Each year at this time, the nine Dallas ISD trustees face a somewhat contentious decision: Who will be board president?

Jack Lowe is favored to continue in the post for a third one-year term. Trustees are scheduled to meet today in regular session and vote for president and other board officers.

At least four trustees say they support Mr. Lowe remaining board president. If he votes for himself, as is likely, Mr. Lowe would provide the fifth vote he needs to win.

But the selection process typically isn't a smooth one. Race has been a factor, and this year promises to be no different.

Trustee Ron Price, who is black, said he'd like to see a minority in the president spot this time. Mr. Lowe is white.

"I think it sends a message to a 95 percent minority school district if they can see a minority as the board president," Mr. Price said.

A couple of trustees said Mr. Lowe has asked for their support.

"He told me what he wants to do, and why he wants to do it, and what he wants to accomplish," said trustee Jerome Garza, who plans to support Mr. Lowe.

"I think he's been a great leader."

Mr. Lowe, who is chairman of the board at TD Industries, a specialty construction company, said he has a lot to offer as DISD undergoes a major reformation. The board president helps the superintendent set the agenda and presides over board meetings, among other functions.

"What I like is trying to be helpful in transforming large organizations into great organizations," Mr. Lowe said.

Mr. Lowe has faced some scrutiny recently.

A couple of residents and trustee Carla Ranger publicly questioned his ethics at a board meeting in April after The Dallas Morning News reported that TD Industries received $9.6 million in payments from DISD since 2002. Mr. Lowe denies that the company profited from his being on the school board.

Mr. Lowe's supporters on the board, including Nancy Bingham, Leigh Ann Ellis, Edwin Flores and Mr. Garza, say he has been a good leader.

But Mr. Price, currently the longest tenured trustee, said he wouldn't mind being board president. He said demographics and race – more than anything else – play a part in who gets the position. History shows that white trustees who hail from northern Dallas, like Mr. Lowe, have better luck at getting the spot, Mr. Price said.

Since 1982, white trustees have held nine of the 13 board president positions, with all but one residing in northern Dallas, according to a Morning News review.

Hollis Brashear, who is black, held the post for two terms (1997-99 and 2003-04). Robert Hester, also black, held the post 1986-87. And Rene Castilla, a Hispanic, was president 1991-94.

"It's wrong," Mr. Price said of the racial breakdown of board presidents.

But Mr. Garza, who is Hispanic, said the board presidency shouldn't be decided by race.

"I can't look to the past," Mr. Garza said. "I look at where we are now, and where we're going in the future."