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 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 November 6, 2026, Pamela Mathai’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Student Wellbeing

Teachers

Access to Education

Facebook

Instagram

Pamela Mathai

Buket Urgen

Cynthia Soliz

- 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. 