http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/local/43495922.html

BISD's Thomas accused of improperly campaigning for Trustee candidate
By EMILY GUEVARA
April, 22, 2009 A candidate for the Beaumont Independent School District Board of Trustees alleges that Superintendent. Carrol Thomas, his assistant and another administrator have improperly campaigned in support of her opponent.

Linda Gilmore, candidate for Beaumont ISD's Board of Trustees District 4, alleged in a letter to Thomas that he and his assistant Jessie Haynes have "actively campaigned and solicited contributions" to support the campaign of her opponent, incumbent Howard Trahan.

Gilmore's letter states a copy was sent to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and Texas Ethics Commission Director David Reisman.

In the letter dated April 21, Gilmore said she intends to "pursue every avenue under the law" to hold Thomas and Hayes responsible for their actions.

Thomas did not return calls to his home and cell phone for comment.

Haynes denied the accusations.

"I know that I have not actively campaigned in a school or campaigned for anybody," she said by phone.

In the letter, Gilmore also said that Thomas instructed David Harris, assistant superintendent for secondary schools, to address the Beaumont Black Baptist Ministerial Alliance to "encourage them to vote for Howard Trahan . . ."

In the letter, Gilmore said she was present at the start of the meeting and addressed the group as well.

Harris, who spoke with The Enterprise by phone Wednesday, said he did answer questions about he upcoming election at the ministers' meeting Tuesday but did not mention Trahan by name.

"I support answering questions and encouraging people to get out (and vote) and they can make their own decisions," Harris said.

Harris said about 40 people attended Tuesday's meeting, which was held at a church on Hollywood Street.

He said he knows Gilmore and did not know she was present at the meeting.