Linda Flemming is looking to retain her seat on the Denison Independent School District School Board. This May, Flemming will be challenged for her Ward 1, Place 5 seat by Brian Hander.
The Herald Democrat recently reached out to all candidates in Denison 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.
The answers are published below verbatim with only minimal edits due to style, formatting and if a candidate exceeded the word count.
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 Denison ISD school board?
A: I am Linda Flemming. I was born and raised in Denison, by my maternal grandmother and great grandmother. I attended Terrell Elementary grades one through six, McDaniel Junior High grades seven through nine graduating from Denison High School in 1972.
After graduating high school, I entered the workforce as a bookkeeper with the State National Bank, which merged into Bank of America. While employed with the bank I managed Bookkeeping, Proof, and the Item Processing Departments. I also worked in Customer Service, Loan Department, and the Teller area. When the branch closed in 2015, I was the manager of the remote Drive-in bank. My banking career spanned forty-three years. Local community members encouraged me to apply to fulfill the unexpired term of Mrs. Frances Cameron and I have served on the board since 2015 representing Place 5.
Q: What unique skill sets or traits do you feel you would bring as a member of the school board?
A: Having worked on numerous local boards, I bring experience and knowledge with the ability to work cooperatively for a common purpose.
Q: As a member of the school board, what priorities do you wish to pursue?
A: Along with service to my community, my priorities are spelled out in the mission statement:
To ensure quality learning for all students, so that they will be prepared to assume the roles and responsibilities of productive adult citizens.
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 DISD’s budget during the current funding uncertainty?
A: State funding is a major concern for many districts. Our administration is currently working on the upcoming budget and just like our personal budgets we are making every effort to sustain the necessary things. It is all about doing what is best for our children.
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: “Fair compensation for our valued staff is important. It remains a priority for the district. State funding increases would help alleviate some of the problems districts are experiencing.
Q: What issues do you see facing Denison ISD in 2025 and how do you plan to address them?
A: Issues facing the district considering the anticipated growth in the area include facilities, transportation, and technology. These are being addressed in the upcoming bond election.
