2026 Texas May Uniform Election

Courtney Anderson is from Spring Branch, Texas. She has a bachelor 27s degree in applied learning and development from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in Houston with her husband, John, and their three children. She is a Christian and attends a Methodist church.

Board of Trustees - Spring Branch Independent School District

District 1 candidate - Courtney Anderson

Courtney Anderson is from Spring Branch, Texas. She earned her bachelor 's degree in applied learning and development from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in Houston with her husband, John, and their three children. 

Courtney is a former teacher. She taught special education and third grade classes for ten years. She later worked as a procurement process manager at Perrin Projects. She is currently a stay-at-home mother.

Courtney Anderson - Ballotpedia

Courtney is a stay-at-home mother and former teacher. She taught special education and third grade classes in the Alief and Richardson Independent School Districts. 

Courtney is currently a member of the Spring Branch Independent School District school board, representing Position 1. She was elected in 2023 and is currently serving her first term.

For Candidate Courtney Anderson on Issue school-curriculum: Supports obtaining written parental consent (opt-in) before teaching courses such as Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL).

Supports obtaining written parental consent before teaching courses such as Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL).

- Supports obtaining written parental consent before teaching courses such as Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL).

School Curriculum

Supports live streaming, recording, and providing transcripts of official open meetings for public access.

- Supports live streaming, recording, and providing transcripts of official open meetings for public access.

School Facilities & Resources

For Candidate Courtney Anderson on Issue student-wellbeing:  
Opposes school officials being involved in the sexual transitioning of students, including the use of alternative names and pronouns.

Opposes school officials being involved in the sexual transitioning of students, including the use of alternative names and pronouns.

- Opposes school officials being involved in the sexual transitioning of students, including the use of alternative names and pronouns.

Student Wellbeing

Supports allowing licensed teachers to carry guns at school.

Believes that teachers who are licensed to carry firearms should be able to carry guns at school.

- Believes that teachers who are licensed to carry firearms should be able to carry guns at school.

Teachers

For Candidate Courtney Anderson on Issue education-access: Supports ensuring all students have access to quality education through public, private, charter, or homeschooling options, while emphasizing fiscal responsibility and parental choice.

Supports school voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools

- Supports school voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools

Access to Education

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Courtney Anderson

Jennifer Pike

Maxwell Schaffner

Graham Shirley

Believes that the loss of local control in education is too high a price to pay for federal funding.

Steven Smelley has a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston.

J. Steven Smelley - Ballotpedia

Steven Smelley is from Houston, and he has a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston. He is a father and grandfather. 

Steven is semi-retired and works as a substitute teacher. He has worked with Chevron Energy Solutions, Climatec Energy Division, Way Services Energy Division, Honeywell Education Division. He has also worked as a sales representative. 

J. Steven Smelley ran for Spring Branch Independent School District school board Position 6 in 2025 but did not win. He is currently running for Position 1 in 2026.

Steven ran for Spring Branch Independent School District school board Position 6 in 2025 but did not win.

iVoter Guide

Opposes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.

- Opposes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.

Believes it is in the Constitution of Texas to provide funding for Kindergarten through 12th grade.

- Believes it is in the Constitution of Texas to provide funding for Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Believes schools do not have a role to serve in helping a student with an unwanted or crisis pregnancy.

Supports consistent discipline to create a safe and orderly environment.

- Believes schools do not have a role to serve in helping a student with an unwanted or crisis pregnancy.
- Supports consistent discipline to create a safe and orderly environment.

As of April 22, 2026, Steven Smelley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Steven Smelley

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. 

Texas Trustee, Spring Branch ISD

Election results

Candidates (2)

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School Curriculum

School Facilities & Resources

Student Wellbeing

Teachers

Access to Education