Meet the candidates for Conroe ISD position 2

Why are you running for this position?

I’m running as a former CISD teacher and Oakridge‑feeder parent to remove the political noise, rebuild trust, support educators, advocate for proper school funding, and ensure every voice in our district feels heard and represented.

What are the biggest challenges facing this district?

Our biggest challenge is securing adequate state funding while rising costs strain operations. We must advocate aggressively for proper funding, closely examine non‑instructional spending, and strengthen district culture to retain talented educators who are essential to student success.

Do you have any thoughts on how Conroe ISD can address the growing special ed student population?

We must close the state funding gap and ensure our specialized staff feels supported and valued. Adequate funding and strong retention efforts are essential to meeting the needs of our growing special education population and delivering the services students are entitled to.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas education in the next 5 years?

Sustaining public schools through rising operational expenses while state funding lags behind. Our district must lead the charge for legislative funding reform in Austin while maintaining fiscal discipline to protect classroom instruction and staff retention.

What can the district improve on when it comes to supporting teachers both in and outside the classroom?

Teacher morale, retention, and compensation must be prioritized. Competitive pay, strong instructional resources, meaningful teacher input, and a culture of professional respect are essential to ensuring educators feel valued both inside and outside the classroom.

What steps can Conroe ISD take to prevent budget shortfalls in the future?

Conroe ISD must monitor financial trends proactively, advocate for state funding reform, scrutinize non‑instructional expenditures, and direct available dollars toward classrooms and staff support to maintain long‑term financial stability.

Why are you running for this position?

I am running because my children are students in this district. I care deeply about their education and future. Our district needs thoughtful leadership to address its budget challenges. With my financial background and experience serving in district PTOs, I understand what our schools need and how to prioritize resources.

What are the biggest challenges facing this district?

The biggest challenge is the budget. The board needs stronger financial experience and must prioritize teacher pay and retention. Great teachers create great classrooms. CISD also needs a more collaborative, transparent board. My PTO board experience and NACD Directorship Certification prepare me to work with diverse stakeholders toward shared goals.

Do you have any thoughts on how Conroe ISD can address the growing special ed student population?

CISD’s special education crisis affects every student. The district shifted money from other programs to cover required services, yet special education students still are not receiving everything they need. I will use my advocacy experience in oil and gas to fight in Austin for funding that serves all students fairly.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas education in the next 5 years?

The greatest challenge for Texas education will be adjusting to vouchers and the funding they pull from public schools. Districts will have to compete for families by making sure students are getting a strong education, teachers are supported, and parents see real value in keeping their children in public schools.

What can the district improve on when it comes to supporting teachers both in and outside the classroom?

CISD can better support teachers by restoring discipline, reducing unnecessary paperwork, protecting planning time, and providing strong classroom resources and administrative support. The district must also prioritize meaningful raises through effective budgeting and stop wasting money on pet projects that do not directly support teachers, classrooms, or student learning.

What steps can Conroe ISD take to prevent budget shortfalls in the future?

CISD needs to end the appearance of “buddy contracts” and return to competitive RFPs. Legal expenses have quadrupled while the board relies on its private attorney. Major contracts should be openly bid, compared, and justified. Stronger procurement, transparency, and disciplined budgeting are essential to preventing future shortfalls.

Why are you running for this position?

I spent 20+ years as a CFO, COO, and President answering to owners for every dollar. Conroe ISD faces shortfalls, flat enrollment, and campuses built for growth that has not come. The conservative board elected in 2024 has started the turnaround. I want to help finish it.

What are the biggest challenges facing this district?

First, prior leadership budgeted for enrollment and property-value growth that never arrived, leaving a shortfall and new schools opening into a flat district. Second, results are uneven: same curriculum, same funding, yet some campuses rose and others slipped. Third, families have choices now, and the district must earn every student.

How can Conroe ISD address the growing special ed population?

Special education is a legal and moral obligation, and one of the fastest-growing costs in Texas. The answer is delivering it well: recruit and keep qualified special education staff, identify needs early before they become expensive, and track outcomes and costs so money reaches students, not paperwork.

Greatest challenge for Texas education in the next 5 years?

Competition. Private schools, homeschooling, and education savings accounts give families more options, and funding follows the student. Districts that assume enrollment is guaranteed will keep facing shortfalls. Winners will treat parents as customers: strong reading and math, orderly campuses, real trade pathways, and transparency. Conroe ISD must decide to compete.

How can the district better support teachers?

Get out of their way. Inventory every requirement placed on teachers beyond instruction and justify each one. Back them on discipline; a teacher who cannot keep order cannot teach. Put parent volunteers to work. When budgets tighten, protect classroom pay before central office positions. Teachers need time, support, and respect.

What steps can Conroe ISD take to prevent future budget shortfalls?

Honest assumptions. This shortfall came from projecting growth that did not happen, so start with conservative forecasts stress-tested against the downside. Staffing must follow actual enrollment. Zero-based budget review beginning with central administration, not classrooms. Fill the buildings we own before building more. Plain-language reporting so problems are seen coming.