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Your support helps me to reach more voters and raise awareness about public education.
I am running to represent Austin ISD District 4 on the board of trustees because:
I'm from here! I have a fifty year history with this district and attended Hill Elementary, Lucy Reed 6th Grade Center (now the Rosedale School), Murchison Middle School, and L C Anderson High School.
I am a mom of two IB Diploma graduates of L C Anderson High School.
I attended (new) Anderson High School during "the busing years," 1980-84. I am familiar with the way that changes in our neighborhood schools bring both concerns and potential for growth.
I am passionate about kids, families & the transformative power of education.
I am not a professional educator! I will consistently represent the parent perspective as a crucial component of student success.
The local school board trustee role is about governance of the district, including understanding AISD as a system within the statewide public education system. Trustees set the local property tax rate, approve the annual budget, determine policies in alignment with community values, and oversee and manage the superintendent.
I have the strongest finance, operations and personnel management experience of the D4 candidates.
As an empty nester with the longest D4 history, I have the bandwidth and perspective to consider a broad range of stakeholder interests.
I don't think Austin ISD is perfect! It has both served and failed me (as a student and sibling, then as parent of students). I will celebrate what's working and identify and improve what's not.
*I will make Austin ISD stronger for every student, family, and educator.
Kathryn Whitley Chu, the current District 4 trustee, is not running for re-election.
I was the first trustee candidate to announce, because I wanted to have time to have conversations with community members.
Austin ISD is in crisis and needs decisive leadership. I will protect local control, honor Austin's history, and advocate for a baseline academic standard on all campuses.
Local school board trustee races are nonpartisan. I grew up in a mixed political family (R dad, D mom) and believe that education is above and beyond "party."
As an elections worker, I took an oath to make the democratic process equally available to thousands of voters. As communications chair of the Austin Council of PTAs, I presented factual public education information to the community, with sources cited. Texas PTA and National PTA are non-partisan. As a Girl Scout troop leader, youth sports coach and 30+ season sports mom, I interacted with families of all backgrounds.I intend to represent ALL constituents of Austin ISD. Being able to see other perspectives, especially ones I don't agree with, is the essence of empathy and the key to effective problem solving.
Austin ISD has a deep, longstanding need for advocates who can bridge the noteworthy gaps created by the failures of our formal institutions and systems. I applaud everyone who does that work and look forward to serving in the more formal governance role, alongside and informed by this crucial community-building work.
Until November 3rd, I am focused on the normal operations of the AISD 2026-27 school year, not a prospective TEA takeover. If the TEA dismisses the elected board, I am confident that we have a wealth of leaders -- the current board, those elected on 11/3, the other candidates who are running, (potentially) former trustees, plus a plethora of community advocates and advisors, known and emerging. In certain ways, being a deposed trustee would be less lonely and more enjoyable than a solo unpaid, 4-year trustee term. But we'll get to that when we get to it.
Everyone has experience with and opinions about education, and I look forward to hearing yours!
I will continue to update this website as my campaign progresses. Be sure to check back!
*My 'magic recipe' is not really magic! As trustee, I will provide thoughtful, consistent and transparent engagement and communication.
*Nobody has to tell me that the arts are a vital part of Austin and Austin ISD! In addition to being a creator myself, I am a huge fan of District 4's Fine Arts programs. Here is a brief overview of my own arts background:
Dance
I have danced for most of my life and was a Trojan Belle when I attended Anderson High School.
I have performed in Austin on stages at Dougherty Arts Center, the Paramount Theatre, McCullough Theatre at UT, and the Zilker Hillside Theatre with Austin Contemporary Dance Company and other local choreographers.
From 1989-91, I was awarded two scholarships and a Pell Grant to train in the Professional Training Program of the Merce Cunningham Studio in New York City.
Also in NYC, I performed with Spanish choreographer Nuria Olive-Belles.
I started tap dancing three years ago at Shirley McPhail School of Dance and currently take classes at Art Beat Dance Center in Leander.
Music:
I write songs and play guitar and piano.
I am in a songwriter club where we write a song a week, as of 8/2/26 it is Week #110!
I released an album of original music in 2003.
I have performed in showcases at SXSW and won a KUTX 'Stage to Studio' Contest.
I started going to see live bands @ The Continental Club when I was 15 (#minorstamp). You don't need your school board trustee to have experienced Sonic Youth's first U.S. tour, but it's nice to have, in the Live Music Capital!
Theatre:
I studied musical theatre at Austin Community College, 2024-26.
In 2024, I performed my first one-woman show, "Motherhood: A Tap Dance" at Fronterafest at Hyde Park Theatre.
Creative Writing:
My poem, 'ai music,' was published in the Spring 2026 Rio Review, Austin Community College's literary journal.
"I admired her honesty and frankness even when her opinion was not in the majority."
- Don W. Wallace, former Assistant to the Dean, LBJ School of Public Affairs
"Her ability to productively manage difficult challenges and identify creative solutions was remarkable.
She demonstrated initiative and creativity in a wide range of tasks
and always went the extra mile for the organization."
- Andrew Bowman, J.D., M.P. Aff., former Program Director, Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution
"I know Tricia as a dedicated, curious, loving, evolving woman and mom who is passionate
about human development and helping growing people be their best selves."
- Carrie Contey, Ph.D., parenting coach, author, speaker, educator
"If Tricia wanted to work for me? I'd hire her ASAP.
I wholeheartedly endorse her as a certified practitioner in the care of the human spirit
--wise beyond her years in proactive problem solving."
- Sara Hickman, musician, writer, artist, mom, 2010 State Musician of Texas
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