Residents of Winona will have the chance to vote for candidates running for the Winona ISD Board of Trustees, with four positions — Place 1, Place 3, Place 5 and Place 7 — up for election.
Dexter Jones and incumbent William Allen will face off for Place 1. In the race for Place 3, Randy Hawkins challenges Luis Hernandez. Incumbent Diane Newman and challenger Baylen Lee will vie to serve Place 7. Although Headlee Daniels has withdrawn from the race, his name will remain on the ballot due to a missed withdrawal deadline. Mark Wintters will run unopposed for Place 5.
Winona ISD’s Board of Trustees is made up of seven elected community members who help shape the direction of the district. They are tasked with setting policies, approving budgets, and hiring and evaluating the superintendent. The board works closely with district leadership to support student achievement, manage resources responsibly, and make sure the needs of Winona families, staff and the community are met.
Editor’s Note: Equal opportunities to answer the same list of interview questions were provided to each candidate. If a candidate’s bio in this story is shorter than their challenger’s, it is because fewer answers were provided from the candidate. If a photo is not included, one was not provided by the candidate.
Place 1
William Allen (I)
William Allen has been serving on the school board for the last two years. He has volunteered with the Winona Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years and as fire chief for the last four years. He began his firefighter career in 2011 as a rookie with Troup Volunteer Fire Department. A few years later, Allen returned to his hometown of Winona where he served as department lieutenant, department captain, and assistant chief. He took on the role of fire chief at the height of the 2020 pandemic.
“I am looking to be re-election to better serve the students of Winona ISD with the hope of giving them a better tomorrow,” Allen said.
He also serves as general manager of a diesel shop in Tyler.
Dexter Jones
Dexter Jones is a proud product of Winona ISD. He graduated from the high school in 1984, earned a degree in business administration from Texas College, and said he has remained involved in the district since. He previously served on the Winona ISD Board of Trustees, including time as board president.
“I believe that I am the voice of reason,” Jones said. “I want the best outcome for all students.”
When it comes to spending, Jones said recruiting strong teachers should be a top priority. He believes offering competitive pay and the right resources will ultimately benefit students.
“Whatever those resources are, it will help kids achieve their best educational experiences,” he said. “That’s where the spending should be – buying the best books, hiring the best teachers – all of that should be a priority.”
He also expressed concern over what he described as growing negativity toward public education, and said he would advocate for renewed support and recognition of the public school system’s value.
“Being a product of public education, I will always fight for public education,” he said.
Jones supports increased safety measures on campuses, including the possibility of hiring additional school resource officers and improving existing security tools.
“But it’s no expense too great to make certain that our kids are safe,” he said.
He believes the school board plays an important but supportive role in curriculum decisions, with an emphasis on following state guidelines and ensuring all students have what they need to succeed.
“All students are equal, but all have their own unique learning style,” Jones said. “So, whatever resources that are needed along with that curriculum – that’s approved – is that we need to provide as a district.”
On community engagement, Jones encouraged parents and residents to attend board meetings and stay informed. He also said communication about board matters could be improved.
Diversity and inclusion are also key values for Jones, who said creating a respectful and welcoming environment is essential.
“We’re all God’s children,” he said. “And it’s very important that we make certain that each individual feels that they are welcome and went on the ISD and that they are included and that they have a voice.”
Place 3
Randy Hawkins (I)
With 16 years on the Winona ISD Board of Trustees, Randy Hawkins said he is running for re-election with a focus on student success, teacher support, and stronger ties with the community.
During his time on the board, Hawkins said he has worked with fellow trustees and district leadership to balance the budget while providing employee pay raises. He’s also taken part in detailed budget workshops aimed at making sure district funds are used effectively to support students and staff.
Outside the boardroom, Hawkins has been active in the community through school-related volunteering and youth sports. He points to student safety and quality instruction as two of his top priorities.
Hawkins supports regular reviews of the district’s curriculum, calling it a “working process” that should be adjusted as needed to keep up with students’ needs. He also emphasizes the importance of giving teachers the tools and training they need to succeed in the classroom.
Recruitment and retention of qualified educators is another focus of his campaign. He supports efforts to recognize and reward teachers and believes in building a work environment that helps staff feel valued and supported.
On school safety, Hawkins believes policies and procedures should be regularly updated to reflect best practices and new challenges. He sees safety as something that should always be improving.
When it comes to community involvement, Hawkins backs greater transparency and welcomes input from parents, staff, and other stakeholders. He supports the use of community surveys and open dialogue to guide district decisions.
He said the school board’s role is to support the Superintendent and provide the resources needed to lead effectively —while working together as a team to meet the district’s goals.
With a background in school finance, budget planning, and community service, Hawkins says he’s committed to continuing efforts that prioritize students, promote equity across the district, and strengthen educational opportunities for all.
Luis Hernandez
A local business owner and president of the Winona Little League, Luis Hernandez brings over a decade of leadership experience to his campaign. As a parent with children in the district, he said he is deeply invested in the community and believes in fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment for both students and staff.
“This is my first time running so I may not have the experience but as a business owner myself, I always ask questions,” Hernandez said. “I like to be informed, I like to know my options and find the best way to handle things… with all of the information.”
Hernandez said his main priority is addressing the district’s challenge of retaining quality teachers. With a smaller student body, Winona ISD faces the difficulty of competing with larger districts that can offer higher salaries. Hernandez advocates for improving relationships within the district to make teachers feel valued, rather than solely relying on financial incentives.
“We need to find a way to keep them,” he said. “Maybe it’s something in the budget we need to take a look at, maybe it’s creating better relationships, making them feel appreciated, feel more at home – we need to do more and better to keep great educators here in the district.”
In terms of funding, Hernandez believes in strategic use of school bonds and tax increases, ensuring that bond money is spent responsibly on its intended purposes, such as building projects or paying down debt. While not opposed to budget cuts, he stresses the importance of planning and being mindful of waste, such as energy consumption, and aims to avoid cutting teachers. His approach focuses on collaboration with the superintendent and other stakeholders to make informed decisions.
When it comes to diversity and inclusion, Hernandez believes in providing every child with the support they need to succeed. He advocates for making accommodations for students with varying needs and ensuring all students have equal access to resources and opportunities. Clear communication through various channels, such as social media and robocalls, is central to keeping families informed and engaged.
As a first-time candidate, Hernandez aims to bring fresh perspectives to the board, particularly for the Hispanic community. He believes in building stronger relationships between the district and families, ensuring that parents feel heard and valued. His goal is to foster a school environment where all stakeholders — students, parents, and teachers — work together to improve the overall educational experience in Winona ISD.
“I graduated from here… I love it here, my kids love it here,” Hernandez said. “I’m crazy about my community and that’s essentially why I’m running – to try and better the (Hispanic) community and have stronger relationships with the whole community.”
Place 7
Diane Newman (I)
Having lived in Winona her entire life, Diane Newman has seen firsthand the value of a strong education. She is the mother of two children and a grandmother of Winona graduates. With this personal connection to the district, Newman said she aims to support both students and teachers by focusing on their needs and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
“I’m running for the school board to serve all the children of Winona ISD,” she said. “I want to give back and serve the district I’m passionate about.”
Newman said she would like to see continued improvement in the district’s curriculum, teacher support, and overall student success. She also advocates for school safety and student well-being, recognizing that a secure and supportive environment is essential for academic success. While safety is a priority, Newman stresses that the overall well-being of students must be supported both inside and outside the classroom.
In terms of fiscal responsibility, Newman supports careful budgeting and making the most of the district’s resources. She pointed out the recent unveiling of the new middle school wing and updated cafeteria as examples of investments that directly benefit students and staff, and help the district prepare for future growth.
Newman is committed to creating a welcoming atmosphere for teachers, advocating for incentive programs, and emphasizing the importance of teacher morale. “People don’t know until they know you care,” she said.
In terms of student success, Newman is focused on keeping students motivated and engaged in school. She believes that the current curriculum is effective but trusts that decisions about classroom materials and teaching methods should primarily be led by educators.
Newman also emphasizes the need for transparency and community involvement. She believes the school board should maintain an open-door policy and encourage parents to attend meetings to share their concerns and suggestions.
If elected, her first priority would be to foster greater unity and communication within the community to ensure Winona ISD continues to provide a strong educational experience for all students.
Baylen Lee
Baylen Lee, a longtime volunteer in local youth sports and supporter of school athletics, aims to bring what he describes as “passion and pride” for youth programs into the broader educational system.
“The school board is chosen by community members to represent them,” he said. “If the community has concerns or issues with curriculum, it is up to the board members to bring those concerns forward and help guide the district in choosing curriculum that aligns with the values and expectations of its community.”
Lee says he has spent more than a decade coaching youth sports, supporting the local FFA chapter, and cheering on school teams as an active “Catbacker.” While he hasn’t served on district committees or in formal roles within the school system, he believes his background in community involvement, service, and hard work equips him to represent the public on the school board.
He said the district’s top priority should be ensuring all decisions are made in the best interest of students and the quality of education they receive.
Lee emphasized the importance of community values in curriculum decisions and pointed to competitive pay and strong administrative support as key strategies for retaining quality teachers and staff. He believes morale can be boosted by cultivating an inviting, supportive environment led by administrators who “have heart of service.”
On community input, Lee said it starts with participation. “The best way to have a say in district decisions is to be present and voice your thoughts and concerns,” he said. “Hearing from the community and parents is the best way to advocate for our children.”
He also supports efforts to increase community and district involvement to better support students and staff across Winona ISD.
“If given the opportunity to represent my community in this capacity, my top priorities will be making sure that our children and their best interests are put first,” Lee said. “After all, they are our future.”
Voting information
Early voting runs now through April 29 at multiple polling locations. Election Day polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 3.
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