Issues | Mandy Reece for CISD Place 3

Mandy's goal: To provide steady, trustworthy leadership that protects Carroll ISD’s strengths while addressing inefficiencies. I will bring my operations and policy expertise to strengthen what already works and defend our district against outside agendas.

1. Preserving Carroll’s Strengths While Planning for the Future

Carroll ISD has earned its reputation as a national destination because families and community leaders have insisted on protecting what matters most. Our tradition of excellence in academics, championship athletics, and award-winning fine arts is not an accident. It is the product of parents, teachers, coaches, and volunteers who have stood together to defend conservative values, demand accountability, and keep our district focused on student success. My commitment is to protect that tradition while preparing responsibly for the challenges that lie ahead. As a community volunteer, I have worked alongside parents who give their time and resources to keep Carroll’s strengths alive. That same spirit drives me to defend our district against outside agendas that do not reflect Southlake’s values, while celebrating the achievements that make our community proud. Carroll’s strength has always come from local families, faith, and tradition… and those must remain the foundation of every decision we make.

My professional background also gives me important insights into leading organizations through changes or uncertainties while keeping them anchored to their core missions. I have managed multimillion-dollar budgets, balanced compliance with accountability, and planned years ahead to ensure stability. I will bring that same discipline to Carroll ISD by supporting long-range planning for facilities, staffing, and budgets. The challenges we face are real, from rising housing costs to state recapture draining nearly $19 million dollars each year from our classrooms. But with proven leadership and conservative principles, I will ensure Carroll remains strong without sacrificing the values and community identity that make Southlake unique.

Defend against outside agendas: Carroll succeeds because parents and local leaders… not bureaucrats or activist groups… set the direction of our schools. I will continue to push back against divisive outside agendas that don’t reflect Southlake’s values. This means rejecting unfunded mandates, resisting curriculum pressures that distract from academics, and holding the line on policies that protect parental rights, faith, and tradition in our schools.
Celebrate and strengthen our tradition of excellence: Carroll is already recognized for outstanding academics, championship athletics, and award-winning fine arts programs. I will work to ensure these strengths are protected in the budget, supported by booster clubs and community partnerships, and promoted as part of Carroll’s identity. Our students should continue to have access to the very best programs in Texas, without compromise.
Plan proactively for future challenges: Like many districts, Carroll faces changing demographics and a declining census driven by rising housing costs and affordability challenges for young families. At the same time, we remain subject to Austin’s funding formulas, including recapture, which drains nearly $19 million per year from our schools. As COO, I plan ahead for staffing, facilities, and budget needs. I will apply that same discipline here by supporting long-range facility planning, multi-year financial forecasting, and transparent reporting so families can see how we’re preparing. The goal is simple: ensure long-term stability without sacrificing quality or raising unnecessary debt burdens.

Carroll’s success has been built by conservative leadership that protects excellence while planning wisely. My promise is to continue that legacy… defending our values, celebrating our strengths, and preparing responsibly so Carroll ISD remains the standard of excellence for the next generation.

2. Academic Excellence & Accountability

As a Chief Operating Officer in healthcare, I understand that excellence comes from staying mission-focused and holding systems accountable to measurable results. Carroll ISD has a proud tradition of academic strength, and my commitment is to protect and build upon that tradition by focusing on core academics, enforcing accountability, and expanding opportunities for every student to succeed. I am a mother of an academically gifted student and I’m keenly aware that families expect rigorous academic protocols, honest and fair evaluation and reporting, and classrooms free of distractions, which are conducive to high level achievement.

Focus on core academics: Carroll must remain centered on literacy, math, science, history, and the skills that prepare students for higher education or the workforce. That means resisting distractions and ideological detours and keeping classrooms focused on proven, fact-based instruction. I will support policies that strengthen literacy programs at the early grades, reinforce math and science rigor at the secondary level, and protect advanced placement, dual credit, and honors programs that challenge students to achieve at the highest level.
Data-driven accountability: In healthcare, we rely on dashboards, KPIs, and outcomes to know whether patients were being served effectively. Carroll ISD needs that same approach. Parents deserve clear, accessible reporting on student achievement, financial efficiency, and program performance so they can trust their tax dollars are producing measurable results. I will push for expanded public reporting of scores, graduation readiness, and budget-to-outcome data so families can see what’s working and where improvement is needed.
Expand career and technical education (CTE): Not every student’s path is the same, but every student deserves a pathway to success. Carroll has begun investing in CTE programs, and I will work to expand them. Whether it’s engineering, health sciences, business, or skilled trades, these programs provide both horizontal and vertical opportunities for students to discover their talents and prepare for high-demand careers. CTE is not only good for students, it’s also a fiscally responsible investment, because it ensures our graduates are workforce-ready and competitive.

Carroll ISD is a destination district because conservative leaders have kept us focused on what matters: academics, accountability, and opportunity. My COO experience has shown me that strong systems thrive when they measure outcomes, not intentions. As Trustee, I will ensure that Carroll ISD delivers on its mission: academic excellence with accountability families can trust.

3. Fiscal Responsibility & Transparency

In my career, I’ve managed $100+mm budgets where every dollar counts in an industry where I have had to meet strict regulatory requirements and maintain competitive compensation practices that reflect both performance and market realities. In that role, there was no room for waste, hidden spending, or unclear reporting. Outcomes had to be measurable, and compliance had to be airtight. As your trustee, I will continue to advocate for fiscal responsibility, and I will not saddle future generations with unnecessary debt for antiquated concepts or rapidly depreciating assets. Fiscal responsibility, and transparent financial reporting, are the foundations of a responsible governing body and I will work with current CISD leadership to ensure the community trusts our financial stewardship.

Oppose unnecessary spending and safeguard taxpayers: Just as I’ve cut waste in healthcare by streamlining processes and prioritizing frontline staff, I will scrutinize every expenditure in CISD. If a proposal doesn’t directly serve students, support teachers, or maintain facilities, it shouldn’t be funded. I will also push back against uncontrolled bond proposals or spending that risks long-term debt without clear benefit.
Support strategic practices like VATRE and targeted grants: In healthcare, sustainable revenue streams are the difference between stability and crisis. For CISD, that means using VATRE dollars strategically to boost teacher pay and student programs, while also aggressively pursuing state and federal grants that align with our mission — but only those that come without hidden mandates or ideological strings attached.
Push for clear, easy-to-understand financial reporting: As COO, I held my teams accountable through P&L statements, KPI dashboards, and compliance reviews that left no room for ambiguity. I will fight to implement school-specific profit & loss reporting in Carroll ISD so parents and taxpayers can see exactly how dollars are allocated at each campus. That level of detail is standard in business — it should be standard in our schools.
Ensure Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are achieved: In healthcare, leaders are judged by measurable outcomes: patient safety, efficiency, and cost control. In CISD, administrators should be held accountable to equally clear KPIs: student academic growth, retention of top teachers, budget performance against plan, and transparency metrics. If results fall short, planned and strategic course corrections should be administered.

When families can see where every dollar goes, when teachers know their pay is prioritized, and when taxpayers know debt is controlled, trust is built. My COO experience has proven that systems built on evidence and accountability deliver results. That’s exactly how I will lead on fiscal responsibility and transparency in Carroll ISD.

4. Parent & Community Partnership

Parental rights should be at the core of every policy discussed, passed and implemented. As both a mother of an athlete and of a child on an academically gifted path, I know how different families experience Carroll ISD. Parents of athletes or artists, advanced learners or those with special needs, they all want to be heard and respected in the decisions that affect their kids. In both my professional and volunteer activities, it’s my experience that systems work best when there is involvement and buy-in on many levels. The same principle applies to our schools. On the board, I’ll continue expanding parent input in curriculum review, policy discussions, and budgeting, so families never feel left out of the process.

Stand firm against outside influence: Just as I resisted outside mandates in healthcare that didn’t serve families, I will push back against attempts to erode local control in CISD. Whether it’s state recapture draining nearly $19 million annually from our district, or cultural trends pressuring schools to adopt divisive policies, Carroll ISD must remain accountable to parents and the community… not to Austin, Washington, or activist groups.
Ensure parents have a strong voice in decision-making: I will fight for continued parent representation in curriculum review, budget input, and district policy discussions. Families deserve a seat at the table before decisions are made… not after. That means maintaining clear processes for parents to review instructional materials, opt into sensitive topics, and have their voices formally recognized in board policy.
Promote open communication between trustees, administrators, and families: In healthcare, I implemented communication systems that kept families informed — dashboards, town halls, and real-time reporting. I will push for similar measures in CISD, including regular parent forums, transparent board communication, and a publicly accessible “district dashboard” that shows student achievement, spending priorities, and progress on board goals.
Protect Carroll ISD’s community identity while planning for change: Our district faces real external pressures — shrinking student populations due to rising housing costs and affordability challenges for young families, and constant shifts in Austin’s funding system that directly impact our budget. While these changes are outside our control, how we respond is not. We must navigate these realities without losing what makes Southlake special. That means upholding our prominent community values…academic excellence, parental authority, patriotism, and tradition… as the guiding compass in every adaptation we make.

Carroll ISD has become a destination district because families know their values are reflected here. My promise is this: even as conditions change, I will ensure Southlake remains grounded in its traditions, parents remain in control, and Carroll continues to be a model of conservative excellence in Texas.

5. School Safety

As both a mother and grandmother of students in Carroll ISD, I know firsthand that nothing matters more than sending your child to school each day confident they will be safe and protected. My perspective as a parent and grandparent keeps me grounded in what families expect — safety, order, and a healthy learning environment where children can thrive.

As a COO in healthcare, I’ve overseen emergency preparedness and compliance with strict safety protocols

I understand how to build systems that protect clinicians and patients while allowing them to do their best work. I will bring that same mindset to Carroll ISD by insisting on strong, clear safety protocols that protect both students and staff without compromising the learning environment.

Prioritize safety protocols: I will advocate for maintaining and strengthening safety plans that include secure campus entrances, updated emergency drills, mental health supports that respect parental authority, and communication systems that keep parents informed during any crisis. Just as in healthcare, safety procedures must be practiced, reviewed, and continuously improved.
Strengthen partnerships with law enforcement and first responders: Carroll already benefits from strong cooperation with the Southlake Police Department and local first responders. I will work to maintain and expand those relationships, ensuring our School Resource Officers are fully supported and that our safety planning remains a joint effort with those who know how to protect our community best.
Evaluate & Enhance Reunification Process: Ensure transparent communication before and after incidents: Families should know what to expect in any situation. I will support making safety and reunification plans accessible to parents in advance and providing clear, timely updates after any incident.

As both a parent and grandparent, I am deeply committed to ensuring every Dragon has a safe environment where they can grow. As a COO, I know how to build the systems that deliver that safety. Together, those experiences make me uniquely equipped to protect Carroll ISD’s students, staff, and families.

6. Teacher Recruitment & Retention

In my professional life, one of my most important responsibilities is recruiting, retaining, and supporting staff in a competitive environment. Just like in education, the quality of the system depends on the quality of the professionals delivering the service. I built competitive pay structures, reduced paperwork burdens, and invested in staff development so employees could thrive. I’ll bring that same focus to Carroll ISD, because keeping high-quality teachers is essential to every other priority.

Advocate for competitive compensation: Our board has already taken steps forward with stipends and raises, but the reality is that most of our teacher funding is determined in Austin, not Southlake. Last session, I was in Austin leading meetings with lawmakers, and we saw results: Senate Bill 2 delivered real raises — $2,500 for teachers with 3–4 years of service and $5,000 for those with 5+ years. I will continue building on those relationships and advocating for increases to the basic allotment and recapture reform, both of which directly impact teacher pay. Locally, I’ll push for multi-year salary schedules that give teachers stability and ensure CISD remains competitive with neighboring districts.
Reduce administrative burdens so teachers can focus on teaching: In healthcare, I learned that unnecessary paperwork and compliance tasks drive burnout. The same is true in education. We need to streamline reporting requirements, review district mandates, and eliminate redundant paperwork that takes time away from students. I’ll work with administration to set clear goals: more time teaching, less time in front of a computer.
Identify and support mentorship programs: Staff development is critical to retention. In healthcare, we paired experienced leaders with new hires to ensure confidence and growth. Carroll ISD must continue teacher mentorship programs that pair new educators with proven veterans, providing guidance, support, and professional development. That strengthens teaching quality while building a culture of investment and loyalty.
Encourage growth opportunities: Staff stay longer when they see a path forward. I will support both horizontal opportunities, allowing teachers to specialize or expand into new subject areas, and vertical growth, creating leadership pathways within Carroll ISD. Teachers should never feel like the only way to advance is to leave. By offering growth, recognition, and career stability, we can reduce turnover and strengthen CISD for the long term.

The bottom line is this: just as I built systems in healthcare where staff were valued, supported, and retained, I will fight to do the same here. With smart local policies and continued advocacy in Austin, we can ensure Carroll ISD keeps the very best teachers.