Six candidates are competing for the Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) board of trustees Position 4 seat, an at-large position that represents every family in the district, including those in Missouri City and Stafford.

The Nov. 3 election features incumbent Dr. Shirley Rose-Gilliam, the current board secretary, facing five challengers: Robert Dombrowski, Rob Dominguez, Dan Mathews, Shirisha Mudhireddy and Eric Pursley. The winner will serve a three-year term.

Voter registration closes Oct. 5. Early voting runs Oct. 19–30.

The crowded field comes as FBISD navigates enrollment losses, school closures and new competition from the state's education savings accounts. Community Impact Newspaper published a Q&A with Position 4 candidates on Sept. 28, surfacing themes including academic performance, teacher retention, public engagement and how the district should respond to declining student numbers.

One candidate in the Q&A called for "excellence in every classroom" and said the board should hold town halls and listening sessions rather than limiting public input to board meetings. That candidate also said "every reasonable alternative should be evaluated before closing schools or adding capacity."

Those issues are not abstract. FBISD's enrollment peaked above 80,000 students in the 2023-24 school year and has fallen since, dropping by 1,588 students in the 2025-26 school year, the Houston Chronicle reported. The district closed seven elementary campuses in March, a move trustees said would save $5 million to $7 million annually as FBISD faces a possible $32 million budget deficit.

The Texas Education Freedom Accounts program, or TEFA, adds further pressure. FBISD saw 8,429 students apply for the voucher-style accounts for 2026-27, the third-highest total in the state. FBISD Deputy Superintendent Jaretha Jordan told Community Impact Newspaper the district expects to lose 700 to 1,100 students and between $7.8 million and nearly $12 million in funding.

As we reported Sept. 28, FBISD is launching seven new programs under its "Redesigned" initiative to retain and recruit students. The district is also expecting its smallest kindergarten class in 18 years.

Superintendent Marc Smith said at a July 20 agenda review meeting that the district is "responding in a very thoughtful manner" with "a very clear vision focused on our future."

Academically, FBISD earned an overall "B" rating from the Texas Education Agency in 2026, scoring 82 out of 100, up from 80 in 2025, the Houston Chronicle reported. About 60% of the district's 81 rated campuses earned an "A" or "B," according to the district's website.

Position 4 is one of three board seats on the Nov. 3 ballot. The board approved the election order at its July 27 meeting. Voters can find polling locations at fortbendisd.gov.