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Vanessa Marsters
From Ballotpedia
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Vanessa Marsters is a member of the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District in Texas, representing District 3. She assumed office on May 20, 2025. Her current term ends in 2029.
Marsters ran for election to the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District to represent District 3 in Texas. She won in the general election on May 3, 2025.
Marsters completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Vanessa Marsters earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston in 2005. Her career experience includes working as an operations director.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, Texas, elections (2025)
General election
General election for Lamar Consolidated Independent School District District 3
Vanessa Marsters defeated Leslie Menchaca Gracia in the general election for Lamar Consolidated Independent School District District 3 on May 3, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Vanessa Marsters (Nonpartisan)  | 68.7 | 421 |
| Leslie Menchaca Gracia (Nonpartisan) | 31.3 | 192 | ||
| Total votes: 613 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Marsters in this election.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Vanessa Marsters completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Marsters' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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My name is Vanessa Marsters, and I'm a proud parent and dedicated community leader with over 20 years of business experience. I currently serve on Lamar CISD's Strategic Planning Committee, have served on multiple zoning committees, and currently hold a leadership role on the PTO. I’m known for my common-sense, solution-focused approach and a strong commitment to fostering collaboration and positive change.
- Smart Growth and Strategic Planning – I am committed to managing Lamar CISD's hypergrowth responsibly, ensuring new schools, facility upgrades, and resource distribution align with the needs of our students and community.
- Strong Support for Teachers and Staff – By prioritizing competitive pay, professional development, and workload management, I will ensure that our teachers and staff have the resources and support they need to thrive and retain top talent.
- Community Engagement and Parent Involvement – I will work to increase parent and community participation by creating more opportunities for their voices to be heard through surveys, forums, and committees, ensuring that Lamar CISD is a district families choose.
I am passionate about key areas of public policy that drive community success. First, education and teacher support: ensuring teachers are well-compensated, supported, and equipped is vital to student success. Second, school safety and discipline: a safe, disciplined environment is critical for learning, and I support policies to maintain this while enhancing security measures. Finally, community engagement and transparency: fostering stronger partnerships between the district, parents, and local organizations ensures all voices are heard and strengthens our schools.
I believe that political philosophy should focus on practical decision-making and solutions rather than ideology. If you’re interested in understanding my approach, I recommend exploring resources that emphasize ethical leadership, fiscal responsibility, and the importance of serving the community. My perspective is grounded in making decisions that prioritize the well-being of students, families, and staff. The key is ensuring decisions benefit the community as a whole.
For an elected official, the most important characteristics are integrity, transparency, and accountability. It’s crucial to serve with honesty, communicate openly with the community, and take responsibility for decisions. Additionally, being open-minded and solutions-oriented helps ensure that all voices are heard, and that decisions benefit the entire community.
I bring a strong sense of commitment, a solutions-oriented mindset, and a deep understanding of the community’s needs. As a longtime community member and active volunteer, I am dedicated to advocating for the best interests of students, teachers, and families. I also possess strong communication and collaboration skills, which are essential for working with diverse groups and finding practical, effective solutions. My ability to stay focused on the bigger picture while being attentive to details makes me well-suited to serve as a school board trustee.
The core responsibilities of a school board trustee include ensuring academic excellence, supporting teachers and staff, and managing district resources effectively. Trustees must also prioritize student safety, engage with the community, and make decisions that reflect the best interests of students, families, and educators. Additionally, they must provide strong financial oversight and foster an environment of transparency and accountability within the district.
I want to leave a legacy of a district that people flock to because it’s exceptional... a place where innovative ideas and solutions work to support the success of every student. Lamar CISD should be known for offering different, effective approaches that drive academic excellence, community engagement, and teacher support, creating an environment where families feel proud to be a part of. I hope to contribute to making the district a model for others in how to grow, adapt, and thrive.
The primary job of a school board member is to represent the community’s interests, ensure academic excellence, and provide effective oversight of the district's operations and budget. This includes supporting teachers and staff, ensuring student safety, and making decisions that prioritize the long-term success of students. A school board member must also foster open communication, maintain transparency, and ensure accountability in all aspects of the district’s governance.
My constituents are the students, families, educators, staff, community members, and tax-payers within Lamar CISD. This group includes those who fund the district through taxes, as well as those directly impacted by decisions related to education, school safety, and community involvement. As a school board member, my responsibility is to represent and address the needs and concerns of all these groups to ensure the success and growth of our district.
To support the diverse needs of our district’s students, faculty, staff, and community, I will focus on policies that ensure access to resources and opportunities for every student, including support for ESL students and those with special needs.
I will prioritize professional development for teachers and staff, ensuring they are equipped to meet the unique needs of a diverse student body.
I will build relationships with the broader community by engaging in open communication and collaboration with key stakeholders, including parents, local businesses, civic organizations, and faith-based groups. I will attend community events, hold regular forums, and create opportunities for dialogue through surveys and town halls to ensure every voice is heard.
I will specifically target local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, non-profits, and higher education institutions to create partnerships that enhance educational opportunities, career readiness programs, and community support. By actively engaging with these groups, I will ensure that our schools are well-connected to the community they serve.
I will specifically target local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, non-profits, and higher education institutions to create partnerships that enhance educational opportunities, career readiness programs, and community support. By actively engaging with these groups, I will ensure that our schools are well-connected to the community they serve.
Good teaching is characterized by engaging, student-centered instruction, where educators create a supportive and dynamic environment that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. It involves not only delivering content but also adapting to individual student needs and encouraging active participation. A good teacher is one who inspires curiosity, provides timely feedback, and maintains high expectations for all students.
To measure this, I will focus on student growth, teacher evaluations, and feedback from students, parents, and peers. Standardized assessments, along with regular formative assessments, will provide insights into the effectiveness of teaching methods, but I will also value qualitative measures like student engagement and overall well-being.
I believe expanding the curriculum to offer more advanced technical training and apprenticeships is essential to prepare students for the diverse career opportunities in today’s world. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs should be further enhanced, along with career and technical education (CTE) pathways, providing students with hands-on experience and practical skills that are directly applicable to the workforce.
Additionally, I would advocate for innovative programming such as entrepreneurship and financial literacy, ensuring students are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in both traditional careers and entrepreneurial ventures. Collaborations with local businesses and universities to offer real-world experiences, internships, and college-credit courses would also be key in expanding opportunities for our students. These types of programs would provide students with a broader, more diverse set of skills, opening doors to various career paths and future success.
Additionally, I would advocate for innovative programming such as entrepreneurship and financial literacy, ensuring students are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in both traditional careers and entrepreneurial ventures. Collaborations with local businesses and universities to offer real-world experiences, internships, and college-credit courses would also be key in expanding opportunities for our students. These types of programs would provide students with a broader, more diverse set of skills, opening doors to various career paths and future success.
To ensure schools are properly funded, I will advocate for fair funding from local, state, and federal sources, working to secure the district’s fair share. By strengthening partnerships with local businesses and organizations, we can supplement funding for programs like STEM and extracurricular activities. I’ll also prioritize efficient resource management, ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, and explore alternative funding options, such as grants and public-private partnerships. These efforts will help provide the necessary resources for student success while maintaining financial stability for Lamar CISD.
The principles that drive my policies for safety in schools are prevention, preparedness, and accountability. I prioritize creating a proactive environment through consistent discipline and clear policies, ensuring students and staff are safe at all times. Additionally, I support regular safety drills and enhanced security measures, such as cameras and monitoring systems. Above all, safety policies should be transparent and involve input from students, parents, and staff to create a safe and supportive learning environment for everyone.
While I believe mental health support is important, I think it is not the sole responsibility of the school district. Instead, I would focus on partnering with local mental health organizations to ensure students, faculty, and staff have access to the resources they need. The district’s role should be to create a safe, supportive environment that fosters overall well-being, while working with community providers to offer specialized mental health services.
I would ensure consistent enforcement of discipline policies, implement strategies to increase parent engagement, and introduce a comprehensive summer learning program offering enrichment, STEM activities, and academic support to reduce learning loss. Additionally, I would advocate for flexible scheduling to support teachers' work-life balance while maintaining high educational standards.
My ideal learning environment for students is one that is safe, supportive, and engaging, where every student feels valued and encouraged to succeed. It should be a place where individual needs are addressed, whether through personalized learning plans, resources for special needs students, or opportunities for advanced coursework.
Technology should be used in balance, enhancing the learning experience without overwhelming it. Students should have access to the tools and resources they need, while also engaging in hands-on, interactive learning that fosters creativity and critical thinking. Teachers should have the support and professional development necessary to create dynamic classrooms that blend traditional methods with modern tools.
I believe our school district adapted quickly to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, shifting to remote learning and ensuring the health and safety of students and staff. However, in the future, I would focus on improving communication with parents, clearer guidelines for transitions between in-person and remote learning, and better access to resources for students and teachers. Having more flexible, well-prepared contingency plans would ensure we’re ready for any unforeseen circumstances.
To build a strong relationship with parents, I will prioritize open, two-way communication. This includes holding regular forums, town halls, and surveys to ensure parents’ voices are heard and their concerns are addressed. I will also actively engage with parent organizations like PTAs and encourage involvement through school events and volunteer opportunities.
By making myself accessible and responsive, I will ensure that parents feel valued and empowered to contribute to their children’s education. Additionally, I will advocate for transparent reporting on school activities, academic progress, and district decisions to keep parents informed and engaged.
By making myself accessible and responsive, I will ensure that parents feel valued and empowered to contribute to their children’s education. Additionally, I will advocate for transparent reporting on school activities, academic progress, and district decisions to keep parents informed and engaged.
My preferred strategies for faculty, staff, and administration recruitment focus on attracting top talent and retaining skilled professionals by offering competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional development. I will work to ensure that Lamar CISD is recognized as a top choice for educators, focusing on creating a supportive work environment with clear paths for growth and mentorship.
I believe financial transparency and government accountability are essential to building trust with the community. Elected officials must ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, with clear communication about budgeting, spending, and decision-making. Regular audits, open meetings, and accessible financial reports are key to maintaining accountability. Transparency ensures that decisions reflect the best interests of the community and fosters a system of trust and responsibility between the district and its stakeholders.
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
2025 Elections
External links
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Candidate Lamar Consolidated Independent School District District 3 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 2, 2025
