The five candidates for the San Saba School Board were invited to give you their two cents in this week's edition to help you be more informed when you vote. These are listed below in the same order as they appear on the ballot. The school board election is Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Donny Smith
I am proud to announce my candidacy for re-election to the San Saba Independent School District Board of Trustees in the upcoming May 2, 2026 election.
As a lifelong member of the San Saba community, a graduate of San Saba High School, and the parent of current students in our district, I care deeply about the future of our schools. Serving on the school board has been an honor, and I am asking for your support so I can continue working on behalf of our students, teachers, staff, and families.
I am also a local small business owner who employs approximately 40 members of our community, a few being recent graduates of SSISD. Through my experience in business and public service, I understand the importance of leadership, accountability, responsible budgeting, and making thoughtful decisions that benefit the entire community.
During my time on the board, I have worked to help provide opportunities for students while supporting the educators and staff who make a difference every day. If re-elected, I will continue to focus on safe schools, strong academics, and preparing students for success after graduation whether that path leads to college, trade school, military service, or entering the workforce.
I also believe strongly in protecting taxpayer dollars and making sure our district uses resources wisely and responsibly. Strong schools are one of the best investments we can make in the future of San Saba.
Most importantly, I believe in listening. I value the input of parents, teachers, staff, and community members, and I will continue to work in the best interests of all students and families in our district.
I would be honored to earn your vote for re-election to the San Saba Independent School District Board of Trustees on May 2, 2026. Together, we can continue building a strong future for our schools and our community.
Butch Hamer
I am running for the San Saba School Board to bring a unique blend of service, educational experience, and technical leadership to our district. With 12 years of military service, I understand the importance of discipline, accountability, and the 'mission-first' mindset. In our schools, that mission is simple: ensuring every student has the tools to succeed in an evolving world.
My professional journey has allowed me to see our schools from every angle. As a former teacher, I know the daily challenges our educators face and the importance of a curriculum that inspires. As a former Technology Director, I managed complex budgets and infrastructure, ensuring that tax dollars were used efficiently to enhance learning, not just buy gadgets.
If elected, my priorities will be:
• Academic Excellence: Focusing on core competencies while ensuring our students are digitally literate and prepared for the modern workforce.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Leveraging my experience in district-level administration to ensure every dollar directly benefits the classroom and teacher support.
• Safety & Leadership: Applying my military background to foster a secure, disciplined, and supportive environment for both staff and students.
• Transparency: Building a bridge between the administration and the community through clear communication and data driven decision-making.
Our district doesn't just need a critic; it needs a proven leader who has stood at the front of a classroom and managed the systems behind the scenes. I am ready to serve our students, our teachers, and our taxpayers with the same dedication I gave to our country.
I ask for your vote to bring my experience and integrity to the San Saba School Board.
Luke Gunter
My name is Luke Gunter, and I’m running for San Saba ISD Trustee. If elected, I will focus on three opportunities that need to be addressed.
1. Our schools should be funded by taxes, not debt. Taking on debt is the same thing as levying a tax on people who are currently unable to vote. It’s dishonest and irresponsible.
2. School administrators need to be held accountable to the taxpayers who pay their salaries and the parents of the children they are charged with educating.
3. We need a new superintendent if we are going to change the attitude of our school administrators.
If elected, I will oppose all bond offerings, advocate for taxpayers and parents, and work to replace leadership within the ISD who have lost sight of their proper role in our school system.
Kevin Shahan
I am honored to be running for Trustee of San Saba ISD in the upcoming election. Our schools continue to be the heart of this community, and I believe every student deserves a safe, supportive, and academically strong environment. My goal is to listen, learn, and work together with parents, teachers, administrators, and taxpayers to ensure our district produces students who are equipped and ready for higher education, the military, and/or entry into the workforce. I am very proud of the success and accomplishments of the graduates of San Saba ISD as a result of engaging students in leadership activities and offering career pathway opportunities at SSHS. As policy decisions are considered, I will continue to have the mindset of ‘is this what is best for our students and staff?’ I will remain committed to responsible stewardship of resources, informed and transparent decision making, and being an advocate for opportunities that help our students succeed. It would be a privilege to serve San Saba ISD once again and I appreciate your consideration.
Margaret Whitten Henslee I am excited to be running for a place on the SSISD School Board in the upcoming election. I am a 2004 graduate of SSHS, and my husband, Brian, and I have three sons who currently attend San Saba Elementary. I deeply value the time I spent at SSISD and understand how vital our school is to the overall health of our community. San Saba is a wonderfully unique place, and I believe we can thoughtfully build on our strengths and continue to improve in ways that best serve our students, families, and educators.
I’m committed to continue making San Saba a destination district for outstanding teachers and staff. Attracting and retaining high quality educators and administrators who are invested in our students and our community is vital to our district thriving in the long term. We are fortunate to have exceptional teachers and staff supporting our children, and I will prioritize growing and sustaining that strength.
I will also work to help prepare our students for the many possible paths that lie ahead for them once they leave school. That can take many different forms (college, trade school, military service, direct entry into the workforce, etc.,) and I would like every student to continue to leave SSISD equipped with the skills, confidence, and support needed to succeed in whatever path they choose.
I will always do my best to prioritize open, thoughtful discussion so we can make well-informed decisions that reflect the values, priorities and best interests of our community. This, along with sound financial management, is key to supporting strong schools while being responsible stewards of our resources.
It would be an honor to serve in this role, and I would be very grateful for your support and your vote.