STUDIED GOVERNMENT & SOCIAL WORK AT UT AUSTIN:

Served in the UT Student Government Assembly and on COVID-19 Response Advisory Committees

Interned at the Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Texas Legislature, the Texas Workforce Commission’s Child Care & Early Learning Policy Team, and the Legislative Budget Board’s Public Education Team.

About | Jimmy Counihan for Austin ISD Board of Trustees - District 7

PROUD PRODUCT OF DISTRICT 7 SCHOOLS:

Third-generation AISD graduate - attended Mills Elementary, Gorzycki Middle School, and Bowie High School.

Raised by a Special Education teacher who later served as the Principal of Baranoff Elementary.

Jimmy Counihan attended Mills Elementary, Gorzycki Middle School, and Bowie High School. He studied government and social work at the University of Texas at Austin.

LOCAL, TRUSTED, & EXPERIENCED
STATE GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE:

Jimmy Counihan currently serves as State Rep. Donna Howard’s Policy Communications Director & Scheduler, advising on local policies impacting AISD, the City of Austin, and Travis County.

In addition, Jimmy serves as Director of Communications & Community Engagement for Samantha Lopez-Resendez’s winning primary campaign to represent HD 50, replacing outgoing Rep. James Talarico.

Jimmy also served as Communications and Policy Manager for the Texas Energy & Climate Caucus during the 89th Legislative Session, where he mediated legislative negotiations, tracked bills, and worked with authors to promote legislation.

Previously, Jimmy worked as a Federal Funds Analyst at the Legislative Budget Board during the 88th Legislative Session, where he wrote “Fiscal Notes” projecting the cost of Omnibus Bills and provided guidance to the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees on federal grant rules.

Previously, Jimmy worked as a Federal Funds Analyst at the Legislative Budget Board during the 88th Legislative Session, where he wrote “Fiscal Notes” projecting the cost of Omnibus Bills and provided guidance to the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees on federal grant rules.

STUDIED GOVERNMENT & SOCIAL WORK AT UT AUSTIN:

Jimmy currently serves as State Rep. Donna Howard’s policy communications director and scheduler. He also served as communications and policy manager for the Texas Energy & Climate Caucus and previously worked as a federal funds analyst at the Legislative Budget Board.

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

As of September 19, 2026, Jimmy Counihan’s website did not contain information on this issue.

School Curriculum

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing Austin ISD right now, and how would you address it?
AISD’s biggest challenge is the impact of declining enrollment on the district budget. AISD must retain students to preserve funding, so I would work to understand why families are leaving and seek to address root causes. That starts with listening to the community, supporting teachers, and restoring valued programs.

Q&A: Meet the candidates for Austin ISD District 7 ahead of Nov. 3 election

BRING VALUED PROGRAMS BACK TO DISTRICT 7 CAMPUSES.

Growing up in District 7 schools, I know the importance of academic enrichment programs and wraparound supports for students and families. As a Trustee, I’ll advocate for funding to restore programs like Communities in Schools at Covington, French at Gorzycki, the Vida Clinic at Bowie, and more.

Jimmy Counihan for Austin ISD Board of Trustees - District 7

RESTORE FUNDING FOR BASIC TRANSPORTATION AND FACILITY SERVICES.

Students and families deserve clean campuses and reliable transportation. I don’t want any family to question how their student will get to school or how their campus will afford to clean classrooms.

IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH CITY AND STATE LAWMAKERS.

AISD shouldn’t have to navigate challenges alone. Our city and state lawmakers need to hear directly from the district about what our schools need and where we need their help. I’ll bring my state-level experience to the role by building relationships with our city and state partners and organizing regular briefings to keep them informed and engaged.

Plans to address declining enrollment by identifying why families leave, listening to the community, supporting teachers, and restoring programs.

Advocates for funding to restore Communities in Schools, French instruction, the Vida Clinic, and other programs at District 7 campuses.

Calls for restoring funding for basic transportation and facility services, including campus cleaning.

Plans to build relationships with city and state partners and hold regular briefings on district needs.

- Plans to address declining enrollment by identifying why families leave, listening to the community, supporting teachers, and restoring programs.
- Advocates for funding to restore Communities in Schools, French instruction, the Vida Clinic, and other programs at District 7 campuses.
- Calls for restoring funding for basic transportation and facility services, including campus cleaning.
- Plans to build relationships with city and state partners and hold regular briefings on district needs.

School Facilities & Resources

Student Wellbeing

Teachers

PROTECT SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AND ACCOMMODATIONS.

As the son of a special education teacher, I grew up in inclusion classrooms, and as an AISD student, I received 504 accommodations for dysgraphia. Disability and neurodivergence are natural parts of the student experience. Protecting special education services and academic accommodations is essential to ensuring all students receive the support they need for success.

Supports protecting special education services and academic accommodations.

- Supports protecting special education services and academic accommodations.

Access to Education

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Jimmy Counihan

- Advocates for funding to restore Communities in Schools, French instruction, the Vida Clinic, and other programs at District 7 campuses.
- Calls for restoring funding for basic transportation and facility services, including campus cleaning.
- Plans to build relationships with city and state partners and hold regular briefings on district needs.

Mauricio Mendez

Alejandra Gracias

Laurie Solis

- A trustee is an elected member of a local school board who helps govern a public school district.

- Trustees represent community interests and are responsible for setting policies that guide how the school district operates.

- The board of trustees hires and evaluates the superintendent, who manages the day-to-day operations of the district.

- Trustees approve the district’s budget, monitor spending, and may set the local tax rate or call for bond elections to fund schools.

- The board also oversees educational programs, district goals, and overall performance.

- In Texas, trustees are elected to four-year terms, often on a rotating basis, so not all seats are elected at the same time.

- Trustees serve without financial compensation.

An official who sets policy for a local school district. 