San Benito ISD election showing strong voter turnout

SAN BENITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Wednesday was the third day of early voting for the May elections and in San Benito the school board race is heating up and drawing a sizable crowd.

According to information provided by the Cameron County Elections Office, the first two days of early voting in the race for school board attracted 20 percent more voters than the city's general election.

Candidates for school board in San Benito said residents are tired of the status quo.

“Who is going to get on that board and give answers to our community and ensure that they have all the facts," asked Theresa Servellon. Servellon is running for a seat on the school board in Place 1.

Servellon is running for a seat on the school board in Place 1 and is a former Superintendent with the district. After spending just one year of her three-year contract on the job, Servellon was placed on administrative leave and eventually resigned.

“We did a lot of good things while I was there as Superintendent," Servellon said. "We did a re-alignment of curriculum. We were being really fiscally responsible.”

The Superintendent position has been filled and vacated several times over the past few years. An interim superintendent has been in place since last Fall.

School Board candidate for Place 2 Crystal Hernandez said it's very important to her that the position be filled permanently.

“I think the priority is to secure a superintendent," said Hernandez. "Our staff wants stability that trickles down to our kids and that, to me, that’s a priority."

Hernandez added that while hiring someone for the position, it was important to do it in the right way.

“A Superintendent was hired without all the board’s knowledge," Hernandez said. "It was a select few that made that decision and we need to follow policy and procedure to ensure that we hire the best candidate to lead our district.”

Hernandez's campaign is reaching out to younger voters to increase turnout.

San Benito Consolidated Independent School District is also still struggling to complete construction of a performing arts theater and aquatic center.

The project has been riddled with problems ever since a $40 million bond measure was approved for construction. After construction had begun, problems with foundation were discovered. The school board decided the construction company was in default of its contract in January and as of now, the projects are essentially on hold until further notice.

Servellon said the uncertainty surrounding the construction projects could be contributing to strong voter turnout.

“I know that the performing arts center and the natatorium being at a standstill for a year and not having clear answers, that would drive a lot of what’s going on now as far as these elections," she said.

Hernandez said voters have told her this is an important issue for them. Looking from the outside, she said, all she could tell was that there were problems, but nothing was ever done to try and solve them.

"As I've been block walking, people have asked me about the aquatic center and the performing arts center," Hernandez said. "And I don't want to make any assumptions. All I can say is that the information that's been give to the public, as a citizen outside, we haven't seen any solutions."

Servellon said her decades of experience in education make her the best candidate for her race.

“People that have worked with me in the past, parents, stakeholders in the community, all know that I always put the kids before anything else. I'm very student centered. Student focused. Any decision I make is going to be in their best interest.”

Hernandez is also an educator, having worked at San Benito High School for several years. She said San Benito is a great district, but she has concerns about how students will compete with other districts in college or trade school readiness.

“I wanted to be part of a solution to move our district forward for our kids, our staff and our community," Hernandez said.

People gathered outside the community center said they expect to see a big day on Saturday, with large numbers coming out to vote.

Early voting continues through April 30, and Election Day in Cameron County is Saturday, May 4.