Newburn runs for trustee seat
By Lori Mellinger Bullard Banner News

Newburn

Louis Newburn said he's committed. And when he commits to something, he sees it through.

Once Newburn made up his mind about running for school board, he filed the next day.

"I talked to my wife, and she thought it was a good idea," he said. "I've always wanted to do something for the community and the school, and I know I'm in a position - both profes-

-ssionally and personally - to devote the time and energy to it."

Newburn said he's lived in Bullard all his life - save the years he attended and graduated from Texas A&M.

Once he graduated, he wanted nothing more than to return to his family and Bullard.

"Bullard has always been one of those communities that wholeheartedly supports its schools," Newburn said. "And it shows. That's why we have so many people moving here - it's the quality of Bullard schools."

The city has changed a lot since Newburn graduated in 1987, and he knows taking a position on the board means facing some of those changes and making decisions accordingly.

"Sometimes I'm nostalgic for the Bullard where I grew up," he said. "But we all have to face facts.

"Nothing remains static. We're either going forward or going backward, and I'm glad we are going forward."

He also has a personal interest in Bullard's educational system.

He and his wife, Melinda, have three children: Christopher, 17; Rebeka, 8; and Brody, 18 months.

"We have two in school now, and one who is about to be," he said. "And even with the growth, we've been able to maintain quality."

Teachers, he said, are committed; and students are more than numbers.

"I travel all over the state in my job," Newburn said. "And I see many, many communities. None of them outshine Bullard.

"I feel fortunate to be able to stay here, and it's my responsibility to give back. When something feels right, it's right."

This isn't Newburn's first foray into community service, however.

He spent six years - in high school and junior college - volunteering for the Bullard Volunteer Fire Department. It is, after all, a Newburn family tradition.

Now he manages SprayMAX in Tyler - a company he's been with for 14 years.

He sees that as an asset that he can bring to the board.

SprayMAX supplies herbicide vegetation management programs in nine states across the country.

He attributes his own success to Bullard and it's educational system.

"We had little when I was young, and we struggled," he said. "Without the foundation I got at Bullard schools, I don't believe I'd have gotten as far as I have today."

He said those same principles still apply.

"To make good, solid decisions, based on facts - just as I do in business," Newburn said. "And as part of the board, I believe we should keep that going."

He sees being a trustee not as a day-to-day job, but as a liaison for the voters and as a support for the administration.

"We have an experienced and capable superintendent, and he was hired to run the district," Newburn said. "Our job - as trustees - is to provide vision, make sure the people are represented, being a sounding board and provide good checks and balances."

As to the $28.5 million bond the voter's approved, Newburn said he backed it entirely.

"I'm glad the voters recognized - as I did - the need," he said. "I'm so glad especially to see the traffic being addressed and the new elementary campus being built."

These things, and plans for the accommodation of future and imminent growth are what he believes should be the priorities for the board.

"We must keep that forethought in order to maintain the quality of our educational system," he said. "We are a quality community attracting quality people, and people recognize that.

"I just want to keep it that way."

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.