Board: Elections

Nekosi Nelson – Application

I am a values-driven, forward-thinking leader, focused on student learning and outcomes. My wife and I are proud parents of two daughters who attend Leander ISD schools. I’m a local business owner and a dedicated community servant. I actively volunteer at my daughters’ schools, serve on the site-based committee at Leander High School, and am a Commissioner for Public Arts & Culture for the City of Leander.

I am running for the school board motivated by three key commitments: servant leadership, a belief in the transformative power of public education, and the opportunity for Leander ISD to be a model district across Texas. 

My faith and commitment to servant leadership guide me. With 23 years of experience in program and product management across education, technology, nonprofits, and finance, my expertise lies in leading teams toward shared goals. I am eager to leverage this experience to serve the 43,000 students, their families, and over 6,000 educators and staff in Leander ISD.

As a proud graduate of Texas public schools, K-12 educator, LISD parent, and volunteer, I’ve personally experienced the life-changing impact of a strong education system. I know that when students are supported by dedicated teachers, rigorous academics, and enriching extracurricular activities, they can achieve incredible things and are ready for anything the future holds.

I believe Leander ISD has the potential to set the standard for educational excellence in Texas. We must focus on high academic expectations and ensure each student has a personalized learning plan that aligns with their needs, strengths, and interests. I will work to strengthen partnerships with families and the broader community, enhancing collaboration and communication to foster student growth and well-being.

I want LISD to be an employer of choice for educators, where we respect their professional expertise, invest in their development, and improve their working conditions. 

The future of our community depends on a high-quality public education system. I am committed to focusing on student success, expanding family support, building a connected community, and empowering teachers to ensure every student has personalized, transformative learning opportunities to grow and thrive.

I am here to serve.

Jim Sneeringer – Application

Dr. Jim Sneeringer is a retired IBM software engineer. He served on the LISD school board for eighteen years, from 1993-2011, during a period of explosive growth for the district. He was board president five of those years.

He is the designer and developer of the iVoterGuide website, which provides information about political candidates in state and local elections nationwide. He also designed and developed the WORDsearch Bible Study software.

He holds a PhD and is a Distinguished Graduate Alumnus in Computer Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In Austin, he has taught at the University of Texas and St. Edward’s University. He worked for the Attorney General of Texas as an examiner to help certify computerized election systems for use in the state of Texas.

During his service on the LISD board, he participated in the Texas Education Reform Caucus Policy Council in 2000-2002 and the Texas Association of School Boards Legislative Advisory Council in 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004.

His priorities for our school district are academic excellence, character development, involvement of parents, and fiscal responsibility.

Brandi Burkman – Application

I am a native Texan and attended the University of Texas. My husband and I bought our home in Leander 20 years ago, even before Lowes moved in! I have worked in the healthcare industry for over 20 years and currently manage the hospital-based network for one of the state’s largest health insurance companies. I have three amazing kids that have gone through the LISD system. Over the years, I have volunteered in several roles, including Destination Imagination, PTA, and athletic booster club executive committees. I was compelled to get involved when the school board was considering changes to the medical policy that would have allowed the district to remove a child from campus for a medical procedure and not inform the parents. Since then, I have attended numerous school board meetings speaking about the decline in academics and obscene book selections, and I have been a champion for parental rights and privacy rights for children. I have exhausted all options from the seat as a parent and the only way to have real impact is from the seat of a trustee.

Anna Smith – Application

Hello Leander ISD Community,

I am excited to announce that I am running for re-election to the Leander ISD School Board, Place 4. Since moving to Leander in 2015, my family and I have been deeply invested in the LISD community and the educational opportunities it offers. We chose Leander ISD for its dedication to excellence, and today, we have three children attending schools in the district, with our oldest now pursuing a degree at UT-Dallas after graduating from Leander ISD.

For me, education has always been a personal and transformative journey. Growing up in poverty, school was not just a place to learn—it was my refuge, where teachers encouraged me to dream big and break through barriers. As the first in my family to graduate high school and a first-generation college student, I know firsthand the impact a strong public education can have. This experience shaped my deep belief in the power of public education and inspired me to become actively involved in my children’s educational journey in Leander ISD.

However, my most eye-opening experience came as a mother navigating the complexities of the Texas special education system. I encountered barriers that seemed focused on creating confusion than supporting students and families. This fueled my passion for special education advocacy, which ultimately led me to run for the school board in 2020. My commitment to fighting for ALL families—especially those facing similar challenges—remains as strong today as ever.

During my time on the board, I have been honored to work alongside our community to achieve meaningful progress. Together, we passed a Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE), reduced property taxes for four consecutive years, launched a strategic long-range plan, and earned the prestigious title of 2023 AP Large District of the Year. These accomplishments reflect our collective dedication to improving educational outcomes while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

A key focus of my platform is my strong commitment to early intervention programs. I believe that giving children the support they need at the earliest stages is essential to closing achievement gaps and helping them achieve long-term success. My advocacy for special education remains a top priority, ensuring that our district provides the necessary resources and attention to every student and educator. As a community connector, I’ve worked to unite parents, teachers, and local leaders to collaborate on effective, meaningful solutions for our schools.

Leander ISD is an extraordinary district, but we are not without challenges. State underfunding has put immense pressure on our schools, and we must continue to navigate the complexities of Texas school finance with knowledgeable and dedicated leadership. 

I am ready to continue advocating for our children, our educators, and our schools. I am not done fighting for Leander ISD, and I ask you to join me in my re-election campaign. Let’s keep working together to advocate like a mother for our #1LISD community—ensuring every child has access to the education and support they deserve.

Zach Zayner – Application

Hello, Neighbors! My passion for education and languages led me to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from Indiana University, followed by a Master of Science in Sociolinguistics from Georgetown University. My wife and I found a home here, where we raise our three sons, all students in LISD elementary and middle schools.

With six years of hands-on experience in Baltimore City’s Title I schools, I’ve taught reading, math, science, and technology, developed innovative science curriculums, and worked through all of the district’s red tape to found the Baltimore City VEX Robotics League, and its legacy continues today. I know what it takes to improve student outcomes—I helped raise math scores by three grade levels, even with limited resources. I have the expertise and vision to elevate the educational experience for all students in Leander ISD, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to succeed both in school and beyond graduation.

My experience also extends to supporting families through the IEP and 504 processes. As the parent of children with ADHD, I understand firsthand the challenges many face when their needs are misunderstood. Far too often, executive dysfunction is mistaken for disorganization or laziness, when what students need is structured guidance and support. These are issues driving families away from public schools, and it’s time we address them directly.

There is a crisis of skilled teachers leaving our district. As a teacher myself, I know that educators need proper support—whether it’s through fair compensation, adequate planning time, or access to resources for differentiated learning. I’ve fought for these needs before, including merit-based pay, and I’m ready to bring that same determination to the Board to retain the talented teachers who are the backbone of our schools.

As a parent, I’ve been deeply concerned by the lack of transparency in district decision-making, especially when it comes to budgetary and student-focused choices that impact all our communities. We deserve open dialogue and meaningful engagement, not performative gestures. This experience, along with the passionate advocacy I’ve seen from my neighbors, inspired me to run for this position.

As a Board Member, my priorities are clear: to build community, foster trust through integrity, and ensure full transparency in every decision. I’m committed to listening to concerns, standing by my promises, and using data-driven analysis to make choices that benefit our students, teachers, and community. I will fight for the resources our students need, the respect our teachers deserve, and the transparency we’ve been missing.

Now, more than ever, we must reclaim our sense of community and work together for a path forward that serves all of us. We all want the best education for our students and the strongest support for our educators, and I am ready to lead with a vision of unity and progress.

Sade Fashokun – Application

I have served as a Leander ISD Trustee since 2021. I began volunteering as a Literacy Partner in 2014, before my kids were of school age, and experienced the impact of reading with students and encouraging them to read. I increased my involvement by helping teachers and students with reading groups, math tutoring, mentoring, and after-school enrichment in Math Pentathlon and Destination Imagination. I became more engaged with the community as a PTA Treasurer and President. I served on a campus Site-Based Planning Committee and district-wide committees – School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) and bond oversight. My participation in several campus and community events, and listening to all students, educators, and families, have helped in shaping my decision-making as a Trustee.

I strive for effectiveness and efficiency in all aspects of the district. I led the effort to revamp the internal audit function from an in-house department with limited scope, to an outsourced function with expanded capabilities. I serve as Chair of the Internal Audit Committee which used the independent risk assessment report to recommend the board focus on audits of academic program management, federal programs, construction management, and human resources, among others, in the immediate future. I continue to serve on the Policy Committee and the Educational Access Ambassadors Committee and will begin serving on the Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) this school year.

I am a strong proponent of public schools, my kids attend Leander ISD schools, and I have volunteered in the district since my family moved to Cedar Park in 2014. With a thirst for knowledge and learning, I quickly grasped the complex public-school finance system. I have advocated to state legislators to increase funding to public schools (which the legislature has hamstrung by stagnant allotments and unfunded mandates) and to say NO to vouchers! I care deeply about every student having access to a quality public education, educators being valued and having the resources to be successful, and families being informed and engaged – all to enable student success.

I am an immigrant from Nigeria, have a BS in Computer Science, MBA, and JD degrees. I worked over 20 years in the technology industry, and now as a small business owner. My experiences and qualifications provide me with a breadth of knowledge and analytical and critical thinking skills necessary to tackle various issues with a balanced and well-rounded approach.

Gerald Prater – Application

After graduating high school, I enlisted and began a 20-year career in the US Air Force. I served in Military Intelligence as a Spanish linguist and communications analyst. During the culmination of career, I served as a senior organizational manager for Strategic Planning and Readiness. Part of the implementation of Total Quality Management in the Air Force, I helped subordinate units implement strategic process controls that included identifying, establishing and monitoring key business processes that ensure the satisfaction of customers, and a continuous improvement. I also developed exercise plans to evaluate the comprehensiveness of the units’ strategic plans and tested the effectiveness of their process controls.

After retiring from the Air Force, based on my experience and education, I was recruited by GTE (who later became Verizon) to come work in their corporate Internal Audit Department. My role as an internal auditor was closely related my duties in the Air Force related to Quality Management. I quickly progressed to Audit Manager where I would help our Audit Department develop our annual audit plan for the company. Then I would develop and oversee specific audit engagements where we traveled to various company locations and business units to evaluate their financial and technical controls. My fluency in Spanish also allowed me to work closely with our company affiliates and partners who were located in Spanish-speaking areas and countries in the Caribbean. I spent another 10 years working in this audit career.

Education: My initial training in my Air Force career included the language training to make me able to speak, read and write Spanish proficiently. In addition, I received a lot of additional training in organizational and personnel leadership and management. Finally, I took advantage of all of the available educational benefits and retired with 3 college degrees, including an Associates degree in Applied Communications, a Bachelors in Management of Computer information systems, and an MBA with an Information Systems concentration.

And now for the past 15 years, I have worked here in the community in full-time voluntary ministry, using all of these skills to serve and give back wherever possible (a servant leader).

Campaign Finance Report due dates can be found on the Texas Ethics Commission 2024 Filing Schedule.

Please note: Leander ISD does not notarize candidate election forms. Forms must be notarized prior to submission.

• Monday, July 22, 2024: First day to file an Application for a Place on the November 5, 2024 Ballot for the Leander ISD Board of Trustees Election
• Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 at 5 p.m.: Last day to file an Application for a Place on the November 5, 2024 Ballot for the Leander ISD Board of Trustees Election
• Friday, August 23, 2024: Last day to file a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy Application
• Monday, August 26, 2024: Last day for a candidate to withdraw from a general election, by submission of a notarized Certificate of Withdrawal (PDF) or a notarized letter, or to be declared ineligible. If a candidate withdraws or is declared ineligible by this date, his or her name is omitted from the ballot.
• Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2024: Last Day to Register to Vote
• Monday, Oct. 21, 2024: First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance
• Friday, Nov. 1, 2024: Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance
• Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024: Election Day (voting from 7 a.m.–7 p.m.)

Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes

Please note: Leander ISD does not notarize candidate election forms. Forms must be notarized prior to submission.

• Frequently Asked Questions about Running for the Leander ISD School Board
• 2024 Filing Schedule for Reports Due in Connection with Elections Held on Uniform Election Dates
• A Short Guide to the Prohibition Against Using School District Resources for Political Advertising
• Application For A Place On The Ballot For A General Election For A City, School District Or Other Political Subdivision
• Appointment of A Campaign Treasurer by A Candidate (Form CTA)
• Appointment of a Campaign Treasurer By a Candidate Instruction Guide
• Board Policy BBA (Legal), Board Members Eligibility/Qualifications
• Campaign Finance Guide for Candidates and Officeholders Who File with Local Filing Authorities
• Candidate/Officeholder Campaign Finance Report (Form C/OH)
• Candidate/Officeholder Instruction Guide
• Certificate of Withdrawal
• Request for Confidentiality for Candidates Under Texas Government Code
• Declaration of Write-In Candidacy Form
• Fair Campaign Practices Act and Code of Fair Campaign Practices (Form CFCP)
• First Steps for Candidates Running for School Board Trustee: Texas Ethics Commission
• Political Advertising: What You Need to Know, Brochure

• Texas Secretary of State Running For a Local Office (City, School District, Other Districts)
• The Texas Secretary of State Candidate Information
• Texas Ethics Commission: Frequently Asked Questions
• The Texas Ethics Commission: Local Non-Judicial Candidate/Officeholder Forms and Instructions
• Texas Ethics Commission: First Steps for Candidates Running for School Board Trustee
• The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) offers a free online training course, Serving on a Board: An Insider’s Guide to Board Service for School Board Candidates , designed by experienced school board members especially for people considering running for the school board. This course explains what to expect when serving as a school board member.

Notice of Election – Leander ISD November 2024 Trustee Election – Posted Sept. 16, 2024
Notice of Voting Order Priority for Voters with Certain Disabilities – Posted Sept. 16, 2024
Notice of Drawing For A Place On Ballot – Posted August 19, 2024
Order of Election for Board of Trustees Election November 5, 2024 – Posted Aug. 9, 2024
REVISED Notice of Deadline to File An Application for Place on the Nov 2024 Ballot – Posted Aug. 5, 2024
Notice of Deadline to File An Application for Place on the Ballot – Posted June 19, 2024