Former Sherman Independent School District Teacher Kelssi Williams Frederick is seeking a seat on the district’s board of trustees. Williams Frederick will challenge Incumbent Anna Wylie for her seat as a part of the district’s May elections.
The Herald Democrat recently reached out to all candidates in Sherman ISD’s spring elections and asked them a series of questions about their priorities, qualifications and issues facing the district in 2025.
Early voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22-25 and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 28-29.
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day on May 3.
Q: For anyone who may not know you in the community, who are you, and what motivated you to run for a place on the Sherman ISD School Board?
A: I joke that the easiest way to recognize me is by saying I’m Lincoln’s mom—but all jokes aside, I’m a mom, wife, and teacher. I’m running for school board because I bring a unique perspective to the table. I’ve taught at Sherman High School and in a larger district, and I understand the diverse needs of our students because I’ve taught them. My husband currently teaches and coaches here, and my son has been part of the district since pre-K at Perrin. I want to help our growing district while keeping teachers and students at the center of all decisions. As a former teacher in Sherman ISD, I’ve seen how even well-intentioned policies can fall short in the classroom. That’s why it’s so important to have people at the table who truly understand what happens day to day in the classroom.
Q: What unique skill sets or traits do you feel you would bring as a member of the school board?
A: As a current teacher, I bring a perspective that’s currently missing on the board- someone who’s been in the classroom full-time since the COVID era. Education has changed a lot in the last five years, and many decisions are still being made based on an outdated or unrealistic view of what students and teachers need to be successful because they’ve never been in the classroom or they haven’t in the last 5 years. That makes it tough to really understand what’s working and what’s not. I’m currently living it, day in and day out, and I have a realistic idea on what students need and what teachers are dealing with. I stay connected with teachers across grade levels in SISD, from early childhood to high school, so I have a broad view of the challenges and strengths across our district. I believe that insight matters when making decisions that affect classrooms across Sherman ISD.
Q: As a member of the school board, what priorities do you wish to pursue?
A: I think the biggest challenges facing our district right now are the budget, teacher retention, and student success. As a taxpayer, I want to make sure the money going to our schools is being used wisely and is directly benefiting students and teachers. During my time working in SISD, I saw a troubling trend—many students were reading well below grade level. A Gallup study found that 54% of Americans ages 16–74 read below a sixth-grade level, but I truly believe our students don’t have to be part of that statistic if we give them and their teachers the right support. A big part of that is keeping experienced teachers in the classroom. When we lose them, we lose consistency, relationships with students, and a deep understanding of how things work in our district—all of which are key to long-term student success.
Q: The topic of state funding has been a recurring one for many districts in recent years. The state funding allocation has not been updated since 2019 and many districts have turned to deficit budgets as a way to make ends meet during the interim. How would you go about balancing SISD’s budget during the current funding uncertainty?
A: During this time of funding uncertainty, I believe it’s important for SISD to take a close look at how resources are being used—starting with a review of administrative roles and responsibilities. Sherman has grown into a very admin-heavy district, and while every role has value, we need to ensure that every dollar is going toward positions that directly support students and teachers. In my time with SISD, I saw several new administrative positions created with high salaries, and it’s worth asking whether those roles are essential to day-to-day success in our classrooms. Balancing the budget shouldn’t come at the expense of teachers or students. Every position funded by taxpayers should have a clear and positive impact on the people doing the most important work: educating our kids. Whether or not you have a child in the district, smart and responsible budgeting affects our whole community.
Q: Following up on the topic of school budgets, one topic that has been discussed by many districts is increasing teacher compensation. Is this something that should remain a priority while the topic of state funding remains in question? How would you go about funding increases during the current economic climate for the district?
A: Raising compensation for teachers and paraprofessionals should absolutely remain a top priority, even with the uncertainty around state funding. These jobs aren’t getting any easier. Educators and support staff are asked to do more each year, and their pay should reflect that. Schools simply can’t run without teachers, paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers. If those folks didn’t show up, school wouldn’t happen. They should always be at the center of budget decisions.
While being the highest-paying district in Grayson County sounds good on paper, our campus sizes and student needs are more comparable to fast-growing districts like Melissa, Anna, or McKinney. Our goals should match that reality. Any pay increases would need to be approached through thoughtful, long-term planning and by reevaluating spending, particularly at the administrative level, as I’ve mentioned. It’s all about making sure our resources are going where they’re needed most.
Q: What issues do you see facing Sherman ISD in 2025 and how do you plan to address them?
A: In 2025, Sherman ISD is facing serious challenges with budget management, teacher retention, and student achievement- especially in literacy. With state funding still uncertain, we need to be smart about how we use every taxpayer dollar. That starts with reviewing administrative spending and ensuring all positions directly support students and teachers. At the same time, we must keep teacher and paraprofessional pay a top priority. These are the people who keep our schools running, and retaining experienced staff is key to student success. I also want to focus on improving literacy rates by making sure teachers have the tools and support they need in the classroom. As someone who has taught in SISD and remains connected to educators across all grade levels, I have an understanding of what’s working and where we can improve. My goal is to bring that perspective to the board and help make practical, student and teacher-focused decisions.
