With more than 13,500students as their primary focus, the Georgetown Independent School District is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees. Each board member serves the entire community without compensation for a three-year term of office. Elections are conducted annually in May.
The Board of Trustees governs the district by adopting policy and regulations. The key roles and responsibilities of the school board members are:
- Hire and evaluate the superintendent and delegate all administrative responsibilities
- Approve the school district's budget
- Establish goals and evaluate outcomes
- Adopt and evaluate policies
- Communicate with the community
- Place 1 - James Scherer
- Place 2 - Elizabeth McFarland
- Place 5 - Anthony Blankenship
- Place 3 - Cody Hirt
- Place 4 - Stephanie Blanck
- Place 6 - Jennifer Mauldin
- Place 7 - Stacy McLaughlin
Place 1 - James Scherer
JAMES SCHERER
BOARD PRESIDENT
Term: 2022-2025
James Scherer was elected to the Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees in May 2022 and currently serves as Board Trustee in Place 1.
James is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a serial entrepreneur. James is the current owner of multiple companies, including Austin Pallet Company and Golden Anchor Antifreeze. In addition, he has served our community and non-profits in various roles over the years.
James has lived in Georgetown since 2011 with his wife Crystal. They have two sons -- one Georgetown High School sophom*ore and one Georgetown High School graduate.
Email James at schererjames@georgetownisd.org.
Place 2 - Elizabeth McFarland
ELIZABETH McFARLAND
VICE PRESIDENT
Term: 2022-2025
Elizabeth McFarlandwas elected to the Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees inMay 2019, and currently serves in Place 2.
A graduate ofthe United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, Elizabeth earned a Bachelor ofSciencedegree inHistory and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. She later studied law at the University of Texas, earning a Juris Doctorate, and then at the University of Florida, earning a Masters in Tax Law. Elizabeth founded McFarland Legacy Law in Georgetown and currently works as an attorney with Sneed, Vine and Perry Law. She also serves in various leadership roles with several Georgetown-area civic and non-profit organizations.
Elizabethhas lived in Georgetown for15years withherhusband,Stefan. They have four children.
EmailElizabethatMcFarlandElizabeth@georgetownisd.org
Place 5 - Anthony Blankenship
ANTHONY BLANKENSHIP
Term: 2022-2025
Anthony is a U.S. Army veteran who served both as an enlisted soldier and later as a commissioned officer.
Anthony earned a bachelor's degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design - then years later - returned to school to earn a health science degree in diagnostic radiography.
In 2020, he released a book on healthy family leadership. His book has gone on to win several literary awards.
A resident of Georgetown for more than 20 years, Anthony joins the board with the full support of his wife, Sarah. They have been married for 22 years and have two children who will graduate from East View High School in the classes of 2026 and 2028, respectively.
Email: blankenshipanthony@georgetownisd.org
Place 3 - Cody Hirt
CODY HIRT
Term: 2022-2025
Cody Hirt was elected to the Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees in May 2022 and currently serves as Board Trustee in Place 3.
Cody graduated from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Cody co-founded Mesquite Creek Outfitters, as well as The Golden Rule and the non-profit organization Veteran Outdoors, in Georgetown. In addition, he has served numerous non-profits in various roles over the years.
Cody has lived in Georgetown since 2008 with his wife Jordana. They have 2 children who attend Ford Elementary and Benold.
Email Cody at hirtcody@georgetownisd.org
Place 4 - Stephanie Blanck
STEPHANIE BLANCK
SECRETARY
Term: 2023-2026
Stephanie Blanck was elected to the Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees in November 2020 and re-elected for a second term in 2023.
A graduate of The University of Texas — Austin, Stephanie Blanck earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and social work.
Stephanie earned a master's degree in school psychology with an endorsem*nt in educational leadership/mid-management from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos.
Shehas lived in Georgetown for 40 years with her husband, Michael. They have two adult children who both graduated from Georgetown High School. Stephanie has three grandsons at Forbes Middle School and Georgetown High School.
Stephanie dedicated 30 years to public education, with 23 of those years at GISD, where she served as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP), campus administrator and director of special education prior to retirement.
Stephanie is currently the secretary for the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of the City of Georgetown, president of Texas Junior Forums, Inc., secretary of the Boys and Girls Club of Georgetown Board, an ambassador with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, and facilitator of the Leadership Georgetown program through the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce. Stephanie is the founder of the Chamber’s Junior Leadership Georgetown program for teens as well as the founder of the Exceptional Georgetown Alliance. Stephanie also serves as the District 5 representative on the City of Georgetown Ethics Board.
Email:BlanckStephanie@georgetownisd.org
Place 6 - Jennifer Mauldin
JENNIFER MAULDIN
Term: 2024-2026
(Second Term)
Jen Mauldin was elected to the Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees in May 2021, and currently serves as School Trustee Place 6.
As a graduate of The University of Texas, Jen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education. She then earned her Masters degree from Lamar University and post-graduate certifications from the University of Houston in Mid- Management and Superintendent. In 2013, after an extensive career in education as a Teacher, Educational Diagnostician,
Director of Special Education and Principal, Jen re-careered by obtaining her certification as a certified professional coach, and is currently practicing in that profession, largely doing transition and leadership coaching.
Jen has lived in Georgetown for 23 years with her husband, Stan. They have four grown children who live in Central Texas and in New York City.
Email mauldinjen@georgetownisd.org.
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Additional:
Jen actively supports five Georgetown nonprofit organizations: ROCK, Seeds of Strength, The Caring Place, The Georgetown Project and the Wilco Children’s Advocacy Center. In her free time Jen loves to garden, travel and spend time with their six grandchildren.
Place 7 - Stacy McLaughlin
Stacy McLaughlin
Term: 2024-2026
Stacy began her career with the Texas Facilities Commission in 2004 and continued with the US Army Corps of Engineers from 2008 to 2021, working in various business administrationroles. She returned to school at thirty-nine to finish a bachelor’s degree in human resource management. Stacy graduated in December 2023. In February 2021, she was afforded the opportunity to change her “full-time work” to volunteering in various roles within Georgetown ISD. Stacy is in her seventh year serving on the Chase the Chief 5k and Family Fun Run committee and her first year as a board member for the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center.
Stacy and her husband, Morgan, have been married for thirteen years. Stacy has lived in Georgetown for sixteen years, and her husband Morgan has lived in Georgetown for forty-three years. Morgan is a graduate of Richarte High School, Class of 1999. Morgan and Stacy have two sons, a 2022 graduate of GHS and a middle schooler at Benold. In her free time, Stacy enjoys watching her sons pursue their passions, watching her middle schoolergrow as an athlete on the basketball court, attending CrossFit classes, and spending time with her three dogs, one cat, and two donkeys.
