Clarrisa Rabon
Elections and appointments
Personal
Contact
Clarrisa Rabon ran for election to the Forney Independent School District to represent Position 6 in Texas. She lost in the general election on May 3, 2025.
Rabon completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Clarrisa Rabon was born in Killeen, Texas. She served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1995 to 1998. She graduated from Killeen High School. She earned an associate degree from Central Texas College in 2007 and attended Western Governors University. Her career experience includes working in advocacy and as a registered nurse. She has been affiliated with NAMI Kaufman County and Zany Brains Special Education Right Now, LLC.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: Forney Independent School District, Texas, elections (2025)
General election
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Rabon in this election.
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Clarrisa Rabon completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Rabon's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am the mother of a Forney ISD student, an active member of the PTO board, Registered Nurse, Special Education Advocate, member of the NAMI Kaufman County Steering Committee, and USMC Veteran.
- Community involvement in local school board decision-making fosters transparency and accountability by ensuring that policies and actions reflect the needs and concerns of students, parents, and educators. When community members actively participate, they help hold leaders accountable, promote trust, and encourage fair, well-informed decisions that benefit the entire school district. Engaging the public in this process strengthens the education system and empowers stakeholders to advocate for meaningful change.
- Affordable after-school activities and youth mentoring programs, in collaboration with the community, play a vital role in creating healthier school environments by providing students with positive outlets for personal growth and development. These programs help reduce bullying and youth violence by fostering strong relationships, building self-esteem, and teaching conflict resolution skills. By engaging students in structured, supportive activities, schools and communities can work together to create safer, more inclusive learning spaces for all.
- Recruiting high-performing certified teachers and investing in quality professional development ensures that educators are equipped with the skills and resources needed to meet students where they are. Supporting teachers with strong curricula and ancillary staff enhances their ability to provide personalized instruction, fostering academic success for all learners. By prioritizing these efforts, schools can create an environment where both teachers and students thrive.
I am personally passionate about supporting policies that require educator certification and appropriate classroom support, anti-bullying and safety for staff and students, and parental involvement in policy making that will support educators and students.
The characteristics and principles that are most important for a school board trustee are integrity and transparency. They must be committed to education and prioritize student learning, well being and achievement, while supporting policies that benefit long-term educational outcomes. An elected official must be collaborative, open minded and willing to listen to diverse viewpoints from parents, educators, students and the community as a whole before making decisions.
A trustee should understand school budgets and work to allocate resources wisely, investing in quality programs and avoiding unnecessary spending. Trustees should be willing to continuously learn about educational policy and local school needs, while examining data, research and evidence-based practices to meet the needs of the students and educators alike.
I believe my integrity is my biggest asset. I believe in transparency, honesty and accountability. As an elected official, I would aim to make myself available to my constituents. I value honest, open conversations and want my community to trust that I will always operate in the best interests of their children.
A person elected to this position has a profound responsibility to serve in the best interest of all students, families, and the community. A trustee should be willing to work to ensure equity for all students to have access to educational opportunities, resources and support - regardless of background, ability, or circumstance. They should work to identify and address disparities in student achievement and opportunity and eliminate systemic barriers to success.
A trustee should hold the district accountable by monitoring performance with integrity and purpose. They should assess data to ensure progress toward goals, and hold themselves and the district accountable for outcomes that reflect high expectations and continuous improvement in student learning and well being.
A trustee should strive to maintain the public's trust by conducting board business openly, honestly and ethically to ensure that stakeholders are well informed and invited to participate meaningfully in the decision making process. Trustees should exercise their leadership through policy making, strategic direction and oversight, but should maintain clear boundaries between governance and management while supporting the superintendent and staff while holding them accountable to district goals. This single factor exhibits responsibility and respect for both their constituents and the elected position. I hope to leave a legacy of love and humanity behind when my time to leave this world arrives. I want my children to know their mother was a staunch advocate for the disabled community, and that I fought tirelessly for the educational and medical rights of every person, regardless of their background and individual circumstances. I want people to remember that I was passionate about advancing the well being of everyone around me, and that I advocated against injustice in every space I could.
The Challenger space shuttle explosion on January 28, 1986. I was 9 years old, sitting in class and preparing for our English lesson when they wheeled in the tv cart. We were all so excited to watch the take off, loudly cheering for a brief few seconds; and then the explosion happened. the silence was deafening and I remember immediately feeling like I was sucked into a vacuum. That day taught me to live with purpose; to take nothing for granted and to make sure every day was the best I could make it because nobody is promised tomorrow.
The primary job of a school board member in public education is governance; that is to set the vision and strategic direction reflecting a shared vision with input from the community. Trustees should work to define long term goals aligned with educational excellence and equity, establishing policies that guide the school district in ensuring that all students receive a high-quality education. A trustee can operate at their fullest capacity when they can engage in collaborative communications to establish sound policies and be willing to revise as necessary to meet the needs of the district as a whole. They should be active in engaging the community to foster strong partnerships with parents, staff and the public to ensure the stakeholder voices inform board decisions. A trustee should act with integrity, avoid conflicts of interest, and maintain professionalism as they are role models for civic responsibility and good governance. A trustee should advocate for transparency and fiscal responsibility by participating in the adoption and oversight of the district budget, making sure it aligns resources with strategic priorities, and monitoring spending.
My constituents include the Forney ISD taxpayers, parents and stakeholders
If I am elected as a school board trustee, I will be committed to implementing data-driven strategies to address current challenges with math proficiency, disciplinary practices and cultivating a healthy work environment for our educators and staff. This will mean considering investments in targeted math intervention programs, reviewing and revising policies to align with restorative justice principals to promote positive behavior and reduce exclusionary discipline, providing professional development for our educators, and ensuring that resources are equitably distributed across all schools.
Moreover, I will advocate for initiatives such as competitive compensation, opportunities for professional growth, and supportive work environments to support our faculty and staff, recognizing that their well-being directly impacts their desire to serve in our district, and ultimately, our student's overall success.
Engaging with our community is equally vital. I pledge to maintain open lines of communication with parents, students, and community members to foster a collaborative environment where every voice is heard and valued.
Together, we can build on our successes and address our challenges, ensuring that every student in Forney ISD has the opportunity to thrive academically and personally. As a school board member, I would build relationships within our community by listening with empathy, showing up with consistency, and fostering open, honest conversations. I believe strong schools are built on trust and connection, and that begins by making sure every voice feels heard, respected, and valued. My door—and heart—will always be open to students, parents, educators, and neighbors alike.
Ensuring safety in our schools means creating environments where every student and educator feels physically secure, emotionally supported, and respected. Best practices include maintaining strong partnerships with local law enforcement and mental health professionals, implementing clear and consistent emergency protocols, and investing in preventative measures like social-emotional learning, anti-bullying programs, and trauma-informed training. True school safety also requires open lines of communication with families and staff, as well as ongoing evaluation of policies and infrastructure. Safety is not just about responding to threats—it's about building a culture of care, accountability, and trust every single day.
I am an active and participating member of NAMI Kaufman County. I understand that supporting the mental health of students, faculty, and staff requires a proactive, compassionate, and collaborative approach. Best practices include integrating mental health education into the curriculum, ensuring access to qualified school counselors and psychologists, and creating safe spaces where individuals feel seen, supported, and heard. It’s essential to foster a culture that destigmatizes mental health challenges, encourages open dialogue, and prioritizes wellness in everyday decision-making. By partnering with families, community organizations, and healthcare providers, I believe we can build a comprehensive support system that promotes resilience, healing, and belonging for everyone in our school community.
The ideal learning environment for a student is one where the students and educators can collaborate throughout the class session. I would like to see our educators do less lecturing and independent online learning, and incorporate more interactive discussion and hands on learning that relates the lesson to the lived experiences of their students. Classrooms should be naturally accommodating with variety of seating to meet the needs of each learner.
I believe it is critical for school board members to be present in the day-to-day life of our school community. As a parent, I already attend school plays, sports events, open houses, and academic competitions—not just in support of my own student, but also to support other students and connect with families in settings that foster open, relaxed conversations. My goal is to be more than a name on the ballot; I am accessible, involved, and genuinely invested in the well-being of our children.
I would like to host regular listening sessions and town halls for parents to have a dedicated space to share ideas and concerns about topics that are important to you. I will listen actively, respond honestly, and always follow up with action or communication that reflects what I heard.
Strong relationships are built on consistent and clear communication. As a trustee, I will keep families informed through timely newsletters, social media updates, and public board meeting highlights that break down what decisions are being made, why, and how they affect students and schools.
I will actively promote and support family engagement in district and campus-level decision-making. I will advocate for more accessible and meaningful opportunities for parents to participate in committees, advisory councils, curriculum reviews, and budget discussions.
My role as a school board trustee is not just to govern—it is to lead with the community, not above it. That begins with building strong, authentic, and lasting relationships with parents. When parents feel respected, informed, and invited into the educational process, student outcomes improve, schools grow stronger, and our entire community benefits.
This is my promise: to serve not only as a policymaker, but as a partner to parents—present, proactive, and purposeful in every interaction. Together, we can build a school district where every child has the opportunity to thrive, and every family has a seat at the table. Effective recruitment begins with a commitment to equity, excellence, and community. To attract and retain outstanding educators, ancillary staff, and administrators, we must prioritize inclusive hiring practices, competitive compensation, and supportive work environments. This includes actively recruiting from diverse backgrounds, building partnerships with local colleges and universities, and ensuring candidates see our schools as places where they can grow, lead, and belong. A transparent, collaborative hiring process that reflects the values of our district is key to bringing in passionate professionals who are invested in the success and well-being of every student.
As a candidate for school board trustee, I believe that fiscal responsibility is a cornerstone of public trust and a vital component of effective educational governance. Stewarding taxpayer resources with integrity requires a commitment to full transparency, strategic investment, and absolute accountability.
I am committed to ensuring that every dollar spent by the district reflects our community’s values and directly supports student success. This means making financial decisions that are not only legally compliant, but also ethically sound, fiscally prudent, and educationally impactful.
I support transparent budgeting processes that are open to public scrutiny, provide clear justifications for expenditures, and include regular reporting on financial performance and outcomes. I advocate for accessible financial information that empowers parents, educators, and stakeholders to understand how funds are used—and why.
Accountability in governance means not only tracking and measuring the impact of spending but also owning the results. I believe in using data to assess return on investment, holding leadership responsible for managing resources effectively, and making adjustments when outcomes fall short of expectations.
Ultimately, financial transparency and government accountability are not just regulatory obligations—they are moral imperatives. They affirm the public’s right to know, the board’s duty to serve, and the district’s mission to educate every child to the highest standard. Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
External links
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 24, 2025
