Tom Green County Democratic Party Chairman Endorses Lanny Layman for School Board

OPINION — One of the healthy things I believe our state does well is local elections. City government and the school board are not partisan elections. In these two types of local elections, one runs not as a Democrat or Republican but as a person seeking to serve our community. Not having the “labels” allows voters to look at the candidates as individuals, not party representatives and I think this is healthy.

The race for the at-large school board position at the San Angelo ISD is on May 4. For me, one candidate truly stands out: Lanny Layman.

Layman is elected President of the board by his fellow board members, and has served In that leadership role for the last 14 years. He is respected, informed and cares deeply about our children and school district. His children went to San Angelo public schools as did Lanny. He has given his heart to this community and the San Angelo ISD.

Lanny Layman deserves re-election.

His opponent, Chris Giroux seems well intentioned, but he said he supports private school vouchers when he spoke at the Democratic Party meeting. That should immediately disqualify him from serving on a public school board as taking tax money and giving it to private schools would be disastrous for public education funding as well as a violation of the First Amendment regarding religious liberty, if that money goes to a religious school. In short, vouchers are a horrible idea promoted by Empower Texans and the religious right that controls so much of the Republican party now (but not in Tom Green County yet).

Last fall I made a television commercial urging voters to vote for public education. I urge you to do so again on May 4th and support the re-election of Lanny Layman. Make it a priority to VOTE.

Other opinions on the May 4 school board election for the San Angelo ISD:

• County Republican Chair Weighs in on School Board Election
• Candidate Chris Giroux Responds to Republican Chair