Conroe ISD moves to appoint trustee after resignation

The Conroe Independent School District is set to begin accepting applications this week to fill a vacant board seat after Trustee Tiffany Nelson resigned to seek a role on the Texas State Board of Education.

According to district officials, the application process will open on Thursday and continue until January 6. Board members will review applications from January 7 to January 9, with interviews planned for January 13.

During the board discussion, Trustee Lindsay Dawson mentioned that the district had two alternatives: leaving the seat vacant or calling a special election; however, neither option was deemed practical.

Dawson indicated that failing to take action would result in the position remaining unfilled for approximately a year, which could complicate board decisions in the event of evenly split votes.

“If we take no action, that seat will remain unfilled for a year,” Dawson stated, noting that a vacancy could hinder the board's progress. She further characterized a special election as expensive and said that it would take “too long” to address the district’s urgent governance needs.

Last week, Nelson stepped down from the board after announcing her campaign for the State Board of Education. In November 2022, she was elected to the Conroe ISD board, joining trustees Melissa Dungan and Misty Odenweller. The three of them casually referred to themselves as the “Mama Bears” throughout their campaign.

Nelson made her decision to resign after careful consideration, according to a previously published statement by the Houston Chronicle.

“My choice to resign was not made hastily—it followed extensive prayer and conversation,” Nelson stated. “In the end, Conroe ISD is well-positioned with the six remaining board members.” I am entirely confident that they will continue to advocate for the students, teachers, staff, and families within the district.

According to Texas law, if a vacancy arises, school boards may appoint a replacement to serve until the next regularly scheduled election. District officials have yet to specify detailed eligibility criteria beyond those required for board service; however, it is anticipated that applicants will live within the district and meet the standard qualifications for trustees.

The designated trustee would fulfill the remainder of Nelson’s unexpired term, enabling the seven-member board to maintain full operational capacity while it manages district policy, budgeting, and academic oversight.

District leaders noted that timelines may vary and urged interested residents to monitor Conroe ISD’s website for application materials and updates. Further information regarding the appointment process will be provided once the application window begins.