Leaders
Dr. Carol Fletcher ~ President
Dr. Carol Fletcher became a board member in 2001, and won re-election in both 2004 and 2007. Her current term ends in 2010.
One of three former Pflugerville ISD teachers currently serving on the Board of Trustees, Dr. Fletcher and her husband moved to Pflugerville in 1989, and she began teaching at Pflugerville Middle School, a position she held until 1995.
Dr. Fletcher currently works for The University of Texas in the Texas Regional Collaboratives for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching program as an assistant director and research and development coordinator.
Her work experience as a district teacher and a program assistant director for one of the state’s flagship universities, along with the fact that she is the mother of two elementary school students currently enrolled in Pflugerville ISD, gives Dr. Fletcher a unique perspective on the needs of PISD students.
“When I first ran for the board there were no educators and no board members with elementary age children serving,” Dr. Fletcher said. “I thought I could bring some knowledge, experience and perspective that might help the board deal with the challenges we were facing. In my current position at UT, I work with TEA, the TEKS, No Child Left Behind requirements, workforce development, and higher education, and have been able to use these experiences to better inform my board service.”
Dr. Fletcher believes the most important part of her role as school board trustee is the opportunity to impact the lives of Pflugerville ISD students through the decisions made by the school board.
“When I left the classroom to attend graduate school full time, my mentor at PMS, Leisa Emerson, gave me a plaque with a quote that has guided me in my career in education, in my role as a mother, and in my service on the school board,” Dr. Fletcher said. “I think it pretty much sums up why so many people find working on behalf of children worthwhile and rewarding: ‘One hundred years from now it will not matter what was in my bank account, the kind of car I drove, or the type of house I lived in, but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.’”
Ms. Elva Gladney ~ Vice President
Ms. Elva Gladney is in her third full term as school board trustee. First elected in 2001 in a special election to complete an unexpired term, Ms. Gladney’s current term ends in 2012.
Ms. Gladney joined the Pflugerville High School faculty in 1983, where she was a teacher until 2001. Ms. Gladney taught social studies and English for 27 years before going to work for The University of Texas UTeach program. She retired from UT in 2007.
Both of Ms. Gladney’s children received their educations in the Pflugerville school system, attending school in PISD from elementary through high school.
Ms. Gladney is happy to have the opportunity to continue influencing education in Pflugerville, even though she has retired from teaching.
“Being a school board member gives me the opportunity to serve the district that I love and have been a part of for so many years,” Ms. Gladney said. “I am happy to share the knowledge I accumulated through a 27 year teaching career, and it is exciting to be a part of an organization committed to continuous improvement for each student.”
Mr. Paul J. King ~ Secretary
Mr. Paul J. King first ran for school board in 2001. He was re-elected to his third term in 2007, and will be up for re-election in 2010.
Mr. King grew up in the Austin area, graduating from Anderson High School. After serving two years in the US Army during the Vietnam War, Mr. King completed his education at Austin Community College and Southwest Texas State University.
After 30 years in the telecommunications field, Mr. King recently retired from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, where he was a data and voice network manager.
Mr. King and his family moved to the Pflugerville district in 1980. Both of his children are products of PISD, and graduates of Pflugerville High School. Mr. King credits his sons with sparking his interest in volunteering.
As an involved parent, King served as coach on numerous youth sports teams, in addition to volunteering his time to the Campus Academic Advisory Committee (CAAC) and District Academic Advisory Committee (DAAC) in PISD.
“I think it was a natural progression to run for school board,” Mr. King said. “I am proud of the time I have spent as trustee for this district. I believe it is important for the community to be active in our schools, and it is important for the school district to represent the vision that the community has for education. I am glad to be a part of the great relationship between the district and the community it serves.”
Dr. Cynthia Graves ~ Trustee
Dr. Cynthia Graves joined the Pflugerville Board of Trustees in 2006, and is in her second term as board member. She will be up for re-election in 2012.
Dr. Graves moved to Pflugerville in 2004, but she is no stranger to Central Texas, having graduated from Round Rock High School and The University of Texas.
As a homeowner, a parent of Pflugerville ISD students, and a business professional with a growing dental practice, Dr. Graves has a threefold interest in the success of the district.
Dr. Graves believes her role as school board member allows her to be a voice for the citizens of Pflugerville, as well as an advocate for children and teachers.
“My service on the board has given me an opportunity to meet and work with many outstanding individuals throughout the district---parents, students, concerned citizens and the amazing folks who work for PISD,” Dr. Graves said. “I am deeply touched by the dedication and kindness displayed by teachers and staff for their students. It is a privilege to be a part of the process that touches the lives of children in such a profound way, and it is a pleasure to serve in this role.”
Mr. James Hamann ~ Trustee
Mr. James Hamann is the longest-serving member currently on the board, having first been elected in 1999. Mr. Hamann is in his fourth term on the board, and is up for re-election in 2011.
Like fellow board member Vernagene Mott, Mr. Hamann grew up in the Pflugerville school district, completing grades 1-12 in PISD, when all grade levels were contained in one building. Mr. Hamann graduated from PHS in 1973, but his family ties to the area date back to the 1880’s.
Mr. Hamann takes pride in the fact that all three of his sons have graduated from Pflugerville schools, with his oldest son Matt graduating from PHS in 2004, John being a part of Hendrickson’s first graduating class in 2006, and Andrew graduating from HHS in 2008.
Those strong community ties encouraged Mr. Hamann to run for school board.
“I was asked to run when Don Weiss stepped down from the Board after 10-plus years of service. The idea that I should serve was both flattering and appealing,” Mr. Hamann said. “Because I had previously served on other community boards, I felt that I had the support of the community. I had three sons in PISD schools, and knew that I could get a good gauge of how the schools were doing by observing their experiences. Plus, it was my school district and my community, and I wanted to work toward making the schools the best they could be.”
As part of a group that manages the operation of electric generators at the Lower Colorado River Authority, Mr. Hamann is accustomed to being focused on the task at hand. His work with the school board is no different, as Mr. Hamann is noted for bringing a keen eye for detail to the various dilemmas the board faces on a regular basis.
One aspect of being a board member stands out above the rest for Mr. Hamann – the opportunity to watch the district’s PACE students graduate each year.
“Graduation is always a special time for students and parents, but probably the most rewarding experience is to attend the PACE graduation,” Mr. Hamann said. “The young people graduating from PACE have already had a lot of things to overcome in life, and yet they know a good education is so important that they will come in the evenings, off-hours, after work, etc. to finish their high school education. They know that education is a gift that should not be taken for granted.”
Mr. Jimmy Don Havins ~ Trustee
Mr. Jimmy Don Havins joined the board of trustees in 2005, and is in his second term as a school board member. His current term ends in 2011.
As the father of two Hendrickson High School students who have been in Pflugerville ISD since elementary school, and as a 1977 graduate of Pflugerville High School, Mr. Havins has a deep connection to Pflugerville.
After graduating from the University of Texas with a degree in electrical engineering, Mr. Havins worked for the Federal Aviation Administration, and became a licensed Professional Engineer. When the FAA elected to relocate his group to Houston, Havins joined the Lower Colorado River Authority, and is currently a telecommunications manager for LCRA.
“I had lived in the Pflugerville area for too long to even consider moving,” Mr. Havins said. “Besides, I wanted my children to enjoy the benefits of a quality education that I knew they would receive in the Pflugerville school district.”
Mr. Havins has a history of serving his community, spending six years as a member of the Manville Water Supply Board of Directors. After some encouragement by another member of the Pflugerville Board of Trustees, Mr. Havins decided to run for the school board.
“I was contacted by a board member and persuaded to give the school board a try,” Mr. Havins said. “It has been a much more time consuming and difficult position than I would have imagined, but it is very rewarding.”
Despite the long hours demanded to keep up with school board business, Mr. Havins knows it is time well spent.
“Anytime you can do something that has the potential of positively impacting the youth in our community, it is rewarding. The time I have spent on the school board has been such a learning experience for me,” Mr. Havins said. “Many things concerning education have changed significantly since I attended school in Pflugerville. What hasn't changed is the quality of educators we have in our district. To maintain and improve on the success our district has enjoyed, however, will require even more community involvement than we've ever had in the past. We need to work together for our children to get the best education we can possibly give them.”
Ms. Vernagene Mott ~ Trustee
Ms. Vernagene Mott was elected to the Pflugerville Board of Trustees in 2004, and is currently in her second term, which expires in 2010.
Born and raised in Pflugerville, Ms. Mott is a proud graduate of Pflugerville High School, where she earned the distinction of class valedictorian. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree with honors in math from The University of Texas, and was a math and science teacher for 35 years.
You could say that being a member of the Pflugerville school board runs in Ms. Mott’s family – her father, grandfather and father-in-law all served on the PISD Board of Trustees.
With strong family ties to Pflugerville (her husband and all three of her children are also PHS graduates) Ms. Mott possesses a unique connection to Pflugerville’s past, as well as its future.
Ms. Mott believes the public education system must move forward and find avenues to effectively prepare our students to reach their potential. Although serving as a school board trustee requires a considerable commitment of time to attend campus and district events, prepare for and attend board meetings and workshops, and listen to the concerns of parents, teachers and taxpayers, Ms. Mott believes that being a board member is a worthwhile endeavor.
“I encourage all citizens, especially business leaders, parents and retirees, to become involved on our campuses and in our district,” Ms. Mott said. “When we hold hands, sharing resources and talents, we can strengthen our schools, our community, our state and our nation.”