For the first time in six years, the Victoria Independent School District (VISD) Board of Trustees District 7 will see a new representative. Three candidates have entered the running for the seat following the announcement that current District 7 representative and board president Mike Mercer will not seek re-election this May.
Josh Moore, Mickey Kostella and Christian R. West will all appear on the ballot for the District 7 seat on May 3, 2025. The candidates have made their platforms and goals known through online campaigning and media engagement.
Moore believes all students should have access to an education that presents them with challenges and opportunities for growth, allowing them to set forth on a path that leads to a successful future, according to a video posted to .
òòò½ÊÓƵœI believe every childòòò½ÊÓƵ™s future success begins with three core pillars, faith, family and a strong educational foundation. That third pillar is what Iòòò½ÊÓƵ™m going to be focusing on as a VISD trustee,òòò½ÊÓƵ Moore said.
Moore spent over 15 years working as an instructor and coach at Victoria College and the past three years as a construction manager. He has two children currently enrolled in VISD schools and a third who will enter kindergarten in the coming school year.
Family plays a major role in Mooreòòò½ÊÓƵ™s life and watching his children progress and grow through their education inspired him to enter the race for the District 7 seat in the VISD Board of Trustees, according to the video.
Kostella has a deep history with VISD. His father attended Crain Middle School and graduated from Victoria High School, according to . He himself attended DeLeon Elementary School and Rowland Elementary School, Howell Middle School, and graduated from Victoria High School.
Kostella has a child who is a senior at Victoria West High School and has been an approved volunteer with the district for the past four years. His sister Shannon has taught special education in VISD for 27 years, according to the website.
òòò½ÊÓƵœAs a long-time, dedicated member of the Victoria community and a parent of children in our public school system, I am running for school board trustee to address urgent challenges and build upon the progress made by the previous board,òòò½ÊÓƵ according to the website. òòò½ÊÓƵœEducation is the cornerstone of a thriving community, and my goal is to elevate Victoria Independent School District (VISD) to a standard of excellence that ranks alongside the top school districts in Texas.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Kostellaòòò½ÊÓƵ™s four main goals if elected to the VISD Board of Trustees are centered around excellence in education, community involvement, empowerment through policy reform and transparency in school governance. The full goal details can be viewed on his campaign website.
Westòòò½ÊÓƵ™s campaign platform is centered around fighting for VISD students, teachers and families and prioritizing life-skill education. He hopes to place an emphasis on preparing students for adulthood through the teaching of topics such as financial literacy, communication skills and professional development.
West has a teenage daughter and wants to ensure she, and students like her, have the foundation to become great assets to their community. He emphasized the importance of teaching life-skills both at home and school so students may get different perspectives from the adults in their lives.
òòò½ÊÓƵœOur community deserves leadership that listens and that cares and that will deliver,òòò½ÊÓƵ West said. òòò½ÊÓƵœI can do all of those now. I know what itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s like to be a teenager. I have an extensive background in security and anti-terrorism force protection from the military. I know what it was like to struggle in high school, dealing with peer-pressure, bullying and things that come with being a teenager.òòò½ÊÓƵ
VISD, schools and teachers should help guide students, communicate with them and intently listen to what they have to say as opposed to letting them navigate situations completely on their own, West said. If elected, West will look to ensure students at VISD donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t dread going to school, but instead feel safe, supported and inspired by their district.
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