East Austin Voters to Choose New School Board Member

In November, East Austin voters will decide between two candidates to replace Austin school board member Ofelia Zapata for the District 2 seat.

District 2 runs along Interstate 35, mostly east of the highway, from just north of Lady Bird Lake to south of East Slaughter Lane. Zapata, who has served since 2020, is not seeking reelection.

The new board member will join as the district faces a $119 million budget shortfall and a state-mandated order addressing chronic failings in special education services. District 2 is also home to Mendez Middle School, operated by charter company Third Future Schools since 2022 after years of low state test scores.

The Candidates

Sarah Ivory, 37, is a former teacher with experience in St. Louis, Del Valle, and Austin schools. She currently works for Texas Education THRIVE, a UT program providing professional development to school districts. Ivory aims to improve district responsiveness to community feedback and enhance campus outcomes.

“I wanted to be part of a change to make District 2 schools the premier schools, to make Austin ISD the premier district in Texas,” Ivory said.

Ivory advocates for restorative practices in social-emotional learning and literacy resources, and she believes Mendez Middle School should return to Austin district control, potentially partnering with a local art nonprofit.

LaRessa Quintana, 29, an Austin school district graduate and vocal advocate for foster care reform, has worked at the Capitol and on Austin City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes' campaign. She recently started working for the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Quintana aims to bring more resources to District 2 students.

“Our board and our system is capable of doing more,” Quintana said. “We’re capable of passing good policies, of engaging in different and creative ways, of showing up more.”

Quintana also supports returning Mendez Middle School to district control, noting the difficulty in assessing Third Future's performance due to low enrollment and the absence of recent campus ratings.

AISD School Board Races

Incumbents Kevin Foster (District 3) and Lynn Boswell (District 5) are running unopposed. Six candidates are vying for the District 8 at-large seat to replace Noelita Lugo.

Early voting begins Oct. 21, with Election Day on Nov. 5.