In May 2021, longtime Lewisville ISD educator and administrator Weldon “Buddy” Bonner secured a seat on the Lewisville ISD School Board where he currently serves as Board Vice President.
During his campaign, Mr. Bonner expressed his commitment to recruiting and retaining the best educators and administrators for Lewisville ISD.
Shortly thereafter, under Superintendent Williams’ leadership, Mr. Bonner was hired by Plano ISD to lead Employee Retention and Recruitment as Executive Director of Employee Services, where presumably he is being paid to recruit and retain the best educators and administrators for Plano ISD.
His commitment to recruiting and retaining the best employees for Lewisville ISD can be found in his own words.
“We also need to make sure that the district continues to hire exceptional staff members at all levels but particularly teachers and campus administration and folks that work supporting those individuals at the schools. Having those people in place will ensure that students learn and that people that are there that are compassionate and that want to have a relationship with students while they learn will be able to do so. It’s the district’s job then to support them, make sure that they’re compensated well, make sure that they’re treated correctly, make sure that there’s a great culture in place for performance so that teachers can teach and students can learn.”
– Buddy Bonner for League of Women Voters on March 31, 2021
“And lastly, I want to ensure that we have great staff and that we retain them. The district has enjoyed an 88% retention rate last year and since 2021 we have increased staff salaries 7% in order to keep great teachers and continue a culture of exceptionalism for our staff.”
– Buddy Bonner in Lewisville ISD Board Spotlight Video on October 19, 2023
At the same time that Mr. Bonner is busy dedicating himself to recruiting and retaining the best employees for Lewisville ISD, he is also employed by Plano ISD and paid by Plano ISD taxpayers to recruit and retain the best employees for Plano ISD.
So where do Mr. Bonner’s loyalties lie? Lewisville ISD is a neighboring and competing district that Plano ISD frequently compares itself to. It’s not possible to recruit and retain the best employees for both districts simultaneously.
Will Mr. Bonner work to recruit and retain the best employees for Lewisville ISD where he serves as Vice President of their School Board or for Plano ISD where he has been hired and paid to recruit and retain the best employees?
Will Mr. Bonner be poaching the best Plano ISD employees for Lewisville ISD?
This is what we call a conflict of interest. And shame on Superintendent Williams and the Plano ISD school board for allowing this to happen.
Educate Plano 