Retired teacher Ann Teich defeated incumbent trustee Christine Brister in Austin ISD District 3 in North Central Austin. The win was not a surprise, as Brister had suspended her campaign weeks ago, citing non-life threatening health issues.
With almost 10,000 votes counted, Teich led Brister 65 percent to 35 percent.
Teich says she will focus on the needs of the quickly growing campuses in her district. She has also expressed disappointment with some aspects of Superintendent Meria Carstarphen’s tenure.
“Such as [laying off] a lot of teachers, declaring financial exigency, inviting a charter school to take an AISD school,” Teich said in a pre-election interview. “I don’t think that was the way to go.” Teich says the school board showed “a lack of leadership” by approving those policies.
