LOCAL FILING ENDS
Roy files to regain seat on Bullard school board

Michael Roy said he's got no fancy words and no predetermined agenda.

His impetus for running for Bullard School Board is simple, he said.

"It's about the children," he said. "That's the only thing that keeps me on, and if were anything else, I wouldn't do it."

Being on the board takes work, and no one is more aware of this than Roy.

He's just weathered his second bond issue - the latest $28 million and wide in scope - covering a stadium, fine arts center and new elementary campus.

But he's been serving the schools before then.

In 1995, he said, he made a decision that has changed the last 12 years of his life - he ran for school board for the first time.

During that first election, three people were running for Place 7, and Roy won by the slightest of margins - one vote.

Those first years, he said, are ones he's not likely to forget.

"There were many concerns about the district throughout the community during those times, and the first two years as a board member were tough," he said. "We all felt we needed to restore the confidence lacking in the board at the time.

By 1999, the district began its plans for a bond for a muchneeded high school.

But 1999 was a long time ago, and Bullard has certainly not stagnated.

"The growth has become a great deal more rapid, and I'm glad the community is supportive - especially in passing this last bond," Roy said.

He credits the grassroots efforts for the bond's passage.

"There were so many people who were interested in helping us," he said. "They made our jobs - as trustees - a bit easier - by getting the facts out to the community.

"They worked tirelessly, and it paid off."

And his plans should he be re-elected?

"I will continue to support the community - after all they put their faith and trust in me," he said. "I'll continue to listen and remember that we're all in this together - as a community."

Roy is a proud Bullard native, he said.

"I started school as a first grader in 1963 where there were two grade levels in one classroom," he said.

By the time Roy graduated from Bullard High School, his class count had climbed to about 24 - one of whom was Roy's prospective wife, Sharon.

"Even during our engagement and early years of marriage, Sharon and I had no interest in raising a family anywhere but Bullard," he said. The two have been married 25 years and are parents of two Bullard graduates.

Carmen is a student at University of Texas at Tyler and Steven is a Bullard senior.

"I've always been proud of the instructional focus of the Bullard school system," Roy said. "We have a great reputation, which is why we're bursting at the seams."

Roy said education isn't the only factor though.

"There's a safe and nurturing environment at our campuses that the board is proud of," he said.

The Roys are members of Mount Nevelton Church in Bullard - where Michael is extremely active - serving as lay leader, steward and member of the male chorus. He is also employed at Brookshire's Grocery Company as a systems operature.

Info, dates to remember

Early voting by personal appearance is

from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 30

through May 8 at Bullard City Hall.

Election day is May 12. Two other candidates have filed locally:

Gerald Jessup for council and Louis Newburn for Place 6 on school board.

The Bullard News will do profiles of

each in coming issues.