Rhonda Newhouse is running for re-election to the Spring Independent School District Board of Trustees, Position 5. The nonpartisan seat is on the Nov. 3 ballot. Kenneth Williams Jr. is also running for the position.

Newhouse, the incumbent, was first appointed to fill a vacancy in Position 5 in July 2014, according to the Houston Chronicle. She was elected to the seat in November 2014 and re-elected in 2017. Her 2020 and 2023 races were uncontested and canceled due to lack of opposition, according to Community Impact.

Asked why she is seeking re-election, Newhouse said in our questionnaire: "I am seeking re-election on the Spring ISD Board to continue our work on improving academics, campus safety, teacher retention and fiscal responsibility. My goal is to provide the best education for every student in our district. Also to support our teachers and retain good teachers."

Candidate information

Occupation and work history: "I am a retired educator after 34 years of teaching, counselor, principal and administration in secondary education. After working in the secondary education field, I worked at the university level as a supervisor for teachers, counselors and principals. I am now a full-time volunteer for my school district, church and several boards," Newhouse said in our questionnaire.

Education: Newhouse listed her education in our questionnaire as: "Bachelor of Arts in Education from Prairie View A&M University. Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Washington. Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Southern University … Texas Association of School Boards Certification."

Family: "Mother of two daughters and two sons-in-law. One daughter being head of a school district elsewhere. Grandmother of five grandchildren," Newhouse said in our questionnaire.

Party affiliation: "As a school board member for Spring ISD I consider myself to be non-partisan as I support whatever is best for our students and schools," Newhouse said in our questionnaire.

Experience and public service

Newhouse has served as president of the Spring ISD Board of Trustees, according to Community Impact. She has also served on the Spring ISD Education Foundation board of directors and the Spring ISD Business and Community Advisory Committee.

Asked about previous and current offices, Newhouse said in our questionnaire: "I am presently serving on the Spring ISD Board of Directors and the Spring ISD Foundation Board of Directors. I just completed this month my term on the State of Texas Rural Communities, Inc. Board of Directors."

On the issues

Asked what sets her apart from other candidates, Newhouse said in our questionnaire: "The most critical difference is my EXPERIENCE in this position and in education. My work with students, teachers and school districts across the State of Texas. My work in education in the states of Washington, Louisiana and California. My work on the university level in the field of education that required me to travel across the state to meet and work with educators in other districts."

Asked about accomplishments that show she can handle the job, Newhouse said in our questionnaire: "I have served as President of the Spring ISD Board of Directors that provided me with a numerous amount of training in many areas. The academic growth in the Spring ISD district has increased tremendously in the past year and the school board played a large part in providing the necessary materials to make this happen."

Candidate responses were collected through a Surround Sound News questionnaire and may be lightly excerpted for clarity. Answers represent the candidate's own words and claims.