Candidate Q&A – Ashlee Thurston – Hays CISD Board of Trustees At Large

Why are you running to be a trustee for the HCISD School Board?

As a parent in Hays CISD, I am deeply invested in the quality of education our students receive, supporting our teachers, and ensuring responsible fiscal management. I have the time, dedication, and real-world experience as a business owner and parent to serve effectively, and I’m committed to taking an active role in strengthening our schools. I’m running to help ensure our district continues to serve students, support educators, and remain accountable to our community.

 

What is your experience volunteering with or supporting the school district?

I served as a substitute teacher in the district during a time of increased need, which gave me the opportunity to experience our schools from a different perspective and better understand the day-to-day challenges in the classroom. As a parent, I have also volunteered on campus and in classrooms for various events, allowing me to stay actively involved and connected to our school community.

 

With the state not providing adequate funding for public schools and the Tax Rate Election in November 2025 failing, Hays CISD may face cuts to programs and staff. How would you work to ensure the district continues delivering high-quality education while maintaining a strong accountability rating?

With limited state funding the district is facing difficult but necessary decisions. My priority would be to protect the classroom experience as much as possible, especially in early grades where larger class sizes can have the greatest impact on student outcomes. This requires responsible budgeting, prioritizing essential services, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently before making cuts that directly affect students and teachers. I also see an opportunity to strengthen community involvement by encouraging parent engagement and appropriate volunteer support to help ease classroom demands. With thoughtful leadership and transparency, we can navigate these challenges while continuing to deliver a high-quality education and maintain strong accountability standards.

 

Hays CISD currently partners with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office to provide School Resource Officers (SROs), but state law now requires armed security at every campus. With officer shortages making this challenging, how would you work to ensure compliance, and would you support the district creating its own police department?

Student safety is non-negotiable, and the district must comply with state requirements for armed security on every campus. Given current officer shortages, I would support working closely with local law enforcement partners to prioritize coverage, explore alternative staffing solutions allowed by the state, and ensure resources are used as efficiently as possible. Currently, I do not believe creating a district police department is a realistic or fiscally responsible option, especially considering existing budget challenges. My focus would be on practical, cost-effective solutions that keep our campuses secure while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.

 

In 2025, the Texas Legislature passed SB13, giving parents more oversight of school library materials. Since then, groups like Moms for Liberty have shown up to meetings, raising concerns about certain books and labeling some content as inappropriate. How would you ensure that this review process is used responsibly and does not lead to the removal of books that present diverse perspectives or differing viewpoints?

This issue is fundamentally about ensuring materials are age-appropriate for students. There should be clear, objective standards that guide what content is suitable at different grade levels. At the same time, decisions should not be based on personal opinions or individual preferences, as that can lead to inconsistent and overly broad restrictions. I would support a transparent, consistent review process that respects parental input while ensuring students continue to have access to a wide range of perspectives and ideas appropriate to their age and development.

 

In early 2026, Hays CISD students protested perceived injustices affecting immigrants and citizens by walking off campus during school hours. The district initially allowed protests but later restricted them after threats from the TEA, the Attorney General, and the Governor. As a trustee, how would you ensure future protests are handled responsibly, balancing student safety with the right to express themselves?

The district’s first responsibility is to ensure the safety of every student while maintaining a focused learning environment. The changes put in place, requiring protests to take place off campus and outside instructional time, or with a parent formally checking a student out, strikes the right balance by protecting student safety, respecting parental authority, and preserving the integrity of the school day. As a trustee, I would support clear, consistent guidelines that keep campuses safe and free from disruption while ensuring families retain their right to engage in civic activities in the appropriate setting.

 

With Comprehensive High School No. 4 opening in Fall 2029, Hays CISD is planning a major rezoning in 2028; how will you ensure the process is fair, equitable, and considers the district’s diverse population, especially now that the zoning committee process has been discontinued and staff will create proposals for board approval?

Although the district is working through budget considerations that may impact this timeline, it’s important that when rezoning occurs, the process is thoughtful and transparent. I would approach zoning with a strong focus on logistics, prioritizing reasonable commute times, efficient transportation, and proximity so students can fully participate in academic and extracurricular activities. As a parent, I understand the burden long travel times can place on families, and I believe this should be a primary consideration. From there, I would support a fair data driven process that is clearly communicated to families and considers the needs of our growing and diverse community.