I am proud to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Colmesneil ISD Board of Trustees. Over the past four years, including the last two as Board President, it has been an honor to serve our students, families, staff, and community. My commitment has remained simple: to help move Colmesneil ISD forward through responsible leadership, sound financial stewardship, investment in our teachers and staff, and a continued focus on student success.
This school district and community mean a great deal to me. My children are the fourth generation of our family to attend Colmesneil schools and are the great-grandchildren of the late O.D. Davis, a lifelong resident of Colmesneil. My professional background in leading teams and managing large-scale business operations has allowed me to contribute to the board's work in strategic planning, accountability, budgeting, and long-term decision-making.
During my time on the board, Colmesneil ISD has made significant progress in several key areas. Financially, the district has maintained a clean audit each year and earned a Superior rating under the state's Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). We have also secured valuable grant funding, including the Rural Schools Grant, approval of the Teacher Incentive Allotment program to provide additional teacher compensation, and two LASO grants totaling $750,000 to support school improvement initiatives.
We have also invested in facilities and programs that directly benefit students and staff. These include the complete renovation of the Agricultural Science Building and the construction of a new track facility. Academically, the district launched a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, expanded Career and Technical Education to include 10 industry certifications, and equipped all elementary classrooms and secondary math classrooms with Smart Boards.
In a major achievement for our district, both the elementary and secondary campuses improved by a full letter grade under the state's A-F Accountability System. This reflects the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and staff, and it shows the positive direction of Colmesneil ISD.
I am especially proud of the steps Colmesneil ISD has taken to attract and retain outstanding employees. The district currently offers salaries $8,000 above the state base salary, provides a $450 medical benefit card, pays a $1,000 annual stipend to CDL holders, provides a $1,000 annual stipend for teachers with master's degrees, and offers a $5,000 annual stipend for teachers in critical shortage areas.
If re-elected, I will remain committed to continuous improvement by focusing on the issues that matter to our community: strong leadership throughout the district, improved academic outcomes for every student, financial responsibility, investment in our teachers and staff, and expanded opportunities that prepare students for success after graduation.
If anyone has any questions of me, feel free to contact me through my Facebook page: Eric L. Lee – Colmesneil ISD School Board President, by email at eric.lee@colmesneilisd.net, or by phone at 409-937-0283.
Eric Lee
Progress, Not Politics
