I am proud to announce that I am running for Leander ISD School Board, Place 1. The military relocated our family to Texas in 2020, and I immediately enrolled my kids in LISD schools. I have two LISD graduates and two students who are currently in the district. I have been an active volunteer with Leander ISD and have served as an Educational Ambassador, a District-wide Educational Improvement Council (DWEIC) member, and on the Community Based Accountability System (CBAS) Committee.

Board: Elections | Leander ISD

My career background includes education policy and research, school counseling, and financial counseling. I hold a BBA in Operations Management and an MS in School Counseling. I am also an Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). I have over two decades of experience in educational, community, and military family advocacy, and I’m ready to contribute that same experience and perspective to the school board.

Serenity Coats moved with her family to Texas in 2020. She holds a BBA in operations management and an MS in school counseling. Her children include two Leander ISD graduates and two students currently in the district.

Board: Elections - Leander ISD

Serenity Coats has a career background in education policy and research, school counseling, and financial counseling. She is an Accredited Financial Counselor and a National Certified Counselor.

Serenity has a career background in education policy and research, school counseling, and financial counseling. She is an Accredited Financial Counselor and a National Certified Counselor.

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

If elected, what new district projects or policies would you like to see implemented?
I'd like LISD to expand its academic programs and course offerings and incorporate career exploration as part of the financial education curriculum across all campuses. I support data-driven efficiency reviews and expanded listening sessions to guide decisions. I want to grow community partnerships that promote military and career readiness.

Q&A: Meet the candidates for Leander ISD Place 1 | Community Impact

Proposes expanding academic programs and course offerings and incorporating career exploration into financial education across all campuses.

- Proposes expanding academic programs and course offerings and incorporating career exploration into financial education across all campuses.

School Curriculum

If elected, what will be your top priorities to address district challenges?
I'll engage with legislators to secure adequate state funding for the district. I’ll prioritize operational and fiscal efficiency, while balancing the utilization of campuses, so resources reach classrooms. I'll also focus on enhancing campus safety and security measures and increasing the enrollment and attendance rate to improve student learning.

Plans to engage state legislators to secure adequate funding for Leander ISD.

Prioritizes operational and fiscal efficiency and balancing campus use so resources reach classrooms.

Supports data-driven efficiency reviews and expanded listening sessions to guide district decisions.

- Plans to engage state legislators to secure adequate funding for Leander ISD.
- Prioritizes operational and fiscal efficiency and balancing campus use so resources reach classrooms.
- Supports data-driven efficiency reviews and expanded listening sessions to guide district decisions.

School Facilities & Resources

Plans to enhance campus safety and security measures and increase enrollment and attendance to improve student learning.

- Plans to enhance campus safety and security measures and increase enrollment and attendance to improve student learning.

Student Wellbeing

As of September 21, 2026, Serenity Coats did not have a website or any information online.

Teachers

What motivated you to run for this position?
I want to use my experience to advocate for all students, support teachers, increase operational efficiency, and strengthen family and community engagement across the district. I am committed to policies that promote college, career, and military readiness, strong student intervention systems, and postsecondary readiness opportunities for every LISD student.

Committed to policies promoting college, career, and military readiness; student intervention systems; and postsecondary opportunities for every Leander ISD student.

Wants to grow community partnerships that promote military and career readiness.

- Committed to policies promoting college, career, and military readiness; student intervention systems; and postsecondary opportunities for every Leander ISD student.
- Wants to grow community partnerships that promote military and career readiness.

Access to Education

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Serenity Coats

As of September 21, 2026, Serenity Coats’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Wants to grow community partnerships that promote military and career readiness.

Mauricio Mendez

Alejandra Gracias

Gerald Prater

- 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. 