Denton Wins HPISD Board Seat

Michael Denton Jr. has defeated Jon Altschuler in the race for Place 4 on the Highland Park ISD Board of Trustees.

Denton received 63.21% of the votes, or 3,027. Altschuler received 36.79%, or 1,762 votes, according to unofficial results.

Denton will replace Jae Ellis, who is leaving the board after six years of service. Click HERE to read Ellis’ response to People Newspapers’ questions about his achievements as a board member, decision not to run again, and future plans.

In a written statement, Denton said: “I am truly honored and humbled to have been elected to serve our community. This opportunity means a great deal to me, and I am committed to working diligently for the benefit of all students, teachers, staff, and families throughout the district. I look forward to collaborating with our fellow trustees and helping to continue and extend the board’s work for the benefit of every student. Together, we will make a positive impact on our schools and create an environment where every student can thrive.”

In a written statement, Altschuler congratulated Denton on running a strong campaign, and said that he and his wife, Lori, enjoyed being part of the election. He said that it had been rewarding to help identify and tackle some of the district’s most pressing challenges.

“What’s unique about a school board race is how we think about victory: it’s not about who wins or loses, but whether our teachers and students come out ahead. That’s the only outcome that matters.”

“Over the past eight weeks, we made ‘top teacher pay’ the defining issue of this election — on yard signs, online, in conversations across the district. The community responded, and so did the district, announcing the largest teacher pay raise in more than 15 years. It’s a big step forward — but it’s not enough. We must now be more innovative and urgent in how we use our increased resources. The state’s new funding formulas demand foresight, and if we don’t adapt now, we risk falling behind again on this critical issue.”

“I’m optimistic about the future of HPISD and confident we’ll make the most of the opportunities ahead,” Altschuler said in his statement.

Incumbent Bryce Benson ran unopposed for reelection to Place 3 and received 3,780 votes. In Place 5, incumbent Ellen Lee ran unopposed and received 3,812 votes.

For more election results, visit the Dallas County Elections Department website.