Two Boerne ISD incumbents hope to retain their seats on May 3, both facing challengers for their spots.
Place 5 Trustee Garrett Wilson currently is the board president. Running against Wilson is Boerne resident Scott Newberry, a retired educator himself.
Place 4 Trustee Maritza Gonzalez- Cooper has served 12 years on the Boerne board. She is facing the challenge of Sarah Faulkenberry, a Fair Oaks Ranch resident.
The Boerne Star asked all four candidates for answers to a series of questions dealing with issues currently facing the district. Here are their answers, accompanied by short biographies of each.
BOARD PLACE 4
Sarah Faulkenberry
Faulkenberry, 42, a nine-year BISD resident, is mother to two BISD students and the wife of wounded warrior. She is a community volunteer and member of various boards and committees within Boerne ISD, having recently served on executive board of the Boerne Education Foundation.
“As a military/veteran spouse and a daughter of a public-school teacher, serving on the school board is an opportunity to honor the service and sacrifice demonstrated to me at an early age,” she said.
She received a bachelor’s degree in restaurant, hotel and institutional management from Texas Tech, earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Texas-San Antonio and holds a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from UTSA.
She brings experience advocating with government entities, having been a military and now a wounded veteran spouse.
“I offer a unique perspective to the board by representing schools in the Fair Oaks Ranch community,” she added.
Maritza Gonzalez-Cooper Gonzalez-Cooper, 56, has lived in the Boerne ISD for the past 18 years. She is the mother of two BISD graduates and is employed as an adjuster at USAA.
In her 12 years on the board, she has had ample opportunity to serve on many subcommittees of board service, including finance, facilities, safety and security, curriculum and bond oversight.
Prior to joining the board, she served Kendall Elementary School as PTO president, and currently serves on the Kendall County Parks Advisory Committee, Chicktime Boerne, and has been a board member of the Texas Public Energy Alliance since 2015.
“These opportunities have given me a broad base of experience,” Gonzalez-Cooper said. “I have been a steadfast advocate for quality education, community engagement and transparent governance.
“With your continued support,” she said, “I will work tirelessly to ensure our children receive the highest quality education possible.”
BOARD PLACE 5
Scott Newberry
Newberry, 61, has been a resident of Boerne for five years. The retired educator and retired member of the U.S. Air Force served as an AFJROTC instructor for 17 years, earning numerous awards from the Air Force and coached armed drill teams and color guards to earn numerous trophies in competitions.
He also served as a military training leader at Lackland Air Force Base, and mentored numerous students to serve their community and their nation, including several accepted into service academies.
He said he possesses a culture of military professionalism with the Air Force core values of integrity, service and excellence.
“I want to change the culture of the school board for the positive, by working with parents and being more open to their questions and concerns,” he said.
Garrett Wilson
Wilson, 40, has lived in the district for more than nine years. Currently the BISD board president, he is a market executive, a senior vice president of private banking and commercial lending with Broadway Bank.
He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration/finance from Texas A&M University, and earned a master’s degree in petroleum engineering from New Mexico Tech in Socorro, New Mexico.
“Our kids attend schools in Boerne ISD along with over 11,100 other students, placing us in the top 10% of districts in Texas in terms of size,” Wilson said. “BISD has been a premier district for many years, and we need to safeguard and preserve this institution for our current and future students.”
Q&A
QUESTION 1
If your campaign for the Boerne School Board could be summed up with a motto or slogan, what would it be and why?
Faulkenberry, Pl. 4
“My motto would be ‘To foster the love of learning in each student.’ Not every student learns using the same method. One way to foster the love of learning is by ensuring we empower our teachers with the resources they need to meet the diverse learning styles of our students.
The love of learning is a skill that continues to be an asset even once you move past the classroom. It directly contributes to success as a contributing member of society.”
Gonzalez-Cooper, Pl. 4
“Committed to Excellence, Backed by Experience.” I have proven my leadership as board president during COVID. We demonstrated that we understood the critical importance of reopening our doors to students, prioritizing their well-being and education above all else.”
Newberry, Pl. 5
“Bring Boerne Back to Basics.” Parents want their students to graduate and be ready for higher education, the workforce or military service. Anything else is a distraction and a waste of precious resources and money. If parents want their kids to be indoctrinated, they can send them to college.”
Wilson, Pl. 5
“I would like us to deliver a world-class educational experience for every student; administer transparency and fiscal responsibility with our community’s tax dollars; ensure our incredible educators feel supported and appreciated to the point that they love coming to work every day; and continue getting parents and caregivers involved at every level of their child’s education.”
QUESTION 2
Teacher pay is always an issue. BISD teachers received a 1.5% pay raise for the 2024-25 school year, in addition to $300 retention pay. But -- is that enough? If not, how would you propose paying for a larger teacher pay package?
Gonzalez-Cooper, Pl. 4
“Increasing teacher pay and the current budgetary constraints are significant challenges. Teachers are vital to shaping the future of our society.
Boerne trustees must continue to look at ways to increase the teacher salaries while challenging our legislators to increase the Basic Allotment, which has not changed since 2018. Additionally, we can shift funding within school budgets to prioritize salaries over administrative costs.”
Faulkenberry, Pl. 4
“We are grateful that BISD increased teacher pay in the 20242025 school year, but an additional increase is warranted. I implore all BISD residents to contact their legislators to let them know we need an increase in the state funding formula for public schools.
On a district level, the district can continue to evaluate and implement cost savings methods. As a community, we can support our teachers by continuing to offer teacher incentives on local products and services.”
Wilson, Pl. 5
“1.5% is not enough. The state needs to increase funding for education, which remains the same since 2019, even while inflation has skyrocketed. I’m hopeful that state legislators will do the right thing. Either way, the district should continue looking for cost savings in other areas.
Under current law, the community could potentially vote to access additional funds not subject to Robin Hood. Of these funds, about 33% would essentially be free money from the state and 67% generated from taxes. This would enable a significant increase in teacher pay. However, that decision would be up to the voters.”
Newberry, Pl. 5
“The pay is never enough for teachers here in Boerne ISD and elsewhere. BISD can work with local businesses for incentives — such as vacation packages, goods and services to include up to a new car — for deserving teachers.”
QUESTION 3
Bullying, vaping, fentanyl use — all are current buzzwords in public schools. Pick ONE: How can the BISD properly/better respond?
Faulkenberry, Pl. 4
“Fentanyl is the No. 1 killer of Americans age 18-45. We as a community and a school district need to educate our student population on the risk of experimenting with just “one pill.”
Beyond alerting our children that street drugs commonly contain fentanyl, we also need to discuss mental health struggles. Take away the stigma of asking for help. Additionally, empowering our students with knowledge of exit strategies if they find themselves in a bad situation.
We need to continue to be a part of the solution by breaking down stereotypes that are putting children at risk.”
Gonzalez-Cooper, Pl. 4
“Boerne ISD can better respond to vaping by incorporating education, prevention, intervention and policy enforcement. Integrate age-appropriate anti-vaping education into curriculum, host info session for parents and use peer-led campaigns.
Consider installing vape detectors in restrooms or hidden areas. Partner with local health agencies or nonprofits to bring in support programs. Continue working with law enforcement and local health departments on prevention and intervention strategies.”
Newberry, Pl. 5
“Bullying, vaping, fentanyl use are all current issues. First, ban such activities and institute a no-tolerance policy on these offences (if not already done so). Then notify students and parents of such policies and the consequences of noncompliance.
Then follow through with a plan of action to include In-School Suspension or DAEP, commonly known as “Long Term.”
Wilson, Pl. 5
“Fentanyl and substance abuse are issues that the community needs to come together to address collectively. I challenge every parent and community member that is reading this, to attend one of BISD’s ‘One Pill Kills’ seminars and sign up to be a mentor in the BISD mentoring program.
Other great resources available to our kids are spiritually focused clubs and extracurricular groups such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young Life, See You at the Pole, and Stillwater Sports Camp. These organizations make a significant difference in the lives of our students and have an incredibly positive impact in our community.”
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