Statewide parent organization says voters should elect a respected leader to set statewide policy for public education
AUSTIN—Today Texas Parent PAC announced its endorsement of Lufkin school board president Dr. Keven Ellis for the Republican nomination for District 9 State Board of Education. This is an open seat to succeed board vice-chair Thomas Ratliff, who is resigning at the end of his term.
“Parents and children in northeast Texas deserve to be represented in Austin by a well-respected education leader like Keven Ellis,” said Texas Parent PAC board of directors member Blake Powell of Austin. “His controversial opponent has drawn statewide and national attention because of her out-of-the-mainstream views.”
The 15-member elected State Board of Education is responsible for establishing policy and providing leadership for the Texas public school system, which educates more than 5.2 million students. Primary responsibilities include setting curriculum standards, reviewing and adopting instructional materials, establishing graduation requirements, and overseeing the Texas Permanent School Fund. In addition, the board provides a final review of rules proposed by the State Board of Educator Certification and reviews the commissioner’s proposed award of new charter schools, with authority to veto a recommended applicant.
District 9 on the State Board of Education encompasses 31 counties: Anderson, Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Grayson, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rains, Red River, Rockwall, Rusk, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood.
In 1998 when he opened Ellis Chiropractic in Lufkin, Dr. Ellis became actively involved in the community. He has served as chairman of the Small Business Council for Angelina County Chamber of Commerce, president of the Lufkin Host Lions Club, president of Angelina County Benefit Rodeo, and president of the Z&OO Railroad at Ellen Trout Memorial Park & Zoo.
He also is a former assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 136 and chairman of the Eastview United Pentecostal Church building committee.
In addition to serving on the school board, Dr. Ellis was a charter member of the Lufkin ISD Education Foundation and member of the Lufkin ISD Tri-Ethnic Board. He worked with the school district to bring a Neuhaus-certified dyslexic therapist to every campus in the district. With two dyslexic children, he knows firsthand these therapists can help the hundreds of students who struggle with reading and need intervention.
Dr. Ellis and his wife, Shelli Cox Ellis, have three children, twins Kati and Jacob who attend Texas A&M University and son John, who is a student at Lufkin High School.
Texas Parent PAC endorses a small, select number of Republican and Democratic legislative and State Board of Education candidates statewide. The PAC describes its endorsed candidates as “men and women of integrity, open and responsive to parents, actively involved in their communities, and committed to investing in public education to achieve economic prosperity in Texas.”
Public school supporters are encouraged to visit www.ellisfortexas.com to learn more about the candidate and his campaign. Early voting takes place May 16-20, and election day is Tuesday, May 24.
To learn more about Texas Parent PAC, visit www.txparentpac.com.
