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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: Vanessa Petrea, Raul Vela, Jr., Dr. Esmeralda Pérez-González, Courtney Runkle, Esperanza Orosco, Will McManus, Byron Severance
Phone: 512-653-8658
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Vanessa Petrea
President
Trustee at Large
Current Trustee Term Runs May 2020 to May 2023
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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Degrees and Certifications:
Raul Vela, Jr.
Vice President
Single-Member-District 1
Current Trustee Term Runs May 2020 to May 2023
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.
Phone: 512-787-2540
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Esperanza Orosco
Secretary
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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Dr. Esmeralda Pérez-González
Trustee
Single-Member-District 2
Current Trustee Seat Full Term Runs May 2020 to May 2023*
*Dr. Esmeralda Pérez-González was appointed December 2, 2021, to fill a vacancy in this seat until a special election can be held on May 7, 2022, to fill the unexpired term for Single-Member-District 2. The next regular election for the full, 3-year term for Single-Member-District 2 will be held in May 2023.
The Hays CISD Board of Trustees voted Thursday, December 2, 2021, to appoint Dr. Esmeralda Pérez-González to fill a vacancy on the Board until the next opportunity to have a special election for the seat. Dr. Pérez-González, who was one of the founding staff members of Hay CISD’s Camino Real Elementary School when it opened in 2008, enjoyed a 38-year career in education before she retired in May 2021. Dr. Pérez-González is a well-decorated, veteran educator who is passionate about student and teacher success.
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Courtney Runkle
Trustee
Single-Member-District 3
Current Trustee Term Runs May 2021 to May 2024
Courtney Runkle was first elected to the Board in 2021.
Full bio coming soon.
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Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Byron Severance
Single-Member-District 4
Current Trustee Term Runs May 2022 to May 2025
Byron Severance was first elected to the Hays CISD Board of Trustees in 2022.
Full biography coming soon.
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Will McManus
Trustee
Trustee at Large
Current Trustee Term Runs May 2021 to May 2024
Will McManus, a long-time resident and member of the Hays CISD community, was first elected to the Board of Trustees in 2018. Before running for the At-Large seat, he volunteered in various roles on several campuses and at the district level. He first served with the Buda Elementary PTA in 1999 and has continued to volunteer every year since including the district level Growth Impact Committee and was honored to be the first person to chair the Facility and Bond Oversight Committee.
