Five vying for spots on Cameron ISD school board

Early voting continues for the May 4 Cameron ISD Board of Trustees Election this week.

Early voting will run from April 25-26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and April 29-30 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Cameron City Hall, 100 South Houston Avenue in Cameron.

Election day voting will be held at Yoe High School, 303 East 12th Street in Cameron on Saturday, May 4, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Five candidates have filed for three at-large positions on the board.

Incumbents Franci Denio and Annisha Williams have filed along with John Anderle, Galdino Banda and Linda Richter.

The candidates answered a few questions from The Herald:

Why are you running for the school board? 

John Anderle: Honestly, because I don’t want to sit on the sidelines and just complain about the shape our school district is in. We need a change and even though I may not be able to just jump in there and make changes, I can go in and learn how we can improve our district for our kids and teachers. These kids are our future. They are the people that are going to be running our great town in a few years. We have to invest in them.

Galdino Banda: As the husband of a teacher and being a Yoe graduate myself, I know the importance of having every Yoe student prepared for life after high school. To support that, I believe we must also have a strong support base for our staff and a safe learning environment for our students. 

I’m running for School Board because I want to be a strong advocate for teachers in helping achieve those goals. Having a direct role as a Board Trustee, I can make sure we strengthen and grow the Yoe tradition we all know and love.

Franci Denio: I was born and raised a Yoemen. My mother, Frances Walzel, was a lifelong educator. Through her dedication and love of teaching, I learned the value of education. 

Every Yoemen deserves the opportunity to learn to their greatest potential. Public education provides an avenue for each student to grow, learn & pursue their aspirations. I strive to ensure the best opportunities are available for all Yoemen to achieve their full potential. 

I feel time and effort devoted to the youth of our community is an investment in the future of Cameron. My great-grandfather, grandfather and father also realized the value of dedicating their time towards the youth of our community and a great education by serving on the Cameron ISD School Board. This is a family legacy of serving I am very proud of and hope to continue. 

Linda Richter: I was honored to be a teacher and coach for Cameron ISD for 40 years.  During that time I experienced the good and the bad of education.  I’ve seen facility improvements in the last 40 years.  I raised my daughter as a Proud Yoemen and now am watching my two granddaughters grow as Proud Yoemen.  I am invested in Cameron ISD and this community.   Cameron is my home.  I think my experience in education and my commitment to the students and staff of Cameron ISD gives me great insight to be a positive contributing member of the Cameron School Board.  I would very much like to have the opportunity to be a part of Cameron ISD’s commitment to excellence.

Annisha Williams: Being of service is always something that has called to me, I truly enjoy it. I have children in the district, and I also know that there are certain people in our community that don’t feel seen or heard, that is where I come in. 

I enjoy talking with people and I don’t mind being a voice for those that feel that they can’t speak out for whatever reason. Parents, teachers, and support staff and even students come to me with their concerns. 

I hope to continue to be that voice.

What do you feel the most important issue the school district faces right now? 

John Anderle: I don’t think there is just one single issue to address, there are multiple issues.

1. We need to take care of our veteran teachers so we can quit losing them. Our school has made great strides in recruiting new teachers, but we have to stop losing our veteran teachers to other districts strictly because of pay or administration.

2. The lack of discipline in our schools is out of control. Let’s get it fixed and uniform across the district.

3. Our athletic department - both girls and boys sides - is in shambles, hopefully the new HC/AD can get a handle on that.

4. Our facilities are great, now we need to start investing in our personnel.

Galdino Banda: I understand that there is a nationwide shortage of teachers, making the hiring process more difficult in a rural school district, such as Cameron ISD. An issue near and dear to my heart is seeing wonderful teachers or staff, that have served our community for many years, leaving our school district for neighboring districts or leaving the profession altogether. 

As a School Board Trustee, one is entrusted with collaborating with administration to ensure that staff support is given throughout the year, and I look forward to addressing this issue.

Franci Denio: In the past 12 years of serving on the Cameron ISD School Board there have been many challenges in public education. 

Creating a safe learning environment is the top priority so that every Yoemen can thrive. School safety is crucial because it ensures that students, teachers and staff can focus on learning and teaching. A big part of school safety is student discipline and respect for teachers and administrators. School safety and discipline is very important to me because CISD is entrusted with your most valuable possession, your children and we must have a culture of discipline where all Yoemen can be successful. 

Another important issue is hiring and retaining great educators. Teachers serve so many vital roles in the lives of their students. Not only are they educators, but also mentors, counselors and advocates. They inspire love for learning and serve as role models to our Yoemen. Our educators are the pillars of CISD and they have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our Yoemen … we need the best for our students. 

Lastly, CISD wants to prepare our students to be successful citizens.  Not all students will attend college.  Students need hands-on training and skills to be able to get a jobs after they graduate.  The renovation of “Old Yoe” into a first class Career and Technology Education center will open doors & opportunities for our Yoemen beyond Cameron ISD.

Linda Richter: I think the most important issue right now is hiring and retaining quality teachers and coaches.  School funding and a school voucher program could also impact Cameron ISD and all education in Texas.  The anticipated growth of Milam County could also present challenges for Cameron ISD.   

Annisha Williams: In short, communication. There are a lot of things going on around the district right now. A lot of new and exciting things such as the CTE Center. There are also things that we can improve on. 

Because there is so much going on, everyone needs to be of one accord. Parents need to talk to teachers, teachers need to give feedback to administrators and the administration needs to let the parents know yes, we hear you, yes, we want what is best for your child and we take your concerns seriously. Then action needs to take place. 

Cameron ISD can only improve if we all work together as one. 

What is your background and how will that help you make decisions for the school district? 

John Anderle: I’m a proud Yoe grad. My wife taught in the school district for 15 years and my two kids are in school here. I left Cameron to go to college and attend the fire academy before returning to Cameron in 2003. I am a Sam Houston State graduate and a retired Houston firefighter. I moved back to raise a family here because I love our town and our schools. I eventually came back to work for the family business. My wife and I bough the business in November of last year, so we are invested in this town and the school district.

Galdino Banda: I have taught Criminal Justice classes for McMurry University, and for the past eight years I have served as a Juvenile Probation Officer in Milam County. I believe that I can bring valuable experience to the Board in working with our youth and teachers. I have experienced the joy that our teachers have when they connect with a student or break through to have students realize their full potential. I’m determined that my background in working with our youth would strengthen our School Board in addressing issues that the district faces year-round.

Franci Denio: I am a 1989 Yoe High School graduate and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. After college, I chose to live in Cameron and raise my three children as Yoemen. 

For the past 30 years I have managed our family businesses. I have been active in the community and realize the importance of community support and involvement in our schools. Whether it is running a family business, parenting my children or serving on community boards - I realize the need of working together to accomplish common goals. Decisions are made daily to ensure the outcome of those goals is the best; no matter which aspect of my life. 

I love our schools and our community. When you love something you put your heart into it and my heart is in CISD and I will devote the time and effort necessary for it’s success. 

Linda Richter: I am an honor graduate of Thrall High School and an honor graduate of The University of Texas in Austin where I played basketball on scholarship.  

I was and still am very active in the Texas Girls Coaches Association where I served on committees and chaired committees as well as being a guest lecturer. 

After having a very successful career with many talented Lady Yoe athletes I was inducted into the Texas Girls Coaches Association Hall of Fame.    

I spent my entire teaching/coaching career in Cameron ISD.  Having spent 40 years in the trenches of education gives me great insight into education and how the school business works.  

I have had the opportunity to experience both the good and the bad in education and eagerly look forward to doing everything I can to make Cameron ISD the best in the State where all our students get a great education and are prepared to be successful in life when they graduate.  

Annisha Williams: I am a 2004 graduate of Yoe High and I was active in student government all throughout my years in the district. In junior high, I served as one of three students on a campus action committee made up of teachers and people from the community. In high school I served as president and vice president of the student council. In short, I am used to being at the forefront of helping make things better for the district. I am currently in my first term as a board trustee, and it is different on this side of the fence but the desire to help our district improve and be great is one that I feel literally runs through my veins. 

Tell me about you; family, job, hobbies, etc

John Anderle: As stated earlier, I’m a proud Cameron Yoemen. Both of my parents are proud Yoe graduates. My wife taught school in the district for 15 years before I roped her into coming to help me at the lumberyard. Both of our kids are Young Yoemen. I’m a retired Houston firefighter and a retired Milam County Constable. My wife Andrea and I own Anderle Lumber Co. here in Cameron now. Our hobbies are pretty limited to following out kids around in all the different activities they participate in.

Galdino Banda: Before I graduated from Yoe High School in 2008, I was blessed with meeting the love of my life during marching band. In 2018, we got married and bought a house in the only place we’ve ever called home, Cameron, America! (Thanks Coach Tuck.) 

I’m involved in my community through Cameron Evening Lions Club and serve on boards in local organizations in Cameron. I currently work with our youth in Milam County and strive to make a difference every day. Throughout the year, you’re also likely to see us decorating our house for Halloween and Christmas for families to enjoy, and we usually go all out! I love Cameron and I’m excited for the opportunity to serve you on our School Board.

Franci Denio: I am married to Randy Denio and we have three children who are Yoe High School graduates and also Texas A&M University graduates. We have two grandsons who we hope will be Cameron Yoemen soon! 

I work in our family business, Denio’s Furniture, Flooring & Fireplaces where I do interior design & the day to day business operations. Randy and I own Denio Design + Build and we do home renovations. I love what I do and enjoy every project as if it was my own. I am active in our community where I have served as Chamber Board President, VP Milam County Aggie Moms,  and currently I serve as Secretary of the Cameron Industrial Foundation and CISD School Board Trustee and President.  My hobbies are gardening, sewing, home designing and arrowhead hunting. In my free time, you will find me spending time outdoors with my family, especially my two grandsons.

Linda Richter: I am married to Michael Richter and we have three daughters and eight grandchildren. 

My daughter Kerri is an honor graduate of Yoe High School and a Cameron ISD teacher for 21 years where she has received Teacher of the Year honors. Her two daughters, my granddaughters, attend Cameron ISD so I definitely have a vested interest in Cameron ISD.  

My husband and I are both retired and we built and own a new home in Cameron after our retirement.  I stay active and busy serving on the council at my church, Sunday School Superintendent as well as substitute organist.  I am a certified Master Gardener and currently serve as an officer in that organization.  I participate in the Junior Master Gardener program where I have had the privilege to go back into the classroom to teach some Ben Milam students.  

I have coached some of my grandkids’ teams in volleyball and basketball.  We enjoy our family and traveling to see all the grandkids sports and activities as well as traveling ourselves to the coast and on cruises.

Annisha Williams: I am the proud single mother of two children who both attend Cameron ISD. I also have a younger brother and one nephew and two nieces that attend Cameron ISD. 

It is springtime so you can usually find us cheering on one or the other of the kids out at the ballpark. I am an assistant coach to my daughter’s team and in the fall, I help coach my son’s soccer team. 

I also serve on the board of the Cameron Elementary PTO. I have been employed with the Milam County Clerk’s office for six years and I also have a part time on the weekends. 

I don’t have very much free time but when I do, you can find me curled up with a good book.