My name is Judy Cole, and I am seeking re-election to the Bridge City Independent School District Board of Trustees, Place 2. As a board member, I have and will continue to support decisions that are in the best interest of the students, employees, and citizens of our community.

I graduated from Bridge City High School and have been a resident of Bridge City for over 40 years. My husband, Michael Cole, and my son, Cody, and daughter, Candice, are also all BCHS graduates. Cody currently lives with his family in Rockwall, Texas, and Candice and her family reside in Bridge City. Candice is a teacher at BCHS. I have four grandchildren, Michael, Easton, Jonah, and Ava. Michael and Jonah attend Bridge City Schools.

I am President of Cole Plumbing and attend St. Henry's Catholic Church. I have previously volunteered with the Youth program, RCIA, Eucharistic Minister, Altar Society, Young at Heart group, Liturgical Committee and I have served on the Parish council. I also serve on the board of adjustments for the City of Bridge City. In the past, I served as a surrogate parent, which consisted of attending ARD meetings to be a liaison for the foster children of our school district. I also worked for BCISD as a substitute teacher and cafeteria worker.

Having lived in Bridge City for over 40 years, I can attest that it is a great place to raise a family and BCISD is the anchor of the community. Our district has received some of the highest honors from the state. Bridge City schools offer the students many opportunities to be involved and succeed, not only in academics, but also many enriching programs like athletics, the arts, and music, all of which is a direct result of our excellent, devoted teachers and employees. I feel the district is one of the best academic schools in the area, which is a testament to the teachers and district employees.

It is the responsibility of the Superintendent and School Board to ensure every tax dollar spent benefits all students, district employees, and taxpayers. If re-elected, I will continue to go into each meeting with an open mind, and my decisions will be based on the facts and needs of the district. I will be fair in my decisions and will do everything I can to gain the trust and confidence of the employees and taxpayers of the district. I will always have the best interests of all the children and employees of the district in mind. I will have an open-door policy to listen to the concerns of the taxpayers and make every effort to bring action to those concerns.

It would be an honor to continue serving the students, parents, faculty, staff, and administration of BCISD. I would greatly appreciate your support in my candidacy for Trustee Place 2 on the Bridge City School Board. Early voting begins on April 19 at the BCISD Administration Building. Please contact me at 720-7184 or [email protected] with any questions.