Nekosi Nelson
Nekosi Nelson is a member of the Leander Independent School District in Texas, representing Place 3. He assumed office on November 21, 2024. His current term ends in 2028.
Nelson ran for election to the Leander Independent School District to represent Place 3 in Texas. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Nelson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Nekosi Nelson graduated from Newman Smith High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Morehouse College in 2000 and a graduate degree from the Yale School of Management in 2006. His career experience includes working as a business owner with experience in program and product management across education, tech, nonprofits, and finance.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Leander Independent School District, Texas, elections (2024)
General election
General election for Leander Independent School District Place 3
Nekosi Nelson defeated Jim Sneeringer in the general election for Leander Independent School District Place 3 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Nekosi Nelson (Nonpartisan)  | 51.2 | 36,351 |
 | Jim Sneeringer (Nonpartisan) | 48.8 | 34,617 | |
| Total votes: 70,968 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Nelson in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Nekosi Nelson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Nelson'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 running for the school board motivated by three key commitments: servant leadership, a belief in the transformative power of public education, and the opportunity for Leander ISD to be a model district across Texas.
The future of our community depends on a high-quality public education system. I am committed to focusing on student success, expanding family support, building a connected community, and empowering teachers to ensure every student has personalized, transformative learning opportunities to grow and thrive.
I am here to serve.- Student Outcomes: My top priority is improving student outcomes and closing achievement gaps. I will champion whole-child, personalized learning with a focus on STEM integration, expanded access to innovative programs, and stronger family partnerships. Early childhood intervention and enhanced mental health services are also crucial in ensuring every student reaches their full potential.
- Parent Engagement: Building strong partnerships between schools, families, and the community is at the heart of student success. One area where we can make a big impact is through targeted outreach to families, ensuring they have access to support like tutoring, counseling, and enrichment programs. Engaging all families in their children's education is essential to leveling the playing field and building a more inclusive district.
- Teacher Recruitment and Retention: Educators are LISD's heartbeat. I'll promote respect, support, and value by addressing pay disparities, reducing burnout, and enhancing teacher autonomy. Key actions include: offering performance-based rewards, improving work conditions, increasing teacher voice, investing in professional development, and translating LISD’s “It’s Different Here” program into real, tangible benefits for educators.
Character is the foundation upon which everything else rests. We need leaders who lead with integrity, transparency, and honesty, even when the path is difficult. A values-based approach ensures that decisions are made in the best interest of all stakeholders, especially our students, families, and educators. It's about being accountable and building trust, ensuring that every voice is heard and respected.
Equally important is competence—the ability to gather information, consult with experts, and thoroughly understand the complexities of the issues. No one can predict every challenge that will arise, but a competent leader remains open-minded and resourceful, seeking the necessary knowledge to make well-informed decisions. Competence in leadership means being both proactive and responsive, working toward solutions that are practical and forward-thinking.
As a local business owner and community servant, I have a deep understanding of the importance of collaboration and active engagement. I currently serve on the site-based committee at Leander High School and as a Commissioner for Public Arts & Culture for the City of Leander.
With 23 years of experience in project and program management, including 12 years in K-12 education and youth development, my professional superpower is leading teams and people to achieve shared goals. I know how to bring people together to tackle challenges, create innovative solutions, and drive results. I’m eager to leverage these experiences to serve.
As a proud graduate of Texas public schools and a former K-12 educator, I understand the transformative power of education. I’ve seen firsthand how a strong education system, dedicated teachers, and enriching extracurricular opportunities can open doors for students and prepare them for success.
I am running for the school board with three guiding commitments: servant leadership, a belief in the power of public education, and a vision for Leander ISD to lead by example across Texas. My leadership will always be values-driven and forward-thinking, focused on improving student outcomes, supporting families, building a strong community, and empowering teachers.
Shaping Strategic Direction and Policy: School board members help establish the vision and long-term goals, ensuring our policies reflect community values while prioritizing student success. Whether related to curriculum, safety, student conduct, or equity, policies provide crucial guidance for students, parents, and staff and set the tone for a supportive learning environment.
Overseeing Budgets and Resource Allocation: Responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars is essential. School board members work to create and approve the annual budget, ensuring that the district's financial resources are aligned with its educational priorities. This means balancing the needs of our students, staff, and facilities while planning for future growth and challenges.
Hiring and Evaluating the Superintendent: One of the most important decisions a board makes is selecting and supporting the superintendent. This partnership requires consistent evaluation to ensure the superintendent is empowered to lead with a focus on student outcomes, operational efficiency, and community engagement.
Advocating for Public Education: School board members serve as a bridge between the district and the broader community. Advocacy is a key responsibility—whether it's lobbying for state and federal funding, ensuring local policies reflect community priorities, or building partnerships that enhance student learning.
First and foremost, listening is key. I will actively seek out opportunities to connect with students, families, teachers, and community members to understand their needs, hopes, and concerns. I want to hear firsthand from our stakeholders. This feedback will play a critical role in shaping the decisions I make as a board member.
Responding thoughtfully to concerns and questions is equally important. I believe that part of my responsibility is to help community members navigate the channels within the district and ensure their voices are effectively heard. By providing guidance and transparency, I will build trust and make sure that concerns are addressed in a timely and respectful manner.
I want to invite community members to take an active role in our district. Whether it’s through nominating parents for committees or creating opportunities for local involvement in district initiatives, my goal is to foster a spirit of collaboration and community engagement.
Building bridges with diverse communities is especially important to me. Leander ISD serves a diverse population, and I believe we must engage with all members of our community. This includes ensuring that our district deploys linguistically and culturally diverse resources.
Attending events like PTA meetings, neighborhood forums, and town halls will be a priority. These gatherings are opportunities to connect with stakeholders across the district and keep an open line of communication.
In this environment, education will be dynamic and flexible, integrating both in-person and virtual instruction. I envision classrooms where students engage in project-based learning, hands-on experiments, and real-world simulations—supported by cutting-edge technology and highly skilled educators. Teachers will act as facilitators, guiding students through customized learning paths and encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This model empowers students to take ownership of their education, helping them develop the confidence to succeed in school and beyond.
Beyond academics, student well-being is at the heart of an ideal learning environment. Today’s students are facing unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges. As a district, we need to take a comprehensive approach to supporting their mental health and social-emotional growth. This means providing access to mental health professionals, regular mental health screenings, and wellness programs for both students and staff. Programs like Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) are crucial—they teach essential life skills such as self-awareness, self-management, and responsible decision-making, all of which contribute to a positive school climate and stronger academic outcomes.
I believe Leander ISD must focus on three critical areas, as identified by the National PTA, which are key predictors of student achievement: 1) helping families create a home environment that encourages learning, 2) setting high expectations for academic achievement, and 3) encouraging family involvement in education, both at home and in our schools.
Whether it’s providing reading strategies, math support, or clear guidance on academic expectations, we must empower parents to partner with our teachers. Families and educators can work together to set clear, specific academic goals for every student.
I believe we need targeted family outreach, especially for students facing academic challenges. Regular check-ins with these families can help us develop individualized support plans, connecting them to valuable community resources such as counseling, tutoring, or enrichment programs. This kind of personalized approach helps ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed and that every family feels supported.
I also want to create more opportunities for parents to actively participate in decision-making across the district. This means inviting families to serve on site-based and advisory committees, ensuring that these groups are representative of our diverse community and welcoming to all. Creating more regular community meetings and open forums will allow us to foster dialogue, share relevant updates, and ensure that every family feels heard and included.
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
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Leander Independent School District Place 3 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 17, 2024
