From the months of July to August, three citizens decided to file and run for a position on the Gatesville ISD board of trustees.
There will be no election held for the three open positions for the Gatesville School Board as there were only three applications filed.
These candidates have responded to a forum held by the Gatesville Messenger to introduce themselves to the general public as well as provide insight into their decision to run for their designated position. Candidates will be listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Charles Ament, a six year returning member of the school board, was born and raised in Gatesville and was a charter member of the Gatesville school district graduating in 1970. Ament then went on to become an administrator for 20 years after teaching in public schools for 35 years.
Ament decided to run for the school board again as a way to give back to the district.
“Running for school board is my way of paying back Gatesville ISD for all it did for me and all it helped me in getting me ready for my college education,” Ament said.
Ament stated that his years of teaching and working in the public school systems qualifies him to sit on the school board.
“I’ve been a principal here in Gatesville for 20 years,” Ament said. “I know the budget process, I understand hiring and firing practices, I understand curriculum development and I understand campus planning. I feel like I can relate to the teachers and answer their questions in a knowledgeable way.
“My expertise is curriculum and instruction, and I enjoy bringing that knowledge to the board meetings,” Ament continued.
Ryan Bay, the newest member of the school board, has been a Gatesville resident since 2007. His family has owned and operated the Coryell Feed & Supply store for nearly 20 years and Bay himself is the owner of Turf Ranger Lawn Service, a chemical and fertilizer application company. Bay is also involved with various youth activities, such as 4-H and coaching youth sports. He has also served on the Coryell County Farm Bureau Board of Directors since 2008 and has been involved with other agricultural boards and committees over the years.
Bay decided to run for the school board for his two children. “I have two children, a freshman and a seventh-grader who are in GISD, so I have a direct interest in seeing the Gatesville Independent School District succeed and grow,” Bay said. “I ran because I care about the future of our children in Gatesville, and I want our students to have the best opportunities possible.”
According to Bay he is qualified for this position due to his belief in the school district.
“I felt qualified to serve on the school board because I have always believed that strong schools are the foundation of a strong community,” Bay said. “As a parent, community member and someone who cares deeply about the future of our students, I wanted to bring a practical, thoughtful perspective to the board.”
Calvin Ford, a returning member of the GISD School Board, has been a resident of Gatesville since he was born. Throughout his life in Gatesville Ford has volunteered with various Gatesville youth organizations such as coaching sports teams, ministers at his church as well as being involved with said church’s youth activities and has been an advocate for school organizations such as sports and theater.
Ford decided to run again because of how involved he is with the school.
“I want to help promote Gatesville to become the best school district in the state of Texas,” Ford said.
Ford also said that he is qualified to retain his position because of his involvement with both the school and the community.
“I feel like I know the needs of the schools,” Ford said. “I also just have a heart for helping.”