LISD Board of Trustees candidates share their views on the district’s biggest challenge, what role parents should play in curriculum decisions

Lewisville Independent School District is holding a special election to fill the Board of Trustees seat vacated by Buddy Bonner. Early voting started on October 20 and runs through October 31, including Sunday.

Early voters are able to cast their ballot at any of the 41 polling locations in Denton County. On Election Day, Nov. 4, voters must go to the polling place that is assigned to them and can be found here.

The two candidates, Madison Lopez and Michelle Alkhatib, filled out a questionnaire that was sent to them by North Texas Sun. The answers have not been modified in any way.

Lewisville ISD is in the process of transitioning to five single-member districts and two at-large seats. Even though Alkhatib currently serves on the board, her term expires in 2026 and the seat will be absorbed with the switch to single-member districts. This election is for an at-large seat.

Michelle Alkhatib, community volunteer and former educator, Highland Village, www.michelle4lisd.com

What prompted you to run for office?

Lewisville ISD is a district my family and I deeply value and are proud to call home. Before we had children, we chose to purchase our home in this district because of its strong reputation and the exceptional opportunities it provides for students. As an educator, those qualities were most important to me when making that decision.

Since then, I have remained actively involved in Lewisville ISD—volunteering at various levels, serving in multiple PTAs, founding new PTAs within the district, and participating on both district and campus committees. Through these experiences, I have been able to advocate for our students and help empower parents to get involved, understand available resources, and engage in meaningful ways to support our schools and community.

What unique experience or perspective would you bring to the board?

Before joining the Board of Trustees, I served as both a teacher and a principal, giving me firsthand insight into how district policies affect classrooms, educators, and families. This experience allows me to approach board decisions with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within our schools.

My connection to Lewisville ISD runs deep. Long before I was elected, I actively served on the District Advisory Council, Superintendent’s Committee, Key Communicators, and the Long-Range Planning Committee—collaborating with parents, educators, and community members to strengthen our district.

Together, these experiences allow me to bring a well-rounded perspective to the board—one rooted in education, community engagement, and a steadfast commitment to helping every student succeed.

Are there any initiatives you’ve seen implemented at other school districts that you think are worth exploring here?

Lewisville ISD is an incredible district doing exceptional work for students, staff, and families. We are fortunate to have innovative programs, dedicated educators, and a strong sense of community that set us apart. That said, I believe it’s always valuable to look outward and explore new ideas from other districts that could enhance what we already do so well.

Many districts are finding creative ways to market their strengths—highlighting student achievements, academic pathways, and community partnerships to attract and retain families. I think this is an area worth exploring further in LISD. Continuing to tell our story—to both our own community and neighboring districts—helps strengthen pride, build trust, and showcase the many reasons why Lewisville ISD is such a special place to learn and grow.

What do you see as the biggest challenge that the district is facing?

One of the biggest challenges facing our district—like many across the state—is the ongoing budget deficit, combined with teacher shortages and retention concerns. These issues are deeply interconnected. When funding is limited, it directly impacts compensation, resources, and the overall support we can provide to our teachers and staff.

Our teachers are the heart of our district, and we must prioritize finding sustainable solutions that allow us to recruit and retain the very best. This includes continued advocacy for adequate state funding, creative approaches to staff support, and maintaining a culture where educators feel valued, heard, and equipped to do their best work.

Even in the face of financial challenges, Lewisville ISD remains a strong and united district. By working together and focusing on our people—our students, staff, and community—we can continue to navigate these challenges and keep our district moving forward.

In recent years, there’s been growing discussion about the role parents should play in shaping what’s taught in schools. In your view, who should have input on curriculum decisions?

Parents should be the loudest voice in their child’s education. They play a vital role in shaping learning experiences and ensuring that what is taught reflects the needs and values of our community. In Lewisville ISD, we are fortunate to have a strong curriculum review process that invites parent participation and feedback on instructional resources before they are adopted.

Curriculum decisions should always be guided by collaboration between educators, teachers, and parents. Our teachers bring professional expertise in aligning curriculum to state standards and student learning needs, while parents bring an essential perspective on how those lessons connect to their child’s experiences at home and in the community. When these voices come together, we create a well-rounded, transparent, and responsive educational environment where students thrive.

When residents ask you why you voted for school closures, what do you tell them?

Before considering campus retirements, the district worked to offset the shortfall through staff reductions by attrition, adjusting middle school schedules, and reviewing underutilized programs. Even with those efforts, it wasn’t enough to sustain operations long term.

We then had to evaluate building efficiency and sustainability. Rising operational costs made it clear that spreading limited resources thin—across maintenance, programs, and specialized staffing like bilingual and special education—wasn’t responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. A community committee reviewed every campus in detail, and all of that work is available publicly on our website.

The decision to retire five campuses was incredibly difficult. These schools hold deep meaning for our families, staff, and neighborhoods. But being good stewards sometimes requires hard choices that protect the long-term health of our district. Since consolidating, we’ve been able to focus resources where they’re needed most, providing stronger academic programs, more opportunities, and better support for students.

Madison Lopez, attorney, Lewisville, https://lopezforlisd.my.canva.site

What prompted you to run for office?

I’m running because I want to give back to the district that helped shape who I am today. The staff and families of LISD poured into me, challenging me to become the best version of myself. The schools and programs that this district offered led me to pursue a career in law. LISD has a history of excellence, and I want to help ensure that we stay on a path committed to excellence in all areas, from academic excellence to communication and collaboration with the community.

What unique experience or perspective would you bring to the board?

I bring personal and professional perspectives that are not represented by the Board currently. I am a young mom, an attorney, a former prosecutor, an LISD graduate, and someone who went to school in the Lewisville feeder pattern. None of these perspectives are currently represented by the Board. I think it is critical to have a trustee on the Board who has lived the LISD story personally as a student and who has walked the halls of our most vulnerable schools. Additionally, my professional expertise as an attorney will ensure there is someone on the Board who has familiarity working with the law when we advocate for our students in Austin. As a former prosecutor, I bring critical decision-making experience in high-stakes environments and a record of service to my community.

Are there any initiatives you’ve seen implemented at other school districts that you think are worth exploring here?

Other districts have expanded choice by offering a variety of school models for families to choose from. LISD’s STEM academies have thrived and attracted families to the district, so we should continue supporting them while also exploring the value and impact of other high-demand options like magnet or classical programs.

What do you see as the biggest challenge that the district is facing?

Like districts across the state of Texas, LISD is facing significant funding challenges. The basic student allotment has not kept up with the cost of inflation. We must advocate for our students and staff by supporting an increase in the basic student allotment, but we should also work with our representatives to support policies that keep our tax dollars local and encourage an audit of TEA, so our tax dollars go more to classrooms than bureaucracy.

In recent years, there’s been growing discussion about the role parents should play in shaping what’s taught in schools. In your view, who should have input on curriculum decisions?

Parents are essential partners in education. They are a child’s first and foremost teachers. I believe curriculum decisions should be guided by state standards and educational expertise, but informed by community values through strong communication and transparency. When parents, teachers, and administrators work together, students thrive.

Why do you want to have an audit of the Texas Education Agency?

TEA’s bureaucracy has grown significantly over the past decade. The agency oversees standardized STAAR testing, vendor contracts, and extensive consulting work. This work should not take priority over funding our classrooms. I believe in transparency and putting our students first, so I will work with legislators in calling for an audit that happens sooner rather than later.