Candidates for Katy ISD Board of Trustees Position 1—incumbent Joe Adams, Tim Dietz and Wayne Dolcefino—spoke on a variety of topics, including board transparency and standardized testing, at a candidate forum April 23 hosted by the Katy Parents of Gifted and Talented Students.

In their answers each candidate carried specific themes and goals they have for the district. Dolcefino said he hopes to give the district a "communication makeover" to help improve transparency, Adams relayed his passion for the district and his position as well as a desire to lessen standardized testing, and Dietz said he wants to make a difference in the district where his children attend school.

"It's a great school district that could be better," Dolcefino said. "...I was a journalist for 30 years [and] I fought waste, fraud and corruption, and will do it again if I am elected to school board."

On the issue of standardized testing, all candidates had bones to pick with the system.

"At anytime in the district we can have 43 days of testing," Adams said. "I don't agree with it...but the law says we have to have tests, so we do them. I think we do too much testing."

Dolcefino said testing is a "colossal" waste of time, and that he believes students spend too much time testing and learning testing materials. He suggested board members educate the district on how they can speak out to government officials in attempts to fight for a different system.

Technology in schools is also a hot topic among districts as they attempt to keep up with trends in the classroom, and Adams said KISD does what it can to keep up with the ever-changing products.

"Anytime you introduce new technology into a classroom that takes away from how the teacher teaches, you are moving in the wrong direction," Dietz said in reference to a comment made about technology replacing the teacher. "[But] we need technology available to our students so when they graduate, they are not a step behind."

KISD board President Rebecca Fox also gave remarks although her position is uncontested.

Early voting begins April 29 and runs through May 7. Election Day is May 11. For voting times and locations, visit www.kisd.org.