanaging individual titles.

Wilson: No and we don’t. There are legal and local policies regarding this topic. Librarians have “scoring” systems that they use when making purchases. These systems are then submitted to the administration, and the list is forwarded to the board for approval. If there is a book of concern on the list or is currently in the library, parents or guardians have the opportunity to file a challenge.

What should be the primary focus of the Mansfield ISD school board members in the next three years?

Gooch: Over the next three years, the primary focus should be on three areas:

1)Student outcomes: closing learning gaps and supporting both academic achievement and student well-being,

2) Supporting and retaining high-quality educators by reducing unnecessary burdens and strengthening the conditions in which they work, and

3) Long-term financial stability: making responsible, student-centered decisions while advocating for adequate state funding.

When those three areas are aligned, everything else improves.

Wilson: There are several budget concerns that will remain a focus. Teacher and student retention are important to me. Additionally, protecting our students and their learning, and ensuring that our staff has the support and necessary resources to perform their jobs effectively, are also priorities. While all staff deserve better pay, particularly our teachers and paraprofessionals, Special Education needs significant attention for various reasons. Technology, safety and security remain top priorities for the district, as they are constantly evolving and require ongoing attention. Our bond program is substantial, and we are grateful for the community’s support in enabling us to care for what we have. We will continue to be the best stewards we can be for our community.