Pamela Mathai is running for the At-Large seat on the AISD Board of Trustees. A public school teacher for 15 years and a mom with a child in AISD, she's running to protect Austin's public schools from state takeover, and to make sure every family has access to safe, quality public education.

Pamela for AISD Place 9

Pamela Mathai spent 15 years teaching in Texas public schools: starting in Houston, then Dallas, and now Austin; including at Ann Richards School and Navarro High School. She stepped away from the classroom after her youngest child was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and needed her direct care. Now that her daughter is back in daycare full-time, Pamela is channeling that same dedication into protecting the public schools her own family relies on.

Pamela has 15 years of experience as an educator.

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing Austin ISD right now, and how would you address it?
The biggest challenge facing AISD is state takeover. If TEA takes over, this will result in removal of the elected board. I will work with local and state groups to find ways to resist the effects of a takeover and be prepared to take back control once we are reinstated.

Q&A: Meet the candidates for Austin ISD At-Large Position 9 ahead of Nov. 3 election

From a Parent’s Perspective

As a parent, she knows a child's success can't be measured by test scores alone. It's happy teachers, engaged families, and a rich range of learning experiences that help kids thrive.

Believes the biggest challenge in the Austin Independent School District is a "state takeover."

Thinks that a child's success cannot be measured by test scores alone, but by happy teachers, engaged families, and a wide range of learning experiences that help a child thrive.

- Believes the biggest challenge in the Austin Independent School District is a "state takeover."
- Thinks that a child's success cannot be measured by test scores alone, but by happy teachers, engaged families, and a wide range of learning experiences that help a child thrive.

School Curriculum

What would your top priorities be if elected?
My number one priority is to safeguard the learning experience of students by protecting the autonomy of teachers and independence of our district. I will focus on student outcomes by prioritizing funding schools based on need and by protecting pay for classified and non-classified staff.

Focused on funding schools based on need and protecting pay for classified and non-classified staff.

- Focused on funding schools based on need and protecting pay for classified and non-classified staff.

School Facilities & Resources

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

Student Wellbeing

Teachers

Access to Education

Pamela Mathai

Advocates for increasing the basic funding per student to match the national average.

Mathai's campaign website identifies her as “A public school teacher for 15 years and a mom with a child in AISD.”

Pamela Mathai is a mother with a child in Austin Independent School District.

Mathai's campaign website says: “Pamela Mathai spent 15 years teaching in Texas public schools: starting in Houston, then Dallas, and now Austin; including at Ann Richards School and Navarro High School.”

Pamela currently teaches in Austin public schools. She previously taught in Houston and Dallas, including at Ann Richards School and Navarro High School.

Plans to protect teacher autonomy and district independence to safeguard students' learning experience.

Prioritizes funding schools based on need.

Plans to increase investment in transportation, special education services, and community partnerships.

Plans to protect pay for classified and non-classified staff.

Advocates for increasing the basic allotment per student to the national average and opposes vouchers.

Plans to protect Austin Independent School District from state takeover and focus on student outcomes to expand access to quality education.

Alejandra Gracias

Isaac Brickman

How would you support students, families and staff amid ongoing budget constraints?
At the legislative level, we must continue to advocate for an increased basic allotment for students to match the national average and fight against vouchers. We must also use funds to increase investment in transportation, special education services, and our community partnerships to improve our support for students and families.

Cynthia Soliz

Kirk Becker

- 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. 