In the running for Pampa ISD School Board is Kaleb Snelgrooes, a Pampa native whose heart bleeds green and gold, and is passionate about serving the community he loves and helping contribute to the success of future generations through education.
Kaleb is a 2000 graduate of Pampa High School, and after obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Science, Kaleb came back to his roots in Pampa and spent 15 years teaching and coaching at the middle school and high school.
During Covid, he would go on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Education Administration, as well as take over ownership of T-Shirts & More, a beloved Pampa staple that carries as much pride in its town as the owner does.
Both Kaleb and his wife are involved heavily in the community, with Kaleb also having served more than 10 years on the Optimist Club board and his wife working as an Assistant Principal at Travis after having been a teacher for many years.
With his combined education and business experience, Kaleb has gained a better and more in-depth understanding of how those who work behind the scenes on the school board make decisions on behalf of the district, maintaining a balance of what is both good for the students and the community as a whole.
“Being a teacher and a coach, you know education and you know the inner workings of it,” Kaleb said. “Getting out and being a business owner, you learn how the business side of the district, such as the budgets, bids and the bonds and the grant systems-it has truly opened my eyes to how that all works.”
Kaleb is excited about the great things happening for the schools in Pampa and has no desire to try to change anything, but only to be a part of it and help keep the momentum going.
“I don’t have an agenda. My platform is to keep our kids and every Harvester the main priority. We want every kid to be successful in every aspect. There is nothing right now that I see where I can say, ‘that’s a problem and that needs to be changed.’ Our board has people who are like-minded and business-minded and I think you need that to keep things going.”
Kaleb understands that the topic of education can be a hot one and not everyone may always agree with what decisions the board makes, but he also understands that embracing change can be difficult and while the effects of it may be unpleasant at first, the reward of it will be felt for generations. Such as the case with the demolition and construction at the high school; the renovations are expected to last at least five or six years, but the end product will be a tremendous asset to both students and teachers.
“The investment within that five years is going to be for our kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.”
“Is it going to be great for Pampa, Texas? Absolutely. From what we’re coming from to where we’re going, it’s going to be unbelievable.”
“Change is good, but sometimes change is hard. I feel like our board and our leadership is doing the best they can with what they have. I want to be a part of that and it’s exciting to think about.”
When asked why he believes he would be a good contribution to the school board, Kaleb’s hometown pride and desire to help lead Pampa’s youth into a successful future stands at the forefront of his candidacy.
“I have 15 years of boots on the ground. I’ve done it, I’ve lived it, and I’ve went to these schools and taught at these schools and my kids are going to these schools. Pampa ISD is all I know, and I’m just really excited to say this is who I am and this is where I want to be.”
“My campaign slogan is Education-Family-Community and I think that covers it all. All of us here in Pampa are intertwined. We’re here, we’re a community, we’re all one.”
Early voting will begin on April 22 through April 29 in the Pampa ISD Administration building, located at 1233 N. Hobart, between 8 AM and 5 PM. Election day is May 3 at MK Brown between 7 AM and 7 PM.
