Texas District 5 Education Board Election to Take Place

Voters will choose a board representative on November 3 to oversee future curriculum standards and state education funding.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Administration

Texas District 5 Education Board Election to Take Place

Live Poll

Should your local education board prioritize academic standards over political agendas in classroom curriculum?

Texas voters in District 5 will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to elect a representative for the State Board of Education. The outcome of this election is among eight board races determining the board composition and influence over state curriculum standards for the next two years.

Why it matters

The State Board of Education adopts academic standards and instructional materials, such as the Bluebonnet Learning curriculum approved in 2024. With $8.4 million now required to fix errors in those materials, the board's future voting balance is central to how Texas schools manage instructional resources and academic policies.

Eight of the 15 state education board seats are up for election, with current figures showing an 11-to-4 Republican majority. Fixing errors in the previously approved Bluebonnet Learning curriculum carries a cost of $8.4 million.

The players

Texas State Board of Education

The state body responsible for adopting K-12 curriculum standards, approving instructional materials, and managing the state's school fund.

Mica Arellano

The Republican candidate for the District 5 board seat who brings 30 years of experience as an educator.

Allison Bush

The Democratic candidate for the District 5 board seat who secured her position after winning a primary runoff election and has 25 years of experience in education.

The details

The State Board of Education establishes the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills curriculum standards and oversees the Texas Permanent School Fund. Additionally, board members vote on charter school approvals and the adoption of instructional materials. Candidates Mica Arellano and Allison Bush bring 30 and 25 years of education experience, respectively, to the race for the District 5 seat covering parts of Bastrop, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Hays, and Travis counties.

October 19, 2026: Early voting begins for the board election.
November 3, 2026: Election day for the State Board of Education seat.

The Home Front

This election marks a significant pivot point for the board's oversight of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards. Voters are choosing leadership that will influence future curriculum adoption processes and the management of state education funds.

Families with students in public schools should verify their district representative on the ballot to understand who will influence future curriculum adoptions. Monitor the board's official meeting outcomes after the election to see how the $8.4 million in curriculum fixes are prioritized and funded.

The takeaway

The composition of the state board determines which instructional materials enter the classroom and how budget deficits for curriculum errors are resolved. Voters in District 5 can review candidate platforms to see how each approaches the balance between academic standards and fiscal responsibility.