Friends–

I’m a public school kid, my husband was a public school kid, and our kids are public school kids. I’m also the daughter and sister of public school educators. The public school teachers who have influenced my life are too numerous to mention.

I’m working very hard to earn your vote, inspired by the tireless efforts of the teachers on behalf of our kids. I am, therefore, especially proud and humbled to announce that my campaign for the SMCISD Board of Trustees has received the endorsement of the San Marcos Educators Association/TSTA.

Thank you, teachers, for your dedication and commitment to the children of our district. Thank you for your trust and belief in me and my fellow candidates, Juan Miguel Arredondo and Toby Hooper. Public education is a community partnership and I am so very grateful for your support.

Yesterday, I toured our Pre-K campus, met with the Hays County Bar Association, traveled through the gorgeous Texas countryside to put up yard signs, kept the score book at my youngest son’s t-ball game, and then spoke with a group of SMHS parents. I left the house at 7:30 AM and didn’t get home until 11:30 PM. Lately, most of my days follow a similar schedule.

Someone on Facebook commented to me recently that I seem to be taking this school board election “very seriously.” I said, “You bet I take it seriously.” I take this election and the responsibilities of the school board seriously because I know that the board’s work helps shape the opportunities available for all our children and our entire town.

You bet I take this election seriously, and I am grateful for the many teachers, parents, taxpayers, small business owners, and retirees who are joining with me and taking it seriously, too.

–Anne

That’s my girl, Sadie. She is in 4th grade at Crockett. When I decided to run for the board, Sadie and I made a deal. She told me, “Mommy, if you are brave and run for the school board, then next year, I’ll be brave and run for 5th grade school council.” It was yet another humbling reminder that children learn what they live.

I have never run for public office before, but I am running in this election because I believe our district has a fiduciary responsibility to the community to ensure that all of our students are truly college or career ready.

I am running because I believe the school board must lead the district by example.

I am running because I believe it is important to engage more people in the decision-making processes that directly affect our families and community.

I am running because I believe in the promise of public education.

I am running because, as my mother would say, there comes a time when “you’ve got to put your money where your mouth is.”

I am running because our children can no longer afford business as usual.

High-quality public education is key to economic opportunity and prosperity. I want to see the school board held accountable for addressing equity issues across the district. We need to assess our current facilities and develop a long-term, cost-effective plan to keep class sizes to appropriate limits and prevent overcrowding in our schools. As the pubic school district in the fastest growing city in the country, San Marcos CISD must think strategically and develop a common sense vision for future growth and sustainability that draws on the wealth of resources in our area—including Texas State, an emerging research institution, as well as the many innovative small businesses in our community—in order to prepare all of our children for success in the global economy.

Over the last few weeks I’ve been to Travis, Mendez, Crockett, De Zavala, Bowie, Miller, Goodnight, and SMHS. I’ve also toured the Phoenix campus and the new athletic complex. I will be finishing my tour of the district campuses this week with visits to Bonham, Hernandez, and the SMCISD School Age Parenting Program.

If elected to the board, you can be assured that I will hold myself accountable to the taxpayers and teachers, as well as the students of our district. I have only to look into the eyes of my three children to know exactly how important this work is.

–Anne

It was a busy weekend as Mom on the Campaign Trail! On Friday night, I was honored to sit with the Tomblin Family Foundation at the annual CASA of Central Texas fundraiser. CASA has been serving Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, and Hays Counties for 30 years—and the Tomblins have been involved with CASA for 20 of those years. The work CASA does is amazing, and the need is so great. In 2014, CASA of Central Texas served 421 children with 220 volunteers.

On Saturday afternoon, my dad surprised us by arriving in San Marcos a day early! An appreciation for and commitment to community service runs deep in my family. My great-grandfather was a Presbyterian minister who instilled in our family a strong work ethic as well as a dedication to “worship through service.” In addition to being a public school educators, my dad and mom were among the folks who started a volunteer ambulance service in my hometown over 40 years ago. Dad is here in San Marcos for a couple of weeks to help us move into our new house and to catch a few of the kids’ ball games and violin recitals. My mom died a few years ago and in buying our new house, Jeff and I wanted somewhere that we could build a casita in the back so that my dad and Jeff’s parents can come down to San Marcos in the winter and spend lots of time with us and the grandkids.

As a stay-at-home mom, I spend a considerable amount of time reviewing homework, packing snacks, helping out in one of my kids’ classrooms, and serving as the family taxi to my children’s various activities. On Saturday mornings, I am frequently found on the sidelines of two or more baseball or softball games. This spring, all three of our kids are on a team. Jesse is playing t-ball, Charlie is playing coach pitch, and my husband is co-coaching our daughter’s kid pitch softball team. Sadie is the pitcher on her team and I’m the Team Mom. Our family is so grateful for all of the extraordinary volunteer coaches in this community teaching our kids not only the fundamentals of the game, but the value of team sports and good sportsmanship.

Later today, Dad and I will be joining the amazing community force that is Ms. Rose Brooks for a game of bridge with the seniors at the Activity Center and tonight I’ll be at the Gary Softball Complex for Sadie’s game.

If you see me around town, packing sacks for School Fuel, at the post office, at the little HEB, or in the school pick-up line, please stop me and say hi. I’d love to hear your thoughts on our school district—both what you think is working well and the ways in which you think we can work together to do better! I look forward to speaking with you soon. Thanks so much.

–Anne

The best part of this campaign has been meeting and speaking with the many parents and community members invested in the future of our schools. Over the past weeks, I have been listening with an open mind to teachers, parents, taxpayers, and administrators as they have shared with me both their SMCISD success stories, as well as their concerns. I have been conducting tours of each of our campuses and asking questions about the district’s 5-10 year strategic vision and financial planning. In the days leading up to the election, I will be sharing my perspective from the campaign trail, including what I have heard and what I think about the issues facing San Marcos CISD.

I will bring a fresh perspective and common sense voice to the board as I work to represent all of the families and community members invested in SMCISD.

With your vote on May 9, I will dedicate myself to giving all of our children the first-rate education they deserve.

Anne Halsey for SMCISD Board of Trustees At-Large on May 9
Putting kids first!