KYLE — The Hays CISD Board of Trustees will see Raul Vela Jr. returning, alongside new faces Katy Armstrong and Alex Zavala, following the Saturday, May 2, election for a 2026-29 term.
Candidates were able to file for the election from Jan. 14 to Feb. 13, with early voting occurring April 20-28.
According to unofficial results, Armstrong won the Single Member District 2 seat with 189 votes, or 63.64%, while Jose Luis Perez garnered 108 votes, or 36.36%.
Armstrong noted that her election to the board is a continuation of her involvement in the community, as she has previously served on the district’s Facilities and Bonds Oversight Committee and ran an in-home preschool.
She advocates for restoring stipends for teachers, following Hays CISD’s $12 million in budget cuts, and an incremental approach for tax increases to allow the transition to be more palatable to voters.
"I don't take this position lightly and will do my best to uphold my campaign priorities: fair equity, responsible stewardship and the well-being of all students. Hays CISD makes it 100% possible," Armstrong said.
The Trustee At-Large position, previously held by Vanessa Petrea, will be filled by Zavala, who received 706 votes, or 54.48%. Opponent Ashlee Thurston had 590 votes, or 45.52%.
He emphasized his deep roots in the district, having graduated from Hays High School, and involvement in Parent Teacher Associations, the School Health Advisory and Facilities and Bonds Oversight committees.
Although Zavala supports trying for a tax increase, due to limited legislature funding, he emphasized pushing public education and outreach, as many community members are unaware of ongoing situations within the district. He also hopes to maintain Career and Technical Education programs, since his own children have participated in the cosmetology and nursing programs.
"I’m deeply honored to have been elected as your Hays CISD Trustee At-Large," said Zavala. " For me, this was never just about an election. It was about service, our students, our families, our educators and the future of this district ... The campaign is over. The work begins."
Vela, who has served since 2020, was unopposed for the Single Member District 1 seat and received 130 votes at 100%.
All results remain unofficial until canvassed. To learn more about the election, visit www.hayscisd.net/o/hcisd/page/election2026 or bit.ly/4tR2N0g to view voting results.
