Kids First,

Always.

About

VOTE MAY 3, 2025

Early Voting begins April 22, 2025

Meet Garrett

Garrett was elected to the Prosper ISD School Board in May 2022 and currently serves as the Place 6 Trustee. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Lyndi, for 15 years, and together they are the proud parents of three children—Parker (10), a fourth grader, Ryan (8), a second grader, and Eli (5), a kindergartener—all attending Stuber Elementary in Prosper ISD.

A 2008 graduate of Arizona State University, Garrett earned a Bachelor of Arts in Human Communication with double minors in Political Science and Business. After graduation, he began a career in financial services and now owns a small business in Prosper, where he serves many local families.

The Linker family moved to Prosper, Texas, in January 2021. As a man of faith, Garrett and his family are active members of Rock Creek Church in Prosper.

Voice

Why I’m Running for Re-Election

I ran for the Prosper ISD School Board three years ago to serve our community and make a difference. I committed to strongly advocating for our students and staff, supporting public education, and fostering an open and transparent line of communication with the community. Over my first term, I’ve worked hard to build relationships with community and state leaders, always prioritizing the best interests of our schools. I’ve met with thousands of families, students, and teachers, responding to your needs, ensuring your voices are heard, and always showing up for you.

As the Place 6 trustee, I bring a unique perspective to our board. I am the newest resident of Prosper ISD, which allows me to understand the motivations of many new families moving to our district. My involvement with local organizations like the Prosper Historical Society, Chamber of Commerce, and Rotary Club have deepened my appreciation for our community traditions. Having a trustee who can bridge the gap between tradition and new beginnings is a valuable contribution to our board. In addition, I am the only trustee who resides outside of Central Prosper. With nearly all our growth happening in the outer parts of our district, having a trustee who lives in that area is crucial. As trustees, we represent the entire district at large. However, having geographic diversity on our board only strengthens our ability to serve you.

Serving as a trustee has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I am ready to continue advocating for our students, educators, and families. As a husband, father, and small business owner with three children in our schools, I am deeply invested in Prosper ISD’s success. I humbly ask for your support and vote for my re-election, and I will continue working tirelessly to ensure our district thrives. I will continue to be the independent voice we need, and I will continue to show up for you, your children, our teachers, and staff.

I love you Prosper ISD. Let’s get this done!

Re-Elect Garrett Linker

PROSPER ISD SCHOOL BOARD | PLACE 6

Vision

Highlights and Accomplishments

Staff Recruitment and Retention

Supporting our employees has been a top priority during my time on the board. The past few years have been challenging for public education, but Prosper ISD remains a leader because of the incredible dedication of our staff. During my tenure, we’ve increased salaries annually, provided bonuses, and introduced non-monetary initiatives like mental health days, lunch monitors, and collaboration time to support our educators.

As a member of the advocacy committee, I am actively working with state representatives to increase the basic allotment, enabling us to pay staff a more livable wage. I’m also focused on advocating for fully funded state mandates and reimagining state testing and accountability processes. When teachers spend too much time on non-instructional tasks, it detracts from their passion and our students’ experiences. Meaningful reforms in these areas will benefit our educators, students, and community. If re-elected, I will remain committed to showing up, advocating for our staff, and ensuring they feel supported and valued. Our teachers and staff are the heartbeat of our district, and their well being is essential to Prosper ISD’s success.

Financial Stewardship

As a school board trustee, one of our most significant responsibilities is ensuring effective financial stewardship. Our role includes approving the budget, setting the tax rate, and overseeing the superintendent who manages all district operations. All of these responsibilities directly impact the trust we earn from our community. During my time on the board, we’ve successfully lowered the tax rate each year, most recently adopting the lowest rate Prosper ISD has seen in 20 years.

In a rapidly growing district, managing construction projects is a constant priority. One of my key focuses during my first term was increasing transparency through independent audits of these projects. I’m proud that our board approved this initiative last year, marking an important step toward greater accountability. While we have additional areas of improvement within this process, we have made some significant strides. With two years of experience on the finance committee, I’ve gained a solid understanding of the complexities of school finance and remain committed to ensuring that Prosper ISD manages taxpayer dollars responsibly while continuing to meet the needs of our growing community.

Ensuring Positive Student Outcomes

Our school board has consistently prioritized student outcomes and achievement. In the aftermath of the pandemic, we have seen steady improvements in academic performance, and while there's still work to be done, I’m proud of the progress our students have made. Prosper ISD offers a wide range of opportunities, including dual credit, honors, and AP courses, all designed to give our students a strong start as they graduate.

In addition to academics, we’ve placed a significant emphasis on enhancing the arts, athletics, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Through our CTE offerings, students can earn valuable certifications that provide them with a head start in their careers. For instance, starting this fall at Richland High School, we will offer a cosmetology program as part of our expanding CTE curriculum. These programs are a cornerstone of what makes Prosper ISD so exceptional, and I am fully committed to supporting their growth to ensure our students have the best possible opportunities.

Honoring Tradition

In Prosper ISD, we take pride in saying “Grounded by Tradition, Soaring to New Beginnings.” As our district grows rapidly, it’s more important than ever to honor the traditions that have shaped us. During my first term, we’ve opened seven new schools, with four more set to open this fall. I am honored to have helped recognize the legacy of namesakes such as Joyce Hall, Brenda Calhoun, Dan Christie, Daniel Jones, Betty Jackson, Jana Thomson, Virgie Smothermon, Pete Moseley, and Jim Bridges, as well as the Mahard, Harpole, Hardy, and Shackelford families—true pioneers of Prosper ISD.

As a trustee, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning about the rich history of our district from these namesakes. I’m incredibly grateful for their contributions to Prosper ISD, and I look forward to continuing to honor their legacies as we build for the future.

Endorsements

Debra Smith

Endorses Garrett Linker for Re-Election to the Prosper ISD School Board

“I worked alongside Garrett on the school board and have great respect for his approach. He was consistently prepared, thoughtful, and dedicated to doing what was best for the students and teachers of Prosper ISD. His balance and courage are invaluable to the board, which is why I am proud to endorse him for re-election.”

-Debra Smith, Former Prosper ISD School Board President