Dungan Steps Down from CISD, Targets SBOE Position

**Conroe ISD Trustee Melissa Dungan Resigns to Pursue State Board of Education Seat; Board to Discuss Vacancy Options**

**CONROE, TX – December 10, 2024** – Conroe Independent School District (CISD) Trustee Melissa Dungan has officially stepped down from her Position 5 seat, effective December 9, 2024, to launch a campaign for the State Board of Education’s (SBOE) District 8 seat. Her resignation creates a vacancy on the CISD board, prompting immediate discussions on how to fill the unexpired term.

Dungan, a Republican, will challenge incumbent Republican Matt Robinson for the District 8 SBOE position. Her campaign platform emphasizes “parental rights” and “fiscal responsibility,” themes that have resonated strongly in recent Texas education debates.

“My time on the Conroe ISD board has further solidified my commitment to ensuring our educational system truly serves students and empowers parents,” Dungan stated in a recent announcement regarding her candidacy. “I believe the principles of parental rights and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars are paramount, and I look forward to advocating for them at the state level.”

Dungan first joined the Conroe ISD board in November 2022, and her term was originally slated to conclude in November 2026. Board President Datren Williams formally accepted her resignation on Monday.

The CISD board is scheduled to discuss its options for filling the vacant Position 5 at its upcoming meeting on January 21, 2025. Typically, the board can either appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the term or call for a special election. Should they opt for a special election, it would most likely take place on May 3, 2025, coinciding with other potential local elections. An appointed trustee would serve until the next general election in November 2026, when voters would choose a candidate to complete the remaining portion of the term, if any. A special election would allow voters to decide who completes the term directly.

“We thank Trustee Dungan for her service to Conroe ISD and wish her the best in her future endeavors,” said Board President Datren Williams. “Our immediate focus is on ensuring a smooth transition and determining the most effective and democratic path forward to fill Position 5 for our community. We encourage community members to stay informed as we discuss these important decisions at our January meeting.”

The State Board of Education plays a crucial role in shaping public education in Texas. Its responsibilities include setting curriculum standards, reviewing and adopting textbooks, managing the Permanent School Fund, and overseeing teacher certification. District 8, for which Dungan is campaigning, is geographically vast, covering a significant portion of Central and East Texas. This expansive district includes counties such as Montgomery, Walker, San Jacinto, Polk, Trinity, Angelina, Nacogdoches, Houston, Cherokee, Anderson, Freestone, Limestone, Leon, Madison, Robertson, Brazos, Grimes, Washington, Austin, Waller, Burleson, and Milam.

The upcoming campaign for SBOE District 8 is expected to draw considerable attention given the board’s influence on state educational policy. Meanwhile, the Conroe ISD community will closely watch the board’s decision regarding the vacant Position 5, which will have implications for the district’s governance and future direction. Further details on the CISD board’s meeting agenda and the process for filling the vacancy will be made available on the district’s official website.