School Board Elections are currently open to candidates. The last day to file for a place on the ballot is February 14th, 2025
School Board Elections are currently open to candidates. The last day to file for a place on the ballot is February 14th, 2025
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible to be a candidate for, or elected or appointed to, the office of school board member, a person must:
- Be a United States citizen.
- Be 18 years of age or older on the first day of the term to be filled at the election or on the date of appointment, as applicable.
- Have not been determined by a final judgment of a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.
- Have not been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities [but see Ineligibility below].
- Have resided continuously in the state for 12 months and in the territory from which the office is elected for six months immediately preceding the following date: February 14, 2025 (5:00 PM)
- a. For an independent candidate, the date of the regular filing deadline for a candidate's application for a place on the ballot.
- b. For a write-in candidate, the date of the election at which the candidate's name is written in.
- c. For an appointee to an office, the date the appointment is made.
- Be registered to vote in the territory from which the office is elected on the date described at item 5, above.
Election Code 1.020, 141.001(a); Gov't Code 601.009; Tex.
Const. Art. XVI, Sec. 14
A person may not be elected trustee of an independent school district unless the person is a qualified voter. Education Code 11.061(b)
A person is ineligible to serve as a member of the board of a district if the person has been convicted of a felony or an offense under Penal Code 43.021 (solicitation of prostitution). Education Code 11.066
Where Do You File To Be On the Ballot?
Candidate applications are filed at the Forney ISD Administration Building.
Forney Independent School District
600 S. Bois d’Arc St.
Forney, TX 75126
Voting locations will be posted as confirmed (in conjunction with the Kaufman County Elections Administrator)
Elected Officers of Political Subdivision
Who is On the Current School Board?
Year Elected Officer’s Term Expires
- Greg Pharris, Board President 2026
- Chad Johnson, Board Vice President 2025 ** Expires This Year
- Becky Dobbs, Board Secretary 2025 ** Expires This Year
- Hanna Bateman, Board Member 2027
- Katrina Burkhalter, Board Member 2025 ** Expires This Year
- Michael Idemudia, Board Member 2027
- Scott Regan, Board Member 2026
What is in the 2025 Trustee Candidate Packet?
Applicant Packet Contents:
• Forney ISD 2025 Trustee Election Calendar showing pertinent dates for election-related activities
• Application for a Place on the Forney ISD General Election Ballot**
- The loyalty oath is included on this form and is to be filed at the Forney ISD Superintendent’s Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 14, 2025. The first day of filing is Wednesday, January 15, 2025. There is no filing fee. The statement regarding nepotism is on the second page of the application. Your signature on the application will cover the required signature for this document.
• Policy BAA(Legal) covering the Board’s legal status, powers, and duties.
• Policy BBA(Legal) outlining eligibility/qualifications for Board Member candidates.
• Policy BBBA(Legal) regarding reporting campaign funds.
• Policy BBBB(Legal) regarding elections ethics.
• Policy BBD(Legal) regarding board members training and orientation.
• Policy DBE(Legal)(Exhibit) regarding Nepotism
• Texas Ethics Commission Forms and Instructions:
- 2025 Filing Schedule
- Campaign Finance Guide For Candidates and Officeholders Who File with Local Filing Authorities
- Political Advertising: What You Need to Know
- Fair Campaign Practices Act
- Form CFCP - Code of Fair Campaign Practices**
- Form CTA – Appointment of Candidate’s Campaign Treasurer by a Candidate and Instruction Guide**
- Form ACTA – Amended Appointment of Candidate’s Campaign Treasurer by a Candidate and Instruction Guide
- Form C/OH – Candidate’s Campaign Finance Report and Instruction Guide
- Form CIQ – Conflict of Interest Questionnaire (To be filed in the office of the Superintendent, if elected)
- Form CIS – Local Government Officer Conflicts Disclosure Statement (To be filed in the office of the Superintendent, if elected)
It is the duty of the candidate to become familiar with the applicable law regarding campaigns for office. The duty of the Forney ISD is limited to accepting and filing the reports and noting the date received thereon.
Phone Numbers & Websites
- For answers to questions on financial reports or ethics, you can contact the Texas Ethics Commission at 1.800.325.8506 or visit their website at www.ethics.state.tx.us.
- Information regarding elections can be found on the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.tx.us.
- Please contact the City of Forney for information regarding campaign signage at 972.564.7300.
- For local assistance, please contact Lynnette Spence, Executive Assistant to the School Board at 469-762-4100 x10102 or Ldspence@forneyisd.net
Reminders
- File Ethics Commission Forms at the Superintendent’s Office, located at the Administration Building.
- First Day to File an Application for a Place on the Ballot is Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
- Last Day to File an Application for a Place on the Ballot is Friday, February 16, 2024 by 5:00 p.m
The Important Dates for the School Board Election Calendar
Election: Saturday, May 3, 2025
Friday, May 3, 2024 Deadline to post candidate requirements Form 1-20
Monday, December 16, 2024 Post notice of the filing period dates on front door & website (Needs to be posted prior to leaving for winter break)
Wednesday, January 1, 2025* First Day to apply for ballot by mail *First day to apply does not move because of New Year’s Day holiday. An “Annual ABBM” or FPCA for a January or February 2025 election may be filed earlier, but not earlier than the 60th day before the date of the January or February election.
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 FIRST DAY TO FILE FOR A PLACE ON THE BALLOT
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 If a candidate dies on or before this date his name is not included on the ballot.
Friday, February 14, 2025 LAST DAY TO FILE FOR A PLACE ON THE BALLOT - 5:00 p.m. LAST DAY TO ORDER GENERAL ELECTION
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 DEADLINE FOR WRITE-IN CANDIDATES TO FILE DECLARATIONS – 5:00 pm
Thursday, February 20, 2025 CANDIDATE ORIENTATION WORKSHOP – Superintendent’s Office – 600 S. Bois d’Arc, Forney, TX – 6:00 PM
Thursday, February 20, 2025 Post Notice of Ballot Position Drawing for Monday, February 24, 2025
Friday, February 21, 2025 LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM THE ELECTION – 5:00 pm. FIRST DATE TO CANCEL A GENERAL ELECTION
Monday, February 24, 2025 BALLOT POSITION DRAWING – 6:00 p.m.
Monday, March 3, 2025 Last day for a candidate/write-in to File Declarations of Write in Candidacy – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Deadline to deliver notice of the election to the county election officer and voter registrar of each county in which the district is located
Friday, March 14, 2025 –Thursday, June 12, 2025 Mandatory Office Hours - office must be open for election duties for at least 3 hours each day, during regular office hours, on regular business days.(School District’s are not required to be open during Spring Break or Good Friday)
Thursday, April 3, 2025 First day to PUBLISH Notice of Election (Website and Bulletin Board and Newspaper). Last day to register to vote and last day for voter to make a change of address that will be effective for the election
Saturday, April 12, 2025 Last day to POST Notice of Election (Website and Bulletin Board and Newspaper)
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 EARLY VOTING IN PERSON BEGINS
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Early Voting. Last day to apply for a ballot by mail (Received, not postmarked)
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 Early Voting. Last day to PUBLISH Notice of Election
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 LAST DAY TO VOTE EARLY IN PERSON
Saturday, May 3, 2025 ELECTION DAY – 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Last day to receive early voting ballot by mail (7:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 First day to conduct official canvass of election returns
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 Last day to conduct official canvass of election returns
Online Applicant Information
For more informatio, visit the Forney ISD Election Information Page and view the 2025 Trustee Candidate Packet Online.
Thank you to all of those who serve on the Forney ISD Board and we look forward to the Best and Brightest applying in the 2025 election!