Introduction to Houston ISD’s Board of Managers
Houston ISD’s board of managers unanimously approved the district’s 2025-26 budget. The board includes four new faces: Edgar Colón, Marty Goossen, Lauren Gore, and Marcos Rosales, who were recently appointed by Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. The Houston ISD board of trustees has five seats on the Nov. 4 ballot in what could be considered an unusual election. The winners won’t have any governing power for at least the first 18 months of their terms.
The Takeover of Houston ISD
Under a takeover by the Texas Education Agency, HISD’s elected trustees have been sidelined by a "board of managers" appointed by the TEA at the start of the takeover in June 2023. The state intervened after Wheatley High School received a string of failing grades, triggering a state law requiring the TEA to close the campus or replace elected trustees with appointed leadership. This June, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said the takeover will continue until at least June 1, 2027.
The Role of Trustees During the Takeover
Placido Gomez, who is not on the ballot this fall, was elected as a trustee in November 2023 and could gain voting power near the end of his term. He pushes back on the notion that the trustees are powerless. "It’s technically true that we don’t have the power to vote on things that have consequence in HISD, but we do have the power to influence the public discussion and I think that’s also very important," Gomez said. Gomez likens his time now as a non-voting trustee to an athlete’s offseason. Gomez said he attends trainings, attends nearly all the board meetings, and stays as engaged as possible to stay prepared.
The Upcoming Election
The early voting period ends Friday. Two school board positions — District 1 and District 9 — have just one candidate running unopposed and will not appear on the ballot. The three other seats — Districts 5, 6, and 7 — have two candidates each vying for those seats. The candidates for District 5 are Maria Benzon and Robbie McDonough. Benzon has worked in public education for more than 25 years, including as a teacher in HISD. McDonough is a trial attorney and former business counsel.
District 6 and 7 Candidates
The District 6 seat candidates include Kendall Baker and Michael McDonough. Baker is the incumbent seeking re-election. Baker is an insurance adjuster, minister, and native Houstonian. Michael McDonough has worked as a teacher and principal and has served on an advisory body for the previous superintendent’s term. The candidates for District 7 are incumbent Bridget Wade and Audrey Nath. Nath is a pediatric neurologist and HISD parent. Wade was initially elected in 2021, during the pre-takeover days.
Unopposed Candidates
Two districts have candidates running unopposed. Felicity Pereyra will assume the District 1 seat in January 2026. Pereyra, a data analyst and small business owner, has been endorsed by the Houston Federation of Teachers and Community Voices for Public Education. In District 9, Myrna Guidry is seeking re-election unopposed. Guidry is an attorney and adjunct professor at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
Conclusion
The Houston ISD board of trustees election is an important event that will shape the future of the district. Although the winners of the election will not have governing power for at least the first 18 months of their terms, they will have the opportunity to influence the public discussion and prepare for their future roles. The takeover of Houston ISD by the Texas Education Agency has been a controversial issue, and the election will be closely watched by the community. The candidates for each district have unique backgrounds and perspectives, and the outcome of the election will depend on the votes of the community.
