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By Amarillo Pioneer Publisher's Committee
This May, voters have the opportunity to chart a new path forward for the Amarillo Independent School District for the next four years, electing a new majority of trustees to represent Amarillo residents. And with seven people on the ballot, voters have a tough decision on their hands.
At the moment, the Amarillo ISD Board of Trustees is made up of seven people, each tasked with representing local taxpayers and addressing the operations of AISD. The present board has seen a lot of change over the past few years, with trustees coming and going, and major changes occurring throughout the district. And, emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is to be expected that even more challenges are on the horizon for governing entities across our area, including AISD.
With this in mind, it is important that voters select the right people to represent them and lead AISD for the next four years. Voters will have the option to vote for up to four candidates for the school board this year, but our Publisher’s Committee recommends voters give strong consideration to three candidates, splitting their votes as they see fit:
Bennie D. Anderson: Reverend Bennie Anderson is a political newcomer who should be seriously considered by voters looking for a new voice on the school board. Anderson has placed a focus on addressing the needs of schools across Amarillo, and has made clear that he will be a responsible steward of taxpayers’ resources as an AISD trustee.
Doyle Corder: Incumbent Doyle Corder also deserves consideration from voters for a full four-year term on the board. Corder has served as an appointed trustee since 2019, and has made himself very accessible as a public servant. Corder’s accessibility as an elected official and candidate speaks volumes about how he will conduct himself if he is elected to represent AISD residents for four more years.
Louis P. Montaño: Louis P. Montaño is also a political newcomer and retired educator, running under the slogan of “an educator for education.” Montaño’s background and commitment to responsible stewardship of AISD resources are promising and should be a major selling point for voters looking for someone who will be a strong guardian of taxpayer resources while also understanding the needs and inner workings of the local education system.
In addition to these three candidates, a few other candidates have also put forward promising ideas, such as local businessman and author Charles D’Amico. However, our Publisher’s Committee feels that Bennie Anderson, Doyle Corder, and Louis P. Montaño are the most deserving of voter consideration today.
Early voting runs April 19-27. Election Day is May 1.