Earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Loyola University in New Orleans, LA, Marques went on to pursue a doctoral degree in School Psychology from Tulane University. She provides psychological services to children and families while also participating in program development and teaching and mentoring of clinicians as an adjunct assistant professor with Tulane University School of Medicine.

Marques Sworn In as New Leander ISD Trustee | Leander ISD News

Bio

Laura Marques, Ph.D., was appointed to the Leander ISD Board of Trustees in October 2025. She and her husband have two children who attend Tarvin Elementary. Her involvement in the district includes serving in several volunteer capacities, including with site-based committees, the Special Programs Advisory Council and PTA.

Place 6: Laura Marques | Leander ISD

Laura Marques earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Loyola University in New Orleans and pursued a doctoral degree in school psychology from Tulane University. She and her husband have two children who attend Tarvin Elementary. She has volunteered on site-based committees, the Special Programs Advisory Council, and the Parent-Teacher Association.

Leander ISD Honors School Board Recognition Month

Laura provides psychological services to children and families and serves as an adjunct assistant professor with Tulane University School of Medicine.

Leander ISD Board of Trustees Elected Officers
Place 1 – Currently held by Trish Bode (Term: Nov. 2022 – Nov. 2026)
Place 2 – Currently held by Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia (Term: Nov. 2022 – Nov. 2026)
Place 3 – Currently held by Nekosi Nelson (Term: Nov. 2024 – Nov. 2028)
Place 4 – Currently held by Anna Smith (Term: Nov. 2024 – Nov. 2028)
Place 5 – Currently held by Sade Fashokun (Term: Nov. 2024 – Nov. 2028)
Place 6 – Currently held by Laura Marques (Term: Nov. 2025 – Nov. 2026)
Place 7 – Currently held by Paul Gauthier (Term: Nov. 2022 – Nov. 2026)

Board: Elections | Leander ISD

Laura currently serves as the Place 6 trustee on the Leander ISD Board of Trustees. She was appointed in October 2025, and her term runs from November 2025 to November 2026.

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

I supported new high-quality instructional materials for K-3 phonics and elementary math. I have also been part of the board’s recommitment to evidence-based Professional Learning Communities as our engine for continuous improvement.

I supported new board goals and superintendent guardrails aimed at closing achievement gaps while also extending learning for our gifted and advanced learners. I supported new high-quality instructional materials for K-3 phonics and elementary math.

Every child in Leander ISD deserves a high-quality education, not just the ones whose path is straightforward. That means high standards that build creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, alongside strong support for students who need something different.

Priorities | Laura for LISD

Supported the board's recommitment to evidence-based Professional Learning Communities for continuous improvement.

Supported new instructional materials for kindergarten through third-grade phonics and elementary math.

Supports high academic standards that build creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

- Supported the board's recommitment to evidence-based Professional Learning Communities for continuous improvement.
- Supported new instructional materials for kindergarten through third-grade phonics and elementary math.
- Supports high academic standards that build creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

School Curriculum

In the face of the serious funding crisis for school districts across Texas, Leander ISD must be both fiscally responsible and innovative. I will continue advocating for eliminating inefficiencies with little impact on student experience, transitioning to operational models that reflect LISD's size as a large district, implementing proven educational frameworks and systems that improve outcomes and reduce costly interventions, and using innovative approaches that reimagine education delivery in ways that save money and improve results.

Leander ISD is navigating a wave of state legislation that chips away at local decision-making and comes with underfunding and unfunded mandates straining our budget. As a trustee, I will continue advocating for adequate and equitable funding and for the right of our community to make its own decisions.

Community partnerships with local businesses and community organizations are essential to fill resource gaps, create real-world learning opportunities, and prepare students for a rapidly changing workforce. Strong public schools make our community a better place for everyone.

Plans to reduce low-impact inefficiencies, update district operations, and use approaches intended to improve outcomes and lower intervention costs.

Plans to advocate for adequate and equitable school funding and local community decision-making.

Believes partnerships with local businesses and community organizations can address resource gaps and expand real-world learning opportunities.

- Plans to reduce low-impact inefficiencies, update district operations, and use approaches intended to improve outcomes and lower intervention costs.
- Plans to advocate for adequate and equitable school funding and local community decision-making.
- Believes partnerships with local businesses and community organizations can address resource gaps and expand real-world learning opportunities.

School Facilities & Resources

Our students must be prepared to be successful in a changing environment driven by technology. As a trustee, I will continue working with stakeholders to support policies that equip students with relevant tools while protecting healthy development, critical thinking, creativity, and human connection.

Plans to support technology policies designed to prepare students while protecting healthy development, critical thinking, creativity, and human connection.

- Plans to support technology policies designed to prepare students while protecting healthy development, critical thinking, creativity, and human connection.

Student Wellbeing

That vision depends on great teachers. I listen, amplify educator voices, advocate for reducing unnecessary burden, and support keeping great educators in our classrooms.

A VOICE FOR TEACHERS & STAFF

I understand the pressures educators face and am committed to supporting teachers. I also advocate for reducing unnecessary burdens and helping Leander ISD retain excellent staff.

Why I’m Running | Laura for LISD

Advocates for reducing unnecessary educator burdens and retaining effective teachers and staff.

- Advocates for reducing unnecessary educator burdens and retaining effective teachers and staff.

Teachers

As a Trustee, my work has focused on making sure every student has a sense of belonging and gets what they need to succeed, regardless of background or how they learn. I supported new board goals and superintendent guardrails aimed at closing achievement gaps while also extending learning for our gifted and advanced learners.

I am a strong proponent of public schools. My kids attend Leander ISD elementary schools, and I remain the only elementary parent currently serving on the board.

Every child in Leander ISD deserves a high-quality education, not just the ones whose path is straightforward. That means high standards that build creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, alongside strong support for students who need something different. I advocate for vital programs that serve diverse learners, including gifted programming, and for the board's goal of closing the gaps, because excellence means excellence for ALL.

Supported board goals and guidance from the superintendent to close achievement gaps and extend learning for gifted and advanced students.

Advocates for programs serving diverse learners, including gifted programs, and for closing achievement gaps.

- Supported board goals and guidance from the superintendent to close achievement gaps and extend learning for gifted and advanced students.
- Supports public schools.
- Advocates for programs serving diverse learners, including gifted programs, and for closing achievement gaps.

Access to Education

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Laura Marques

- Supports high academic standards that build creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

- Plans to advocate for adequate and equitable school funding and local community decision-making.
- Believes partnerships with local businesses and community organizations can address resource gaps and expand real-world learning opportunities.

- Advocates for programs serving diverse learners, including gifted programs, and for closing achievement gaps.

Mauricio Mendez

Alejandra Gracias

- 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. 