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With students as their primary focus, the members of the Hays CISD Board of Trustees are responsible for the policy direction and governance of the district. The Hays CISD Board of Trustees is composed of seven members. Five trustees are elected from single-member-districts and two are elected at-large. Trustees are elected to serve three-year terms. They serve without compensation and work diligently to ensure the district provides a remarkable educational experience for the children it serves. The Hays CISD Board of Trustees functions under the laws of the State of Texas in establishing district policy. Board Meetings are open to the public except for designated executive sessions held in accordance with Texas Open Meeting Laws.
Officers: President, Vice President, SecretaryMembers by District: District 1, District 2, District 3, District 4, District 5, At-Large (1), At-Large (2)
Members by Name: Raul Vela, Jr., Courtney Runkle, Johnny Flores, Byron Severance, Esperanza Orosco, Vanessa Petrea, Geoff Seibel
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Raul Vela, Jr.
President
Single-Member-District 1
Current Trustee Term Runs May 2023 to May 2026
Raul Vela, Jr. was first elected to the Board of Trustees in 2020. He and his wife Carol are the proud parents of two Hays CISD students, Raul Vela, III (Trey) and Ryan. The family has lived in the community for nearly 20 years.
Vela is an actively involved community member. Prior to being elected to the Board, he had served on a number of school district citizen committees, including the Calendar Committee and the Facilities and Bond Oversight Committee. He has also mentored students at the district’s Impact Center and is engaged in community activities through his church and other youth organizations.
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Byron Severance
Vice President
Single-Member-District 4
Current Trustee Term Runs May 2022 to May 2025
Byron Severance was elected to the Hays CISD school board in May 2022, the same month as his son, Bryson, graduated from Johnson HS. His daughter Kylie will graduate in May 2024, and hopes to follow in Byron and Bryson's footprints to attend Texas A&M University. Whoop!
As a trustee on the Hays CISD Board of Trustees, Byron has been a staunch advocate for students, parents, teachers, and staff. His unique background brings to the table a combination of management, service, accountability, supporting people, and finding common sense solutions that bridge divides.
Phone: 512-653-8658
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Vanessa Petrea
Secretary
Trustee at Large
Current Trustee Term Runs May 2023 to May 2026
Vanessa V. Petrea (pronounced Pee-tree) was elected to the Hays CISD Board of Trustees in 2017. Mrs. Petrea has served as PTA president for two Hays CISD elementary schools and previously served on the executive board of the Hays CISD Education Foundation. She and her husband, Micah, have two children.
Mrs. Petrea is passionate about education and investing in the next generation of leaders. She feels strongly about social and emotional learning initiatives and has been a steadfast advocate for mental health resources for our students.
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Johnny Flores
Trustee
Single-Member-District 2
Current Trustee Term Runs May 2023 to May 2026
Johnny Flores was first elected to the Board on May 6, 2023. His story begins in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he was the son of an army combat veteran and a nurse. He spent his younger years pursuing athletics, and even earned a baseball scholarship to play at a junior college. Johnny then spent his 20s pursuing his dreams of becoming a musician, where he had the pleasure of playing on stage both locally and nationally.
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Courtney Runkle
Trustee
Single-Member-District 3
Current Trustee Term Runs May 2024 to May 2027
Courtney Runkle was first elected to the board in 2021. A Hays County resident for nearly 20 years, Courtney has developed a strong connection to the district and its residents. She has a deep-rooted passion for students, academics, CTE programs, Fine Arts, and athletics; and prides herself on being an advocate for all students in Hays CISD.
Courtney is a proud mom to two boys and a dedicated wife to her hardworking husband. Together, they have built a loving home in the Sunfield community. Their eldest son is a graduate of Johnson High School, while their youngest son is a proud 8th-grader at McCormick Middle School. Additionally, she has a niece who is currently in kindergarten at Sunfield Elementary.
Phone: 512-787-2540
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Esperanza Orosco
Trustee
Single-Member-District 5
Current Trustee Term Runs May 2022 to May 2025
Esperanza Orosco was first elected to the Board of Trustees in 2016. She served Hays CISD students and families for more than ten years as an early childhood and fourth grade bilingual teacher. Her experience in the classroom and in the field of education gives her unique perspective on the school board that is truly appreciated by her peers and those she serves. She is the immediate past president of the Board and has also served as vice president.
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Geoff Seibel
Trustee
Trustee at Large
Current Trustee Term Runs May 2024 to May 2027
Geoff Seibel was first elected to the Board of Trustees in May 2024. Full biography coming soon.
