Dr. Coby Kirkpatrick

Joe Trevino

Jose “Joe” Trevino attended Cleburne High School from 1997 to 2000 and is a 2001 graduate of Rio Vista ISD. He works as an inside sales rep.

Why you chose to run for school board?
While attending community and school events, many have asked why I am running for this spot; I have no specific agenda in mind, however the acronym STAFF best describes my why.
S. Students- I want to ensure we provide the best possible atmosphere for our students and teachers; individuals who enter any CISD facility daily should not feel worried about their safety. My goal is to work with the board and administrators to create an environment to support positive experiences for our children. I want our district to be the most sought out district in the state. Cleburne has a slew of students who choose to attend nearby districts because of their unsatisfactory experiences in Cleburne. All stakeholders of CISD deserve to know their board is doing their best to make CISD attractive to those who belong here.
T. Teachers- Our educators deserve to have a supportive board to back them while they provide a quality education to the scholars of CISD. Teachers should feel encouraged to try innovative strategies in the classroom without fear of retribution for trying something new. Being a parent of CISD, I believe clear and timely communication contributes to student success. Educators who do not put forth their best efforts responding to parents in a timely manner or creating engaging lesson plans should be held accountable by their administrators and given a corrective action plan.
A. Academics and Athletics- I want us to be known and excel in both. Currently, neither option provides positive results. This is unacceptable and does not keep with our #INSPIRE culture we are trying to build; athletics plays an important role in the classroom, and vice versa, both are crucial parts of our education. As our student athletes transition into young adults, they will see in more ways than one that being a part of a team is a part of everyday life.
F. Financial Responsibility- I want to be the voice of reason when it comes to making financial decisions. If details are cloudy, I will ask questions for transparency so the community knows what their tax dollars are paying for and how the district is utilizing federal and state funding.
F. Family- I am responsible for ensuring to all the families in our community our district is doing right by our children daily, not just in the good times. Safety is a top priority for our scholars. I want to educate parents on our safety procedures to give them peace of mind. There should always be full disclosure to what is happening beyond the doors of our schools and not leaving parents at the mercy of social media posts causing havoc and undo stress.

I grew up in this town and have several nieces, nephews, and close family friends here enrolled at CISD and it hurts me to see what we have come to as of late. We need effective change for our students, and we need it now.

Jason Tennison

Wendell Dempsey 

Wendell Dempsey was elected in 2009. A product of the Fort Worth public school system, he has seen three generations of family go through Cleburne schools.

Mr. Dempsey has owned the only auto machine shop in town for 51 years. He felt his experience and
knowledge in business and finance were contributing qualities he could bring to the Board, in first choosing to run for office in 2009. “

The fact that we, as Board members, come from all walks of life and careers, helps us come together to solve problems. We share a trust and respect for each other.”

John Finnell

John Finnell was elected in 2015. He is a native of Cleburne and the father of three Cleburne High School graduates. Mr. Finnell is a member of the Leadership TASB class of 2018.

He attended The University of North Texas and is a marketing consultant and account executive. He is a
member of the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce and served on its Board of Directors.

Mr. Finnell first ran for the Board in 2015 because of desire to be more involved in the school district and community. In taking his service as a Trustee to the next level in applying for Leadership TASB, he believes the experience will expand his understanding of the role and function of the school board and its members. “I believe this will be helpful to the District in participating in this program. It’s also an opportunity to collaborate with Trustees from like districts, to learn from each other and to be exposed to best practices.”

Teddy Martyniuk

Teddy Martyniuk was elected in 2012. Five of his children have graduated from Cleburne schools. Mr. Martyniuk sought reelection in 2021 to continue his years of service to the community. “It’s been an honor working with the administration in this school district. My goal is to make the right decisions with students in mind.”

A graduate of Midwestern State University, he is a regional manager for a national retail corporation.
During his years as a Trustee, he has served as Board president, seen the passage of three bond referendums and a TRE, the construction of three new elementary schools, the implementation of districtwide security and safety initiatives, digital devices for students PreK-12, and the building of a new high school to open in December, 2019.

A Cleburne resident since 1999, he has been a member of numerous civic organizations including the Chamber of Commerce. His passion for serving others includes work with the intellectually disabled through Special Olympics and related programs. He has also spent years on the football field coaching future Cleburne Yellow Jackets.

Elizabeth Childress

Elizabeth Childress was elected in 2013. After years of school involvement as a volunteer tutor, PTA member and parent representative on the CISD Strategic Plan, Facilities Review and District Site-Based Decision Making Committees, she chose to put the knowledge gained from those experiences to work as a member of the Board of Trustees.

She is a former student of Texas A & M University and has a background in marketing, public relations
and graphic design. Mrs. Childress is married to a CHS graduate. She chose to run for re-election, as “there was more work to be done,” citing the Bond 2016 referendum, and with its passage, the construction of a new high school.

In stating her purpose in seeking election to the Board, Mrs. Childress said she was “committed to making sure students have everything they need to stay on the education pathway, whether they continue on to college or additional training or go directly into the workforce following graduation from high school.”

DeAnna King

DeAnna King was elected in 2016. She is a graduate of Rio Vista High School and is married to a CHS graduate. Mrs. King is a founding member of the Cleburne Education Foundation and is serving as chairman of the CEF Nashville Lights annual fundraiser. She is a past president of the Cleburne Athletic Booster Club and a member of the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs. King views her role of school board member as one of service. “I’ve wanted to give back to the community that has given me and my family so much.”