Conroe ISD Trustee Resigns for State Board Bid

**Conroe ISD Trustee Chris Taylor Resigns, Announces Bid for State Board of Education Seat**

**CONROE, TX – December 9, 2024** – Conroe ISD Board of Trustees Position 2 holder, Chris Taylor, formally announced his resignation today, effective December 18, 2024. Taylor is stepping down from his district post to launch a campaign for the State Board of Education (SBOE) District 8 seat in the 2026 Republican primary, citing a desire to serve Texas students and families at a broader level.

First elected to the Conroe ISD board in May 2017, Taylor was in his second term, which was originally scheduled to run through November 2026. During his tenure, Taylor was known for his focus on fiscal responsibility, advocating for parental rights in education, and championing local control initiatives. He served as a key voice in recent discussions surrounding curriculum transparency and district budgeting.

“It has been an incredible honor and privilege to serve the students, families, and dedicated educators of Conroe ISD for the past seven years,” Taylor stated in a press release Monday. “My time on the CISD board has deepened my commitment to ensuring every child receives a high-quality education that prepares them for success. This experience has also highlighted the critical role the State Board of Education plays in shaping our public schools statewide, and I feel called to contribute at that level.”

Taylor’s departure creates an immediate vacancy on the seven-member Conroe ISD Board of Trustees. The board is expected to address the process for filling this position at their upcoming meeting on January 14, 2025. According to district policy and state law, the board has two primary options:

1. **Appointment:** The board can appoint a qualified individual to serve the remainder of Taylor’s unexpired term, which concludes in November 2026. This option typically involves an application process and interviews of candidates by the board.
2. **Special Election:** The board can call a special election to fill the vacancy. If pursued, this election would likely be held on May 3, 2025, a uniform election date, potentially coinciding with other local elections. A special election would incur significant costs for the district.

“We appreciate Chris’s dedicated service to Conroe ISD and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Conroe ISD Board President Skeeter Hubert. “The board will carefully consider the best approach to fill Position 2 to ensure continuous representation for our community. Our priority is to maintain stability and continue our focus on providing excellence in education.” Details on the board’s decision-making process will be made available on the Conroe ISD website (www.conroeisd.net) following the January meeting.

Taylor is now shifting his focus to the SBOE District 8 race. This influential statewide body is responsible for setting curriculum standards, adopting instructional materials, establishing graduation requirements, and certifying educators for Texas public schools. The District 8 seat represents a vast geographic area encompassing Montgomery, Walker, Polk, San Jacinto, Liberty, Hardin, Tyler, Newton, Jasper, Orange, Jefferson, and portions of Harris counties.

The current occupant of the SBOE District 8 seat, Audrey Young, a Republican, has previously announced she will not be seeking re-election, opening the door for new candidates. Young, first elected in 2012, has been a prominent voice on the SBOE for conservative education principles. Given the district’s strong Republican lean, the 2026 primary is expected to be a competitive race.

Taylor’s campaign website, which he plans to launch in early 2025, will detail his platform and vision for the State Board of Education.

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