Nell Anne Hunt

This page was current at the end of the official's last term in office covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Nell Anne Hunt

Prior offices

Irving Independent School District, District 2

---

Report an officeholder change

Education

Bachelor's

Texas Tech University

Nell Anne Hunt was a member of the Irving Independent School District in Texas, representing District 2. Hunt assumed office in 2014. Hunt left office on November 16, 2020.

Hunt ran for re-election to the Irving Independent School District to represent District 2 in Texas. Hunt won in the general election on May 6, 2017.

Biography

Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of updates to this biography.

Hunt's professional experience includes being a realtor in the city of Irving. She earned a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University. She founded the Great Flag Caper, which placed over 40,000 American flags in Irving on the 4th of July.

Elections

2017

See also: Irving Independent School District elections (2017)

Two of the seven seats on the Irving Independent School District board of trustees were up for general election on May 6, 2017. In his bid for re-election to the District 1 seat, incumbent Steven Jones ran unopposed and won another term. District 2 incumbent Nell Anne Hunt defeated challenger Sharon DeBerry.

Results

Irving Independent School District, District 2 General Election, 3-year term, 2017
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Nell Anne Hunt Incumbent	66.67%	1,280
Sharon DeBerry	33.33%	640
Total Votes		1,920
Source: Dallas County Elections, "2017 Joint Election," accessed September 20, 2017

Funding

See also: Campaign finance in the Irving Independent School District elections

Hunt reported $7,040.00 in contributions and $5,354.49 in expenditures to the Irving Independent School District, which left her campaign with $1,685.51 on hand as of April 26, 2017.

2014

See also: Irving Independent School District elections (2014)

Nell Anne Hunt ran against fellow newcomer Garrett M. Landry for the District 2 seat on May 10, 2014.

Results

Irving Independent School District, District 2, 3-year term, May 10, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Nonpartisan	Nell Anne Hunt	62.9%	1,325
	Nonpartisan	Garrett M. Landry	37.1%	783
Total Votes				2,108
Source: Dallas County Elections, "Unofficial Cumulative Results," accessed June 24, 2015 Ballotpedia confirmed these results are official by phone.

Funding

Hunt did not file a campaign finance report with the Texas Ethics Commission.

Endorsements

Hunt was endorsed by District 2 incumbent Gail Conder Wells to take her place.

Campaign themes

2017

Hunt participated in the following survey conducted by The Dallas Morning News. The questions provided by The Dallas Morning News appear bolded, and Hunt's responses follow below.

Why are you running for this office, and why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?

“	Education is the key to an educated work force for our country. As a country we can choose to fund prisons or fund education. Funding education means that our children will grow up to be the PTA members, youth group sponsors and tax-payers of the future. Education is also the trajectory out of poverty. My family has always dedicated their efforts to giving back to education through teaching, school board service and founding a university. Public schools need advocates more than ever, and I have been very active on the State and National level advocating for universal pre-K programs and other vital educational issues. Our District watches the dollars very carefully. We stretch every cent and have not raised taxes since I have been on the Board. Locally I tutor every week in my neighborhood school. I attend many events in our schools, and I have a rapport with teachers, principals and teachers. During my time on the Board of Trustees our district has made much progress, and I want to continue that momentum that I began. I think this is the best job in the world because when I wake up every morning I know I have the opportunity to do something meaningful for a child that day.	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2017)

If elected, what two issues would you give the most attention and resources?

“	I am a strong advocate of universal Pre-K, and I want to help our district adapt to and excel in the new State grading system.	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2017)

For incumbent trustees: What have you learned from your board service that you believe makes you more effective?

“	I know all the parameters of what is possible under the laws. I have formed coalitions with educators throughout the country. The citizens are comfortable coming to me with their concerns. I take a team approach. In fact, the theme of my campaign is 'Joining hands to make a difference in the lives of children and our nation.'	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2017)

As you look around the country, what innovative ideas would you recommend for improving classroom performance?

“	Class size is important. Giving poor children more exposure to positive activities outside their limited world. Constantly be aware of teacher morale and do everything to improve it. Reading, writing and arithmetic should be taught foremost. We have changed back to phonics which I think is great. We continue to improve and enlarge our Career training and our STEM offerings. We also continue to offer educational opportunities for the parents of our students.	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2017)

Given the current funding structure, how does your district meet the academic needs of its low-income students? Are you willing to ask voters to approve a tax increase to create or expand these programs?

“	Right now we are very creatively meeting the academic needs of our low-income students without asking for a tax increase.	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2017)

Many districts are exploring creative ways to save money or shift costs to parents and students. What creative measures would you favor or oppose and why?

“	Because we have so many low-income students we can not shift costs to parents and students. We apply for grants from foundations to fund the extras that we can't budget.	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2017)

The state has adopted an A through F accountability system for district and campuses. Do you favor or oppose this system and why?

“	I do not think it adequately measures a school's performance. However, it looks like the State is going to keep it so we have to learn to adapt to it.	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2017)

How would you assess the district’s efforts to improve graduation rates and increase the number of students prepared for college? What further improvements would you advocate?

“	We have done a great job in improving the graduation rate. Our current graduation rate is 93.1%!! We are doing many things to increase our students' pathway to college. We give free SAT prep. Our counselors work one on one with students. We have an excellent AVID program. Beginning with the youngest students, we discuss colleges. We are having more and more students apply to and be accepted to Ivy League colleges.	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2017)

What schools in your district have been particularly effective in getting every child up to grade level in reading and math?

“	All of our schools are offering extra tutoring and many are offering Saturday schools. We have educational specialists to help the ones who are struggling. I have recruited many volunteers to mentor and tutor children.	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2017)

How would you assess your district’s current school choice efforts, and what changes are needed?

“	I think we offer a smorgasbord of educational choices. Our language departments and career instruction are excellent. We increased all our Fine Arts facilities at our high schools this year, and we have musicians competing all over the State.	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2017)

How would you assess your superintendent’s performance?

“	Dr. Parra is a dedicated educator. He cares deeply about every student and teacher in our District. He and his staff don't hibernate in the Administration Building but go to the schools and help every day. He has created an effective team, and he expects their high performance. In our District every decision is made with the child in mind.	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2017)

Where do you stand on the importance of early-childhood education? Would you support increasing class-size ratios at other grade levels in order to introduce or expand pre-K?

“	I am a strong advocate of universal Pre-K for the State of Texas. Early childhood education is the most cost-effective action the Legislature could do. I do not support increasing the class-szie ratios at other grade levels. The State can take the savings from the prisons they will not have to build and invest it in Pre-K. We want our children to be Kindergarten ready. Did you know that the State of Texas counts the number of non-readers in the third grades and uses that figure to determine the number of prison cells needed in the future? One of our most successful early childhood programs is the HIPPY program, which is run by the National Council of Jewish Women. We provide staff to make this program soar. The program works with families who have children starting at age 3. We have done this for enough years now that we had our first two HIPPY graduates last year. They are both going to the University of Texas on scholarships, and they are planning to be doctors!!	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2017)

What resources are lacking in schools in your district? How could the district deliver services in the most cost-effective manner?

“	I always wish we could have smaller classes and more field trips. I think we are delivering services in the most cost-effective manner now.	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2017)

In what ways can your district’s communications with parents be improved? Likewise, how can parental involvement in your district improve?

“	We are doing a great job with parental involvement. This week was public school week, and all the schools had open houses. There were so many families who came that it was difficult to find a parking place! We have 61 languages spoken by our students, and we have wonderful ways to translate for parents. Recently we had a computer class for 185 mothers so they could communicate with their child's teachers better. We have rooms in our schools where parents can come to volunteer. Our schools are welcoming places for our families.	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2017)

2014

Hunt stated the following about her campaign in a Q&A with Dallas News:

“	Why are you running for this office? Education is the one thing that we have to get right for the future of our country. We have to prepare an educated workforce for the future. Irving has been a low-performing district, and this must change. Student achievement has to be the focus. We must also address teacher morale. This can and must be changed. Why should voters choose you over your opponent? I have a depth of educational experience and an extensive knowledge of the community that he does not have. I have worked in several districts as a volunteer. I have studied all the trends. I can bring together people to make positive changes. I have the respect of the community that will help make the hard decisions acceptable to the city. I want to eliminate the politics and concentrate on the students and the teachers. If elected, what two issues should be given the most attention and resources during your term in office? Student achievement and teacher morale. What resources are lacking in schools in your trustee district? Individual tutoring needs to be added for after school and Saturdays. Teachers need more opportunities for professional development. Many of the playgrounds are inferior. Children who are struggling with their studies need to be identified and helped immediately.	”
—Nell Anne Hunt (2014)

See also

• Irving Independent School District, Texas
• Irving Independent School District elections (2014)
• Irving Independent School District elections (2017)

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic