Voters in Abilene, Texas will have the opportunity to elect representatives for the Abilene Independent School District (AISD) school board in the upcoming spring 2024 election. Among the candidates vying for a position on the board is Rodney Goodman, the incumbent for Place 2. Goodman has officially filed for re-election, seeking another four-year term.
Originally from Washington state, Goodman moved to Abilene for school and has called the community home for the past 40 years. He attended Abilene Christian University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.
Goodman recently retired from the Abilene Fire Department after serving the community for 35 years. During his tenure, he held the positions of trustee and chairman of the Abilene Firemen’s Relief and Retirement Fund for over two decades. Currently, Goodman works as the plan administrator for the organization.
Despite his retirement, Goodman remains an active member of the community. He serves as the Finance and Operations Director of the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, a role he has held since 2003. Additionally, he is a board member of the newly established Abilene Back the Badge Foundation.
Education holds a special place in Goodman’s heart, as his wife, Laura, is a teacher in the AISD. Furthermore, all three of their children have graduated from the district.
Goodman’s decision to run for re-election stems from his desire to see through the various initiatives that the district has started. One such initiative is the improvement of academic standards through the implementation of the Systems of Great Schools program. This long-term effort aims to elevate test scores and provide the best learning outcomes for all students.
Goodman also expressed his satisfaction with the successful addition of the LIFT program to AISD and his hopes for further expansion of Career and Technical Education programs.
If re-elected, Goodman plans to address the pressing issue of teacher shortages and morale within the district. Recognizing that this issue extends beyond AISD to the state and nation, he wants to be part of finding solutions to improve teacher morale and retention rates.
For those interested in filing for a place on the Abilene ISD school board ballot, the deadline is Friday, February 16, 2024. Applications can be submitted in person or by mail to 241 Pine Street, Abilene, Texas 79601. The school board election will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
As the election season approaches, Abilene residents will have the opportunity to choose their representatives on the AISD school board. Rodney Goodman, with his extensive community involvement and dedication to improving education, hopes to secure another term to continue his work for the benefit of Abilene’s students and teachers.
