Fourteen candidates have applied to be considered to replace Trustees John Ben Blanchard and Renee McCown on the Amarillo ISD Board of Trustees following their recent resignations.
According to a list provided by Amarillo ISD, the list of the fourteen candidates includes some names well-known to local voters and political observers, as well as some newcomers to the scene. Former Amarillo Mayor Debra McCartt and former AISD Trustee John Betancourt are among the most well-known names on the list, which also includes the likes of WTAMU educator Claudia Stuart, former Potter District Clerk candidate Crystal Flores, and non-profit director Matthew Hite.
As voters may recall, McCartt previously served on the Amarillo City Commission and as Amarillo Mayor before retiring in 2011. McCartt also unsuccessfully ran for the Potter County Judge position in the 2014 Republican primary, finishing behind Nancy Tanner and Bill Bandy in a five-candidate race.
Betancourt is also well-known to AISD school board observers, having previously served from 2015 until 2019. Betancourt, a business consultant, was ousted by voters in the May 4th school board elections, as local voters filled three seats on the board with newcomers.
The fourteen contenders filed for consideration ahead of the July 3rd deadline, and their applications will now await consideration by the AISD Board of Trustees. This will also mark the second such appointment process in a year, as the board selected attorney Robin R. Malone to replace James Allen on the board following his resignation in mid-2018.
