Round Rock: Not So Sensible
The vitriolic Round Rock ISD school board election ended in something of a draw, as just one candidate on the three-member slate out to “take over the school board” won a position on the seven-member board. After more than 60% of voters shot down the district’s $349 million bond package in March, many expected an easy takeover by the so-called “Sensible Ticket,” who opposed the big bond. But of the three, only Place 1 candidate Vivian Sullivan (who made the “take over” comment) won a seat, earning just under 40% of the vote as candidates Karla Sartin and Yvette Sanchez split the non-Sensible vote almost evenly. In Place 3, Diane Cox won with 45% of the vote – and just 90 votes more than anti-bond candidate Debbie Bruce-Julke, who may ask for a recount. And in Place 6, veteran trustee Raymond Hartfield won with 48% of the vote, while remaining votes fell two-to-one in favor of anti-bond candidate Dan McFaull.
Sullivan is expected to join sitting trustee Elizabeth Elleson in standing firm for low taxes as the group puts together a new bond package, hires a superintendent, and adjusts boundaries. – Rachel Proctor May
This article appears in May 13 • 2005.