- Georgetown Independent School District
- Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees
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With more than 12,700 students as their primary focus, the Georgetown Independent School District is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees. Each board member serves the entire community without compensation for a three-year term of office. Elections are conducted annually in May.
The Board of Trustees governs the district by adopting policy and regulations. The key roles and responsibilities of the school board members are:- Hire and evaluate the superintendent and delegate all administrative responsibilities
- Approve the school district's budget
- Establish goals and evaluate outcomes
- Adopt and evaluate policies
- Communicate with the community
Click Board Member Name to See More
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Place 1 - James Scherer
James Scherer was elected to the Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees in May 2022 and currently serves as Board Trustee in Place 1.
James is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a serial entrepreneur. James is the current owner of multiple companies, including Austin Pallet Company and Golden Anchor Antifreeze. In addition, he has served our community and non-profits in various roles over the years.
James has lived in Georgetown since 2011 with his wife Crystal. They have two sons who attend Georgetown High School.
Email James at schererjames@georgetownisd.org.
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Place 2 - Elizabeth McFarland
ELIZABETH MCFARLAND,
BOARD PRESIDENT
Term: 2022-2025Elizabeth McFarland was elected to the Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees in May 2019, and currently serves in Place 2.
A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, Elizabeth earned a Bachelor of Science degree in History and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. She later studied law at the University of Texas, earning a Juris Doctorate, and then at the University of Florida, earning a Masters in Tax Law. Elizabeth founded McFarland Legacy Law in Georgetown and currently works as a business and estate planning attorney. She also serves in various leadership roles with several Georgetown-area civic and non-profit organizations.
Elizabeth has lived in Georgetown for 15 years with her husband, Stefan. They have 4 children who attend GISD schools.
Email Elizabeth at McFarlandElizabeth@georgetownisd.org
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Place 3 - Cody Hirt
Cody Hirt ,
Term: 2022-2025
Cody Hirt was elected to the Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees in May 2022 and currently serves as Board Trustee in Place 3.
Cody graduated from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Cody co-founded Mesquite Creek Outfitters, as well as The Golden Rule and the non-profit organization Veteran Outdoors, in Georgetown. In addition, he has served numerous non-profits in various roles over the years.Cody has lived in Georgetown since 2008 with his wife Jordana. They have 2 children who attend Ford Elementary and Benold.
Email Cody at hirtcody@georgetownisd.org
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Place 4 - Stephanie Blanck
STEPHANIE BLANCK
Term: 2020-2023Stephanie Blanck was elected to the Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees in November 2020.
A graduate of The University of Texas — Austin, Stephanie Blanck earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and social work.
Stephanie earned a master's degree in school psychology with an endorsement in educational leadership/mid-management from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos.
She has lived in Georgetown for 40 years with her husband, Michael. They have two adult children who both graduated from Georgetown High School. Stephanie has two grandsons that attend McCoy Elementary School and one grandson, who is a freshman at Georgetown High School.
Stephanie dedicated 30 years to public education, with 23 of those years at GISD, where she served as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP), campus administrator and director of special education prior to retirement.
Stephanie is currently the secretary for the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of the City of Georgetown, president of Texas Junior Forums, Inc., secretary of the Boys and Girls Club of Georgetown Board, an ambassador with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, and facilitator of the Leadership Georgetown program through the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce. Stephanie is the founder of the Chamber’s Junior Leadership Georgetown program for teens as well as the founder of the Exceptional Georgetown Alliance. Stephanie also serves as the District 5 representative on the City of Georgetown Ethics Board.
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Place 5 - Melanie Conner
MELANIE CONNER,
Vice President
Term: 2020-2023
Melanie Conner was elected to the Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees in May 2014 and currently serves as Vice President, Place 5.
Melanie graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, with a bachelor’s degree in English literature.
Melanie has 2 children who attend GISD schools.
Email Melanie at ConnerMelanie@georgetownisd.org -
Place 6 - Jennifer Mauldin
JENNIFER MAULDIN
Term: 2021-2024Jen Mauldin was elected to the Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees in May 2021, and currently serves as School Trustee Place 6.
As a graduate of The University of Texas, Jen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education. She then earned her Masters degree from Lamar University and post-graduate certifications from the University of Houston in Mid- Management and Superintendent. In 2013, after an extensive career in education as a Teacher, Educational Diagnostician,
Director of Special Education and Principal, Jen re-careered by obtaining her certification as a certified professional coach, and is currently practicing in that profession, largely doing transition and leadership coaching.
Jen has lived in Georgetown for 23 years with her husband, Stan. They have four grown children who live in Central Texas and in New York City.
Email mauldinjen@georgetownisd.org.
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Additional:
Jen actively supports five Georgetown nonprofit organizations: ROCK, Seeds of Strength, The Caring Place, The Georgetown Project and the Wilco Children’s Advocacy Center. In her free time Jen loves to garden, travel and spend time with their six grandchildren.
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Place 7 - Dr. Stephen Benold
STEPHEN BENOLD
Secretary
Term: 2021-2024Stephen Benold was elected to the Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees in May of 2021, and currently serves as Secretary, School Trustee Place 7.As a graduate of Rice University, Stephen earned a bachelor of arts degree with a double major in biology and economics. He then attended Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and received his MD degree. He was the first medical director of the Williamson County EMS, and served in that capacity for 32 years. After doing a family medical practice for 27 years, Dr. Benold received further postgraduate training and became a board certified financial planner, which is now his profession.
Stephen has lived in Georgetown all of his life, except for time away from schooling. He is married to Nancy Benold, a former GISD school board member. He and Nancy have 2 grown children. His daughter Amy is an Elementary school principal in Atlanta, Georgia and his son Jordan works with Stephen in Benold Financial Planning.------------------------Additional: Stephen is currently on the boards of The Chisholm Trail Community Foundation, The Georgetown Neurosciences Foundation and First United Methodist Church. He enjoys teaching, gardening, working at his ranch and traveling.
