Four candidates are contesting the Round Rock Independent School District Board of Trustees’ Place 3 seat in an election shaped by a projected $6 million budget deficit and a contentious proposal to raise property taxes.
Incumbent Amber Feller Landrum is being challenged by data analyst Vera Southwell, retired US Army Reserve nurse practitioner Gregory Andrew and 18-year-old student advocate Ayaan Moledina.
The contest comes as Round Rock ISD seeks approval for a Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election, known as a VATRE, on 3 November. Early voting is scheduled to run from 19 to 30 October.
Four candidates, different priorities
Ms Feller Landrum has served on the board since 2018 and says her experience gives her a clear understanding of the district’s needs.
“I think experience matters. You know, I’ve spent eight years on the board so far. My heart is in it. I do this for all the children,” she said.
Ms Southwell, whose professional background is in data analytics, said the district needed a long-term approach to financial management rather than decisions based solely on annual budgets.
“I believe that the district needs thoughtful, responsible governance that looks beyond the current budget. I want to understand the risks, consider the alternatives, and measure the results,” she said.
Mr Andrew, a retired nurse practitioner and former Army Reserve member, said teachers and frontline staff should have a greater say in how the district is run.
“We are going to bring our teachers in, and they are going be represented far beyond any union could ever do,” he said. “We’re going to listen to them. We’re going to have them sit down.”
Mr Moledina, who has recently turned 18 and carries out advocacy work at the Texas State Capitol, said his recent experience as a pupil could bring a different perspective to the board.
“It’s so important that we have a fresh voice and fresh perspective because education now and eight years ago has changed so much,” he said.
Budget deficit at centre of campaign
The district is facing a shortfall of roughly $6 million, with the candidates divided over how it should be addressed.
Ms Feller Landrum blamed inadequate state funding for public education and said the district had already made repeated reductions while trying to protect classrooms and teaching staff.
“We’ve made cuts, and cuts, and cuts and cuts. Every year, we’re cutting our budget by millions of dollars,” she said, adding that Round Rock ISD’s annual budget was about $500 million.
Ms Southwell said the board needed to connect its financial decisions more closely with its long-term operational strategy.
Mr Andrew said trustees should examine which services could be contracted out, while also seeking outside support from prominent local business figures.
Mr Moledina said he would first seek advice from district administrators before proposing specific reductions, arguing that they were best placed to identify where savings could be made.
VATRE would raise tax rate
The district’s Proposition A would add six copper pennies to its maintenance and operations tax rate, taking the total rate to $0.9484 per $100 of valuation if approved.
Round Rock ISD says the measure would generate about $30 million in additional local revenue. It would fund a 2 per cent pay increase for eligible teachers and staff, increase the district’s contribution towards employee healthcare and raise starting salaries for some roles.
The district estimates the proposal would add about $199 a year, or $16.59 a month, to the tax bill for a median-value home after the homestead exemption.
Ms Feller Landrum supports the measure, saying additional money was needed for pay and rising healthcare costs. Ms Southwell also backed better pay for teachers but questioned whether the district could sustain the spending in future years.
Mr Andrew opposes the proposal, arguing that the district should reduce spending rather than increase taxes. Mr Moledina supports it, saying he believes it does not go far enough and that staff should eventually be paid at least $20 an hour.
The district says the VATRE is not a bond measure and would not create new debt. Voters will decide on Proposition A alongside the school board contest on 3 November.
Candidates address controversies
Mr Moledina was also asked about a social media video that appeared to show him fighting another student. He said the footage had been heavily edited and showed him and a close school friend fooling around.
“The fact that that is being weaponized is disgraceful. It is disgusting,” he said.
Mr Andrew was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following a road-rage incident in 2024. The charge was later dismissed.
He acknowledged that the encounter had been unpleasant but said he did not believe he had done anything wrong.
