LISD Board Trustee Jim MacKay resigns

Leander ISD shared on Friday that Trustee Jim MacKay announced his resignation from the Board of Trustees.

The LISD board accepted his resignation on September 13 at a scheduled board meeting, where the Trustees will discuss the next steps to fill the vacancy. 

“We are sorry to hear about Trustee MacKay’s resignation,” Board President Trish Bode said. “He has been a valued member of our Board and I am sorry that he will not be continuing this journey with us, but we will respect his decision. We as a nation owe our servicemen and women, like Jim, a tremendous amount of gratitude and respect.”

Trustee MacKay started his service to the Leander ISD Board in November 2016. He won reelection to place 5 in November 2020. His term is set to expire in 2024.

MacKay has been involved with public education for nearly 30 years. He is a former Military Training Instructor in the United States Air Force Reserve and has been serving in a nearly full-time capacity since May 2014. Currently, MacKay has been working with a state task force regarding the COVID-19 response. 

During his time on the Leander ISD Board, the District passed a $454.4 million bond package to build four new schools. He has also served during the hiring and transition of a new superintendent, multiple consecutive years of decreasing property tax rates, and historic raises for Leander ISD teachers and staff.

Policy BBC (Legal) outlines the process for Trustee resignations.

MacKay bio

Jim MacKay was elected to the Leander ISD Board of Trustees in November 2016. MacKay has been involved with public education for nearly 30 years, serving in numerous capacities including the Campus Site Based Committee at Vista Ridge High School, School Health Advisory Committee, stadium announcer, booster club president, PTA President, boundary committee, camp counselor and more.

MacKay is a former Military Training Instructor in the United States Air Force Reserve and has been serving in a nearly full-time capacity since May 2014. Currently, MacKay serves as the First Sergeant for an Aircraft Maintenance Squadron based at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida. In this role, he is the senior-enlisted adviser to the commander on matters related to the health, morale, welfare, discipline and readiness of the unit. Prior to that role, MacKay served as a certified firefighter and medical first responder with the Texas Air National Guard. In his civilian role, MacKay is a Regional Sales Manager in the Public Safety industry.

MacKay continues his education at Southern New Hampshire University and holds degrees in Education and Training Management as well as Fire Science. He is also nearing completion of a degree in Human Resource Management from the Community College of the Air Force. Additionally, MacKay is a certified Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Coordinator, Suicide Awareness facilitator, Airman resiliency facilitator, and Master Resiliency Trainer. MacKay is a published author and is currently working on his first screenplay.

MacKay and his wife, Jan, live in Cedar Park and have an organic ranch where they raise chicken, turkey, duck and fish. They are preparing to bring an aquaculture farming operation online in the near future.

They have four children, two of which are graduates of Vista Ridge High School.