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Dianne Brown is set to continue serving the students, teachers and parents of Port Arthur Independent School District as a trustee.

Brown came in with 527 votes during the recent election and joins Taylor Getwood and Brandon Bartie in taking the oath of office at a coming school board meeting.

Brown isn’t new to the leadership role, having served from 2012 to 2015, then being reelected to the seat 2015 to 2018. She then was elected to the one-year unexpired term left by Rev. Donald Frank Sr., who left the school board when he earned a seat on Port Arthur City Council.

Brown ran for election to the seat for a number of reasons, one is to continue advocating for staff and children.

She realizes teachers are underpaid around the area and at one time PAISD teachers were the highest paid around — that is no longer true, she said.

But, she said, starting salary isn’t always a deciding factor to encourage teachers to come to or stay with the district.

Other factors such as location, administration and working conditions are factors.

“PAISD is working hard to make sure our district is one in which a person will like to teach at,” Brown said.

The district has built new schools and renovated existing schools, but there needs to be more for the staff to feel value and want to work in a district that ensures retention of well-trained teachers.

She also plans to be a vocal supporter to improve student outcome, increase parental involvement and enhance the overall quality of education in the district, she said.

Brown is retired, previously working for 25 years as a prekindergarten aide, office aide, classroom aide and warehouse supervisor aide in the district.

Last year she lost her husband, Charles.

She has two sons, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She is a member of St. James Catholic Church, Port Arthur Rotary Club, Port Arthur PTA, Port Arthur retired teachers group and PAISD retired secretaries group.