On Tuesday, voters in Conroe ISD ushered in a new era, electing a conservative slate that unseated incumbent trustees Datren Williams and Stacey Chase. With support from current board members known as the “Mama Bears,” the victorious candidates—Nicole May, Lindsay Dawson, Melissa Semmler, and Marianne Horton—promise a stronger focus on parental involvement and educational oversight.
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Voters chose a slate of conservative candidates in a vital election for Conroe Independent School District, defeating incumbents and changing the balance of power on the board. Supported by the self-styled "Mama Bears," current trustees Melissa Dungan, Tiffany Nelson, and Misty Odenweller, the finalists are Nicole May, Lindsay Dawson, Melissa Semmler, and Marianne Horton.
With 54.82% of the vote, Nicole May defeated Jamison Gentle and current Datren Williams to secure Position 4. Lindsay Dawson topped opponents Josh Webb and Kristin Guardino with 45.62%, landing Position 5. With 43.93% of the vote, Melissa Semmler secured Position 6 above current Stacey Chase; Scott Buzbee trailed with 17.81%.
With great excitement for the board's future, Marianne Horton said, "I'm ready to go in there and do what I came to do: support our teachers and work with parents... The horizon for Conroe ISD excites me.
Initially scheduled for 2022, the "Mama Bears" argued for the elimination from school libraries what they felt to be improper content, especially books with LGBTQ themes. Emphasizing parental participation and district educational standards, this electoral triumph sets the conservative majority to influence policy in line with their manifesto.
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