Exploring Single-Member District Process

Mansfield ISD currently has seven trustees who are elected at-large. This means eligible voters throughout the Mansfield ISD geographic area may vote for candidates for each trustee position.

Under a single-member district system, Mansfield ISD would be divided into geographic trustee districts. Voters residing within each district would elect the trustee who represents that district.

The Board is evaluating whether some trustees would continue to be elected at-large as part of a hybrid system, or whether the Board would move to an all-single-member-district system.

Current Mansfield ISD Board

• Seven trustees
• Trustees currently elected at-large
• Three-year, staggered terms
• All trustees elected by the entire constituency of MISD in an at-large system. Trustees may live anywhere inside the boundaries of MISD.

Mansfield ISD currently describes its Board as seven volunteers elected at-large to three-year, staggered terms.

Members of board voted to initiate a process for evaluating a single-member trustee election system.

The board's resolution directs the board, in consultation with legal counsel, to consider one or more proposed single-member trustee district plans before taking further action.

The process is intended to provide the community an opportunity to understand and provide input on potential election systems and district boundaries.

Important Note: No final single-member district map or election configuration has been adopted at this time.

The process will generally include:

1. Conducting community meetings
2. Engaging demographer on maps
3. Reviewing community discussion information with board and next steps

Should we choose to transition:

1. Newspaper/Media posting announcing public hearing
2. Present proposed map(s)
3. Hold public hearing during scheduled board meeting
4. Vote on resolution to move to single member districts

Should resolution pass:

1. Public information sessions
2. Update district documentation
3. Publish to district website prior to election
4. Conduct election

Texas Education Code §11.052 permits an independent school district board to order that trustees be elected from single-member districts or that at least 70% of trustees be elected from single-member districts, with the remainder elected at-large. Before adopting such an order, the Board must hold a public hearing and provide the required notice.

Proposed trustee districts must be:

• Compact
• Contiguous
• As nearly equal in population as practicable
• Less than 10% difference between the largest and smallest district voting population
• Consistent with applicable federal and state law

Residents will have opportunities to:

• Attend town halls to have voices heard
• Review map(s)
• Submit written comments and/or speak publicly
• Get questions answered about single member districts
• Participate in public hearing (only registered MISD voters can speak at the hearing)

Upcoming Meetings:

• Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026
  • 6 p.m.
  • Legacy High School (Library)
• Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026
  • 6 p.m.
  • Timberview High School (PAC)
• Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026
  • 6 p.m.
  • Lake Ridge High School (Library)

Under the current at-large system, voters throughout Mansfield ISD may vote for candidates for each trustee position.

Under a single-member district system, the district is divided into geographic trustee districts. Voters residing in a particular district elect the trustee representing that district.

This has not yet been determined. The Board is evaluating the appropriate election structure. The seven-member board could potentially be divided into several single-member districts, with any remaining positions elected at-large if the board chooses a hybrid system.

The final configuration will be determined through the board's process and must comply with applicable law.

Not necessarily. Texas law allows a school district to establish an all-single-member system or a system in which at least 70% of trustees are elected from single-member districts and the remaining trustees are elected at-large. Seventy percent is at least 5 of 7 trustees.

The board has not yet adopted a final configuration for Mansfield ISD.

The boundaries will be developed using population and demographic information and must comply with applicable legal requirements.

Texas law requires trustee districts to be compact, contiguous and as nearly equal in population as practicable.

The district should also explain the additional criteria used by its demographer, such as existing communities, geographic features, voting precincts and other legally appropriate considerations.

Yes. Texas law requires a public hearing before the board adopts an order establishing a single-member trustee election system. Mansfield ISD may provide additional opportunities for residents to review and comment on proposed maps throughout the process.

Under Texas law, the board may initiate the change on its own motion after following the required process.

The election date has not yet been finalized.

Texas law requires an order establishing the new election system to be adopted at least 120 days before the first election at which trustees will be elected under the new system.

Texas law allows a board adopting a redistricting plan to provide for trustees in office to serve the remainder of their existing terms, with the new districts and any at-large positions then being filled as the staggered terms expire.

Candidates for a single-member trustee position must reside in the district they seek to represent. Texas law also establishes residency requirements for trustees elected from trustee districts.

If the board adopts a final map, MISD will provide a district map and other tools allowing residents to determine their trustee district by address.

Not necessarily. School attendance boundaries and trustee district boundaries serve different purposes. The trustee districts will be developed according to applicable election and redistricting requirements.

The board may consider communities and other geographic characteristics when developing maps, but school attendance boundaries do not automatically determine trustee districts.

No. Although a trustee elected from a single-member district must reside in and be elected by that district, the Board of Trustees continues to govern the entire Mansfield ISD.

All trustees have responsibilities to the district as a whole. Trustees will deliberate and vote on all matters for the entire district just as they do now. Governance will not change.

Texas school districts use various trustee election systems.

Some districts elect all trustees at-large. Others use hybrid systems combining single-member districts and at-large positions. Some districts elect all trustees from geographic single-member districts.

Board Resolution

Legal Presentation

Sept. 29 - Exploring Single-Member District Presentation

Sept. 30 - Exploring Single-Member District Presentation

Oct. 1 - Exploring Single-Member District Presentation

Please note: The feedback form remained live for a specified time each night and was reflected in each presentation. As such, the Town Hall Feedback form is no longer accepting responses.

Below is a map of where members of the board have resided, since 2015.