Chris Poteet, a Lake Highlands neighbor, will serve a second term on the RISD board.

Lake Highlands neighbor Chris Poteet and Pearce-area resident Megan Timme will each serve second 3-year terms on the Richardson ISD school board. Neither Poteet, first elected in 2021 to serve at-large in District 7, nor Timme, first elected in 2021 to serve single member District 1, drew opponents in the May 4 election.

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“I want to thank the district and community for my last 3 years of service on the board. It is my choice to run but the community’s choice for me to serve. For that I am both thankful and humbled,” Poteet said in a statement to Lake Highlands Advocate. “I continue to serve with a passion for both education and the people that support that important work. Our nearly 38,000 students and nearly 6,000 staff members deserve nothing less than a high level of support and commitment from their board of trustees. I have worked to bring that and will continue that for community, families, partners and of course, our students.”

The school district will save an estimated $150,000 in costs to administer the May election.

Poteet has served as the board’s secretary and represented trustees on the Skillman Corridor TIF board and the STARS Teacher selection committee, among other responsibilites. He touted numerous district accomplishments during his tenure, including selection of a new district superintendent, creation of two daycare facilities for district staff and establishment of an RISD staff health clinic.

Next year, the terms of Rachel McGowan, Vanessa Pacheco and Regina Harris expire. Each serves a single member district, and none has announced whether they plan to run again.

You may read Poteet’s full message to stakeholders here:

I am honored to announce that I filed my application for re-election as a member of the Richardson ISD Board of Trustees.  The election for another 3-year term is on Saturday, May 4th, 2024 (this year 😊). 

I want to thank the district and community for my last 3 years of service on the board.  It is my choice to run but the community’s choice for me to serve. For that I am both thankful and humbled. 

I continue to serve with a passion for both education and the people that support that important work. Our nearly 38,000 students and nearly 6,000 staff members deserve nothing less than a high level of support and commitment from their board of trustees. I have worked to bring that and will continue that for community, families, partners and of course, our students. 

My perspective has not changed in direction but has grown with experience and knowledge. Having two children who are RISD students, I have cherished my time engaging as both parent and trustee.  

 My focus on both staff and students has not changed. This focus has been defined through the development of our North Star Goal*. I understand that student achievement improves with critical efforts like family engagement, advocacy and recruiting AND retaining the best teachers and staff in the region. 

Some (not a complete list) results of this focus over the last three years are:

    • The comprehensive search and selection of a new Superintendent to lead RISD.
    • Creation of two RISD staff daycares (Little Eagles and Little Mustangs)
    • Creation of a RISD staff health clinic (teaming with Methodist Medical Group)
    • Improved competitive compensation packages and salaries for RISD staff and teachers.
    • Approval and opportunity to provide a board-level engineer / construction perspective on over $400 million in ongoing design and construction projects including:
      • Forest Meadow Junior High (Middle School transformation) renovation and additions
      • Lake Highlands Junior High (Middle School transformation) new construction
      • J. Pearce High School renovations and additions
    • Consistent improvement in state accountability measures since 2021
    • Consistent emphasis and vision on district budget matters, given enrollment and funding pressures.

I have had the honor and pleasure to also participate and represent the district in some of the following ways:

    • 2 years as board representative on STARS (Superior Teaching Achievement in RISD Schools) selection committee (teachers of the year for RISD).
    • 2 years as Board Secretary
    • 2 years as Board representative on the Skillman Corridor TIF Board
    • 2 years on Board Legislative Subcommittee
      • Covered the 88thLegislature (General Session and four Special Sessions)
      • Advocated locally and in Austin engaging with all RISD State Reps and State Senators
    • Board representative on RISD Equity Council
    • Board Policy Subcommittee member
    • Board representative on District Planning Committee
    • Board representative on District Strategic Planning Committee
    • Developed mutually beneficial relationships with Councilmembers and staff in both the City of Dallas and the City of Richardson

Looking forward, I want to continue to emphasize the focus of our North Star Goal* while bringing my perspectives and experiences in both navigating challenges and celebrating district successes. 

I believe in our schools!  I believe in our district leadership! I believe in our board! I believe in our staff! I believe in our community! Most importantly, I believe in our students and their potential! 

I am thankful for the support the community has provided me for the last 3 years. I look forward to earning that support over the next few months and reelection to continue that service.   

As the campaign develops, please be on the lookout for ways in which you can get involved in the campaign and in support of our district. 

Thank you again and I look forward to the start of the next chapter of serving RISD and our community! 

Chris Poteet 

*North Star Goal = Every student, teacher and leaders will meet or exceed their academic growth goals

Megan Timme represents single-member District 1.