Kayla Mendez and David Nance will become the newest trustees for the Amarillo Independent School District next month.
On Tuesday night, Amarillo ISD Trustees voted to pick Mendez and Nance to replace John Ben Blanchard and Renee McCown on the board. Mendez was picked by a 4-1 vote, with Trustee Dick Ford voting against, while Nance was chosen by a unanimous vote.
The vote was notable, as the board snubbed former applicants and elected officials, instead choosing two newcomers to hold the seats. Along with Mendez and Nance, the board was also considering Claudia Stuart, John Betancourt, Debra McCartt, and Bradley Phillips to hold a position on the board. Betancourt previously served on the board from 2015 through 2019, and McCartt was previously Amarillo’s Mayor, leaving office in 2011.
Both Mendez and Nance are expected to take their seats in late-August.
Photo by Amarillo ISD