Gadsden ISD superintendent outlines responsibilities, deadlines for school board candidates

Superintendent Dempsey of Gadsden Independent School District on Wednesday reviewed the duties, time commitments and legal obligations prospective school board candidates must meet, and highlighted key dates for the November election.

Dempsey told an audience of prospective candidates and community members that three board seats — Districts 2, 4 and 5 — are open and encouraged anyone considering a run to “envision yourself here,” stressing the importance of being informed about policy, budget timing and ethics rules.

The presentation focused on why people run for school boards and what the job entails. Dempsey said board members set policy, approve budgets and evaluate the superintendent, while daily operations remain the superintendent’s responsibility. He warned that the role requires time and occasional personal expense and described expectations including near-regular attendance at meetings: “There’s 19 regular board meetings scheduled between now and June 2026,” he said.

Dempsey emphasized statutory transparency requirements and conflict-of-interest rules under New Mexico law. "The Open…