Residents of Bullard will have the chance to vote for candidates running for Bullard ISD Board of Trustees with two seats — Places 6 and 7 — up for election.

Incumbent Susie Turner Saxion, Cody Whitehead and John Turner are in the race for Place 6, while Brian K. Hebert and Gerald Hawkins will vie for Place 7. Cory Zahirniak currently represents Place 7 but is not seeking reelection.

The school board is made up of seven community members who oversee important decisions for the district. Elected members are responsible for approving budgets, setting policies, and hiring the superintendent. The board’s role is to ensure Bullard ISD provides quality education, supports student success, and meets the needs of the community. The board collaborates with district leadership to guide the district’s growth and development.

Place 6

Susie Saxion (I)

As a child of retired teachers and a bus driver, Susie Saxion feels she brings a teacher and a staff-oriented perspective to the decision-making process of the school board.

She said she is running to “help guide decisions for our school district to support teachers and staff and provide the best education for every student.”

Saxion is currently an assistant district attorney for Smith County and a full-time mom. However, she didn’t get involved with the school district until she became a board member. After serving six years on the board, she is eager to continue her work, emphasizing the success of the board isn’t dependent on just any one board member.

“There’s not one thing that a board member can’t accomplish when we all work together as a team,” Saxion said. “The goal I’ve had ever since I joined the board is supporting teachers, supporting administrators and supporting our staff. It has always been my goal.”

Saxion emphasized how much the district has invested in the safety and security of the schools, as there is a security officer on each campus.

“They’re making connections with the kids at that campus, so they feel comfortable,” Saxion said. “If there’s a kindergarten kiddo, they feel comfortable talking to a police officer asking help from a police officer. There’s one at our high school campus making connections with those kiddos to know that they can feel safe to be there.”

When it comes to education of the students, Saxion said the most challenging part is the state testing requirements. She feels the curriculum set by the state is not meeting the students’ needs because it is more focused on state testing.

“The requirements set by the state preclude teachers from actually seeing our students as individuals and teaching our students that will help them learn,” she said. “Testing requirements only push our teachers to teach for the test, rather than teach for our students.”

Saxion highlighted the importance of prioritizing taxpayer dollars, particularly when it comes to paying teachers and ensuring facilities and student learning environments are adequate. However, even though she does not support tax increases, she is aware of the reality of budget restraints many school districts face.

“If the district faced budget cuts, I fear that Bullard, like other surrounding school districts, would have to make hard decisions about how to cut costs,” Saxion said. “I hope that our community continues to support our students and teachers so that we do not have to make these hard decisions.”

Saxion believes the district fosters inclusivity by welcoming all students, including those with special needs, through a strong special education department. She emphasizes that every student should feel valued and receive the best education, a goal shared by teachers who are committed to creating a supportive learning environment.

“We want everybody to feel like they are learning the best that they can and have the education they deserve,” she said. “And our teachers have that same love for students and want that same thing.”

Cody Whitehead

As a father of two children in the district and serving on the local little league board since 2008, as well as owning his own company in youth sports since 2009, Cody Whitehead hopes to bring a community-focused perspective to the school board.

“We have always been public school advocates but have also spent a short time in the private school sect,” he said. “This would allow us to be involved for many years to come while bringing both perspectives to the table.”

Whitehead and his family moved to Bullard several years ago and have enjoyed the small-town feel. Since then, he helped establish the Doors with Dads program, where fathers and father figures assist students safely enter school each morning.

“Several have become more involved over the years as this has taken off,” he said. “It’s very fun to see all the faces on Friday opening car doors and greeting the kids.”

Whitehead fully supports increasing teacher salaries, recognizing educators put in countless hours both in and out of the classroom, often under significant stress that affects their personal lives. He emphasized the importance of finding creative, long-term solutions for funding salary increases, as short-term fixes won’t lead to sustained success.

“The teaching profession is inherently challenging, and many educators also finance their own classroom by purchasing much needed supplies out of pocket,” he said. “One thing that is rarely mentioned — because it isn’t reflected in a state-approved test — is the fact that teachers take on a large parental responsibility at times due to the flawed system in place.”

When it comes to any budget cuts, Whitehead believes it’s important to understand the underlying reason for them. If cuts are necessary, he suggests reviewing the district’s finances to determine the most effective areas to reduce spending, ensuring the quality of education isn’t compromised.

“I want to take a deep dive into the spending presently and see if we can get creative in other areas inside the parameters of the rules,” he said.

Whitehead said he strongly supports school bonds, believing any effort to improve education is worth backing. While a specific bond may not directly benefit his own child, he feels it’s important to support the district’s needs so future bonds can benefit all students.

“It’s important to make sure that the consideration is for the greater good of all the students, not just a select few,” he said.

Whitehead advocates for placing greater emphasis on special needs programs but also recognizes that early education is an area in need of additional focus and resources to better support students from the start.

“I feel strongly that we need to focus our attention in the early education grades to make sure the foundation learning piece is handled through highly experienced teachers,” he said.

If elected, Whitehead aims to restore accountability in the leadership-community relationship. He also wants to apply a business concept: ensuring that decisions benefit all students — regardless of gender, race, or community status. If a solution doesn’t meet this standard, he believes the district should adjust its approach to ensure long-term success.

John Turner

Actively engaged in his children’s education and sports, John Turner has a track record of community involvement. With 18 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, he feels his skills in communication and problem solving would make him an asset to the board.

“I am running for a seat on the school board because I believe that with the right support, we can create an environment where all students thrive, no matter their background or challenges,” he said. “I want to advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of students and provide teachers with the resources they need to succeed.”

Turner believes the district’s top priorities in spending should be focused on teacher salaries, resources, and classroom technology, especially in special education.

“Support for special education is very important as it can help children with special needs have equal access to educational opportunities as well,” he said.

To better understand the needs of the classrooms, Turner suggests board members meet with teachers from each grade level to gain insights into what’s important for fostering success. He also proposes offering teachers developmental training programs tailored to the subjects they teach, ensuring they have the tools and support to excel in their careers. Like many, Turner believes the attraction for better teachers is better pay and support.

“Teachers play a crucial role in our society; they help shape our kid’s future each and every day,” he said. “Many educators are underpaid, and I feel that is why there is such a big teacher shortage. If we were able to increase pay, I feel like it would help keep teachers in the classroom and there wouldn’t be such a big turnover each year.”

Turner suggests boosting teacher and staff morale by first assessing current efforts with the school board. He proposes expanding celebrations, offering professional development, and providing small gestures of appreciation, such as thank-you notes and workroom snacks.

“I would also like to talk to teachers to see what they feel like our district is missing and see if we can implement any of their concerns,” he said.

Turner believes more parent involvement is crucial to the success of the district and its students. He said the board could hold town hall meetings or send out a questionnaire for parents to receive feedback.

“Making sure parents are involved in the school district’s decision-making is very important to me,” he said. “The more you involve parents the better the community will be when it comes to our schools and the learning environment that we provide for all of our students.”

For the best way for parents and community members to have a say in district decisions, Turner advises them to attend school board meetings, join the PTO or the education foundation, become a substitute teacher, or find ways to be more involved.

“Getting involved in the school district not only gives you insight into how our schools run,” he said, “but it also helps you stay involved in your kids’ education and everything that the teachers do for our students.”

Place 7

Brian K. Hebert

With 15 years of leadership experience, Brian Hebert has developed a leadership style focused on servant leadership. His background includes service in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps, where he held non-commissioned officer roles, including team leader and squad leader. He also deployed to Mosul, Iraq, in 2008-2009, gaining a deep understanding of selfless service.

“I have a desire and passion for serving others, and I would like to be part of the decision-making process regarding our school and community,” Hebert said. “I have two children that are students in the school district, and I would like to make sure that Bullard ISD continues to meet their needs. One of my children participates in the special education program within the school district, and the staff from that program has been a key reason for his continued success.”

Hebert is in his third year on the Bullard Little Dribblers Board of Directors, supporting youth sports in Bullard ISD. He has also coached basketball for the organization and will begin his second year with an AAU basketball team made up of Bullard ISD student-athletes.

When it comes to ensuring all students have access to resources and opportunities, Hebert believes is it important to catch any academic issues early enough to where students don’t fall behind.

“I believe this starts early in a student’s academic career by identifying potential learning issues in younger grades,” he said. “I also feel that each campus should monitor and be responsible for identifying and correcting any potential issues as early as possible.”

Hebert believes parents and community members can have a say in district decisions by actively engaging with the school board, either by attending meetings or submitting written feedback if they cannot attend.

To Hebert, one of the biggest challenges the district faces is retaining great educators.

“Bullard ISD is a desirable school for students, but we seem to struggle with retaining our teachers. I would like to get to the root cause when a teacher leaves the district,” he said.

From there, he believes the district can take steps to address key issues, including ensuring teachers are fairly compensated.

“Teachers should be offered the best pay and benefits possible,” Hebert said. “Teacher pay and benefits must be given the highest priority when making or implementing a budget.”

He believes boosting teacher and staff morale starts with hiring the right people for each position and having effective leadership at every campus. “The leadership at each campus can and will influence the morale and culture of each campus, but it starts with recruiting and hiring staff that share our core values,” Hebert said.

Hebert believes social issues, such as bullying and peer pressure, are significant challenges for many students in the district. He also wants to emphasize there should be a focus on students’ wellbeing.

“These situations must be addressed and identified by school staff. There should also be a certain amount of awareness to students and staff by proactively addressing potential issues,” he said. “I also think students, like adults, need a healthy balance between academic work and their personal life to be successful and stay engaged.”

Dr. Gerald Hawkins

Dr. Gerald Hawkins holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Medical Doctorate from Kansas City University. He completed his internship, residency, and fellowship in Child Psychiatry at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston.

Hawkins currently serves as a full-time professor in the Biology Department at Tyler Junior College and as an adjunct professor at Jacksonville College, where he also teaches dual credit courses at Rusk High School.

“My role as educator allows me to positively impact the trajectory of students,” he said. “My personal experience motivates me to support teachers at all levels as well as administration. Helping to make sure both parties continue to have open dialogue forging an even greater partnership is extremely important to me. Continued support of teachers by the administration and parents will allow the district to increase teacher retention.”

He is a member of the American Medical Association and was named 2023 Favorite Professor by Jacksonville College students. In fall 2024, he was recognized as Star Professor by Tyler Junior College’s Alpha Omicron Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa for his student support.

“My only focus is doing what is best for the students, faculty and the district,” Hawkins said. “I do not have a personal agenda.”

With over 30 years of experience in medicine and education, Hawkins also owned and operated a medical vocational school.

When it comes to any budget challenges, Hawkins supports any efforts to improve student and faculty success without placing unnecessary strains on taxpayers. He said he would partner with fellow board members to support the superintendent for recommendations.

“The district’s top priority should always be making sure teachers have what they need to be as effective as possible in the classroom to ensure student success at every level,” he said. “My intent will be to support initiatives that do not negatively impact student success or faculty effectiveness.”

He advocates having an open dialogue with not only the staff and faculty of the district but with the community as well.

“The board currently operates in full transparency; examples include all school board meetings are open to the public and the official minutes are also made available to the community,” he said.

Hawkins believes the current curriculum is effective in meeting students’ needs and preparing them for the future, and he trusts any changes should be handled by the appointed curriculum designer and superintendent. While he feels the district is doing well in supporting student success, he recognizes there are challenges that still require attention.

“Bullying and mental illness are two challenges the district is facing,” he said. “I will partner with fellow board members to ensure the district has accessible interventions in place. My training in child psychiatry gives me specialized insight into both challenges, which will be an asset.”

If elected, Hawkins said he would focus on doing what is best for the students, faculty and the district.

“The district is expanding at a rapid rate and growth brings new and exciting challenges,” he said. “I will bring a steady and experienced hand to the table to help successfully meet each challenge.”

Voting information

Early voting runs from April 220-29 and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day May 3.