Sandra Bryant was sworn in May 19 of this year by Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Beth Smith (left). (Photo by Jim Cullen)
by WES FERGUSON
A new board member has made history in the Hays Consolidated Independent School District.
When Sandra Bryant raised her right hand and took the oath of office last month, she became the first black person to serve on the district’s Board of Trustees. She said her perspective as a racial minority would benefit the school district.
“It’s going to be another viewpoint,” Bryant said. “We all work as a team, but the different viewpoint I bring to the table maybe has not been seen or heard before.”
Not only is Bryant the district’s first black school board member, but she’s also the first black person to so much as run for the position. She hopes her victory will inspire people to follow in her footsteps.
“I believe it will encourage people to believe in themselves and see that they can make a difference by going for what they believe in,” she said. “I think it will give them hope that change is possible.”
Despite Bryant’s election, the student population of Hays CISD remains far more racially diverse than the board of trustees. One board member, Vice President Willie Tenorio, is Hispanic, and the remaining five members are white.
According to the Texas Education Agency, 3.5 percent of the students in Hays CISD are black. Sixty-one percent of the students are Hispanic, and 33 percent are white. Bryant said she hadn’t really considered why minorities are underrepresented on the school board.
“It doesn’t matter what race you are,” she said. “Just get involved and participate, because that’s what sustains us.”
Bryant has lived in Kyle since 2004 and works for the University of Texas System. She and her husband Ray – a former Kyle city councilman – have three children who attend schools in Hays CISD.
“I make no promises to parents,” she said, “but what I can do is act in the best interest of kids when making my decisions.”
The board’s next meeting is Aug. 15.
