Sam Slaton, a former Argyle ISD board president who served nine years on the board, was sworn in Monday to fill the Place 7 trustee seat left vacant when Josh Westrom resigned in May.

The installation took place at a special board meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, completing a process that began when Westrom stepped down at the end of May without publicly stating a reason.

Slaton's return puts a veteran hand back on the board as the fast-growing district, which serves more than 6,500 students across campuses in Argyle and Flower Mound, heads into the new school year.

A familiar face returns

The board voted unanimously on July 14 to appoint Slaton after considering multiple candidates, including other former trustees. Board President Leigh Ann Artho called Slaton an excellent choice in the district's announcement, noting he served as board president for eight of his nine years (2017–2026) and could step in without the training period a new appointee would require.

Artho said the board had been hesitant to appoint anyone to what is normally an elected position, which led trustees to focus on former board members who could enter the role immediately as the school year approaches.

The board had weighed three options after Westrom's departure: calling a special election in November, appointing someone until the next regular election, or leaving the seat empty. A special election was ruled out due to cost.

What it means for Flower Mound families

Argyle ISD's boundaries include parts of Flower Mound, with the district's administration building located on Canyon Falls Drive. Slaton's appointment restores the board to its full seven-member complement ahead of a school year in a district that has built two new schools and has three more under construction.

Slaton will serve until the May 2027 election, when voters will choose a new Place 7 trustee to serve the remainder of the term through 2028.

How the vacancy happened

Westrom, who joined the board in 2022, resigned at the end of May. In an email to the Cross Timbers Gazette, he said he was leaving the district "well-positioned," citing a passed bond, more than 250 acres of purchased land, a long-range growth plan, and confidence in Superintendent Dr. Courtney Carpenter's leadership.

The remaining six trustees — Artho, Dr. Leona McDade, Matt Slaton, Rich McDowell, Frank Dixon, and Justin Ford — considered the vacancy at their June 15 regular meeting but deferred action to allow more time for candidate review.

The Place 7 seat will appear on the May 2027 ballot, giving voters the final say on who holds the position through 2028.