Jay Fitch

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Jay Fitch

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 3, 2025

Education

High school

Euless Trinity High School

Bachelor's

University of Texas at Arlington, 1987

Personal

Religion

Southern Baptist

Profession

Teacher

Contact

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Jay Fitch ran for election to the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District to represent Place 2 in Texas. He lost in the general election on May 3, 2025.

Fitch completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jay Fitch earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1987. His career experience includes working as a teacher and coach. Fitch has been affiliated with Cross City Church.

Elections

2025

See also: Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District, Texas, elections (2025)

General election

General election for Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District, Place 2

John Biggan defeated Jay Fitch in the general election for Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District, Place 2 on May 3, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		John Biggan (Nonpartisan)	53.1	3,663
		Jay Fitch (Nonpartisan)	46.9	3,240

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,903
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Fitch in this election.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jay Fitch completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Fitch's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Jay Fitch. I have been a high school math teacher for 38 years, focused on helping students reach their potential. As I step away from teaching I am not ready to step away from serving students.

I am a product of Hurst-Euless-Bedford and have taught in the district for 25 years. I bring a unique perspective of what is happening in the classrooms of the district. I want to advocate for our students and our teachers, making sure that we don’t waste money and we don’t waste time doing things because that is the way we have always done it.

I am an outside the box thinker and want to take part in the conversation that will decide our path moving forward.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Students are the “main thing” and every decision must have their best interest in mind.
• Parent involvement is the key to student success. As our demographic changes we have to find innovative ways to make sure the parents know how vital they are in their child’s education.
• Teachers are the backbone of a district. We must recruit the best and keep them in our district. We have to find ways to respect teachers’ time and eliminate repetitive, unnecessary meetings and professional development.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about student welfare and growth

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My parents (both deceased) set a standard of Christian ethics from birth.
I am blessed with an older brother that does things right! He is a servant and always looks to help others. It is easy to look up to his example.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

No

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Ethics, integrity, honesty, approachability, servants heart

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a leader. I ask questions. I have no fear (sometimes to my own chagrin!)
There is no challenge I will avoid. As an athlete I might not have always won, but my opponent would never forget playing me. I will bring that same tenacity to the Board.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Review existing and pass new policy that benefits the day to day operations of the district, always keeping the students and employees welfare in mind.

What legacy would you like to leave?

As a teacher my goal was to be mentioned among the best math teachers in Trinity history. I wasn’t hired to be second best!
As a Board Member I will want to be remembered as a servant to the district.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Does the Rangers moving to Arlington in 1072 count as historic?

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I grew up on a dairy farm, my first job was feeding the cows.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Bible.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

As Jamie Tart said on “Ted Lasso”…I am me, why would I want to be anyone else?

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

“I Am Not Okay” by Jelly Roll

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have a very blessed life. There are few struggles!
If you ask those that know me they might say I lack tact. Does that count?

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

To create meaningful policy and hold administration accountable for implementing these policies.

Who are your constituents?

Parents and students of HEB.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

HEB is the most diverse district in the state. It is important that each individual is respected, protected from discrimination and/or bullying. No one’s rights supersede the rights of another individual.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

First, I hate the word stakeholders. We have parents, students and members of the community. That word needs to be struck from our vocabulary!

I am here to serve everyone. At different times different groups will have pressing needs. During those times they may receive more of my focus.

As far as relationships go, I have been in the community nearly all of my life and people know that I am sincere in my commitment to students and I am open to listening.

What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?

Great teaching occurs when the teacher knows the student well enough to meet them where they are and move them forward.

I don’t know what an advanced teaching approach is, sounds like something made up by someone who has never taught.

There are effective and ineffective. We want effective!

In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?

The state is moving toward personal finance, which is great. (They are not smart enough to ask where best to fit it in the curriculum.)
HEB is already a World School District offering IB and AP classes. The Buinger Center offers a multitude of career specific options for students. We as a district need to be cognizant of new innovations and prepared to adapt our curriculum as needed.

What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?

Funding is based on taxes and state support. My job is not to raise money, my job is to make sure we are great stewards of the money we have! HEB has traditionally been one of the best in this area.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Every student is important and every parent is trusting us each day they send their child to school. Continuing to strive for the most efficient safety measures will always be a priority.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

Make sure we continue to have highly capable counselors at each campus.

Tell us your favorite joke.

What did the zero say to the 8?

Nice belt!

What existing district policies would you like to change, or what new policies would you like to implement?

Those ideas will be shared if I am elected to the Board. I don’t have an agenda to change, only to serve.

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

Engaged students working with a knowledgeable, enthusiastic instructor.

How do you feel like your school district handled the coronavirus pandemic? What, if anything, would you do differently in the future?

That is irrelevant at this point. It is time to move forward.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

My job is to oversee the district. Personal relationships with parents aren’t part of that. But I will attend activities, strike up conversations and listen whenever I am in a public setting.

What are your preferred strategies for faculty, staff, and administration recruitment?

We need to seek out the best available staff, don’t wait for them to come to us.

We need to pay staff competitively to retain them and the services they provide.

Administratively we must promote those who are qualified. HEB does not need to be a “learn on the job” district.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

These are essential to gain trust and buy in from the community. Financial transparency is especially important as we move forward with our billion dollar bond.

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.

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