Joseph FergusonJoseph Ferguson

Email: [email protected] Website: www.votejoseph.com Joseph Ferguson is a former Tomball ISD student and teacher and has lived in the area since 1986. Ferguson has a master’s degree in education and is an assistant professor in the education department at Lone Star College-Montgomery.

What inspired you to run for the Tomball ISD school board?

I used to work for Tomball ISD as an administrator, and I really enjoyed working with the students and the teachers and the parents. When I got an opportunity to work for Lone Star College, the only reason I hesitated was because I didn’t want to leave Tomball ISD. It’s my home—I grew up here. After that I thought I can still be involved; I can volunteer at my son’s school; I can do these things. But I have a lot of background in education so I thought maybe I could do more.

What do you think are some of the biggest challenges in the district?

Probably how fast the district is growing. The district is doing a good job—I have no criticisms of anyone but I think there is a lot more growth coming. And we’ll need to make changes not because anything’s wrong, but just because as time passes the community changes. So I think I have a good background for helping Tomball ISD adapt to these things that are coming up.

If elected, what would be some of your top priorities are as a board member?

I would like to see probably an increase in transparency. I think the district does a good job. There is a check register online, but sometimes on there the descriptions are pretty vague. I’m sure it’s legitimate and I believe they are making an effort, just more transparency.

Lee McLeodLee McLeod

Email: [email protected] Website: www.facebook.com/mcleodforschoolboard Lee McLeod has lived in the area for 14 years and owns a Farmer’s Insurance agency. McLeod has four children in TISD schools and has previously served on the district’s Strategic Planning Committee and as a homeroom parent.

What inspired you to run for the Tomball ISD school board?

I have four children in the school district at this time, and have always had a love for public education. I come from a family of educators and saw this as a great opportunity to serve and assist as it moves forward. We’re big fans of Tomball ISD and really love the district.I’ve been involved on all the campuses my kids have been in, from everything from committee[s] all the way to homeroom dad. I just have a real heart for kids, for learning and for what public education can do, so I’m hoping to be a part of that.

What do you think are some of the biggest challenges in the district?

I would say the biggest challenge is managing the growth in the district and maintaining the resources and facilities [as well as] recruiting the best teachers available as these campuses grow. I’ve got three kids at Willow Wood, and that part of the district has grown so much, it’s at capacity. So I think that’s the most pressing issue.

If elected, what would be some of your top priorities are as a board member?

I love the direction the district is going in. There are some new things I love seeing—like the Great Expectations Character Development Program and the elementary and junior high schools. I would say [finding a way] to use technology in the most innovative way that prepares our students for college and career is a priority. And I think the district is doing some of that, but I’d love to see more of that and how technology can be used to benefit the student.

Matt SchielMatt Schiel

Email: [email protected] Website: www.facebook.com/matt4tisd A graduate from Tomball ISD's class of 1994, Matt Schiel lives in the Magnolia area with his wife and three children. Schiel works as a commercial appraiser with the Montgomery County Appraisal District and has lived in the area for over 40 years.

What inspired you to run for the Tomball ISD school board?

I’ve been thinking about it for the past two years. I have a junior in high school and a set of twins in sixth grade, so I’m more able to have the time to devote to it. My grandfather was a former [Tomball ISD] trustee, so it was something I wanted to do to perform my civic duty and hopefully make some quality impacts to the school district.

What do you think are some of the biggest challenges in the district?

School finance reform is going to be the biggest thing. We’re still in lawsuits and in the court to find out how this funding is going to play out, and hopefully in the next legislative session we have some answers or a better solution. [Due to recapture laws] we’re going to be giving [money] into the pot versus getting money from the state. We need to figure it out so the school districts are in control of their own finances and that way we can lower the tax rates without having to give or receive money [from the state].

If elected, what would be some of your top priorities are as a board member?

I’ve been talking to a lot of teachers and administrators and [a top priority is] just open communication throughout the district and open communication for everybody. Trying to help some of the tenured teachers on their pay [is also important]. Some of them are making the same [salary] level as a new teacher, so trying to help them out with pay or other means to give them more recognition from administrators and give them credit for staying in the district [is important]. My job should be, “How can I help you? What can I do to help you in your job or as a parent in the district? How can I help you have a better relationship and experience with Tomball ISD?”