AISD: Barksdale Will Not Run Again

Austin ISD Trustee Tamala Barksdale (Photo by Jana Birchum)

Major news from Austin ISD Trustee Tamala Barksdale. In a phone call moments ago, she told the Chronicle, "I will not be seeking re-election this fall."

Barksdale, who joined the AISD board in 2010 as one of the two at-large members, is up for re-election this November. While she said she is "very sad to leave board service," after several long conversations with her family, "I have decided that the best course of action is to step aside."

In a major development, she also announced that she will be endorsing a candidate to replace her: Kazique J. Prince, CEO of Jelani Consulting. Even though he has not officially filed in the race, his name has been buzzing in education circles for weeks. Barksdale described him as "someone who will do amazing job in Place 9," particularly complimenting his skills as a consensus and coalition builder.

She will still serve on the board until December, when the new board takes over. With a superintendent search and a budget to pass, she said, "There's still a lot of work to be done." She called her time on the board "delightful," and said she was disappointed that she will no longer get to work with her fellow trustees, especially the group that joined in 2012 and will now form the bulk of the dais. She said, "I dare anyone to challenge their ability to move the district forward."