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Editor's note: This story has been updated to include all of the candidates' responses and photos.
On Nov. 5, voters will decide who will be elected to Position 5 of the Conroe ISD board of trustees.
The details
The current position is held by Theresa Wagaman, who was elected to the board in 2021. Wagaman decided not to rerun for her position, and her term will end Nov. 5. Kristin Guardino, Josh Webb and Lindsay Dawson are running for the seat.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
For more information about voting in Montgomery County, visit elections.mctx.org. For more election coverage, go to communityimpact.com/voter-guide.
Why are you running for Conroe ISD board of trustees?
To help build a brighter future of the children, teachers and district alike.
What qualifications do you think make you the best candidate?
CISD grad, multiple leadership roles, finance background, small business owner, father of three, husband of 12 years
What are the main challenges the district is now facing, and how would you plan to address them?
Budget deficit, controversial topics. Work with the state to address the budget issues. Stop trying to please everyone and do what is right for the children, teachers and district as a whole.
Are there any projects or policies you'd like to see introduced or changed in the district?
Not at this time
What are your suggestions for the district's legislative priorities for the legislative session beginning in January?
Figure out what we can do to push the state to give the district more funding. Also look over the budget as a whole to see if things can be adjusted on the district side as well.
Why are you running for Conroe ISD board of trustees?
The stakes are too high for our children to sit on the sidelines. With student learning outcomes declining, the threat to children’s safety increasing, parents’ voices being suppressed, and teachers leaving in droves, now is the time to get back to basics to successfully prepare children for adulthood.
What qualifications do you think make you the best candidate?
As a former CIA analyst and diplomat, I’m well-versed in analyzing complex problems and working with various stakeholders to craft robust policies. As a former financial auditor and small business owner, I will ensure fiscal responsibility of taxpayer dollars. I will reflect our community’s values as a servant-hearted leader.
What are the main challenges the district is now facing, and how would you plan to address them?
Student learning outcomes are declining as parents’ voices are being marginalized, teachers are leaving, and exponential student growth is straining already stretched resources. We must be proactive in preparing for growth while also maintaining a laser focus on the basics to ensure academic success.
Are there any projects or policies you'd like to see introduced or changed in the district?
Teachers are leaving the profession largely due to student discipline problems. Local discipline policies should be strengthened to empower teachers’ voices, ensure safety, and apply consistency in the application of policy across campuses. Teachers should be the final decision makers on whether to keep disruptive kids in the classroom, not administration.
What are your suggestions for the district's legislative priorities for the legislative session beginning in January?
I would advocate for Texas Education Code Chapter 37 reforms in Austin to give more local control over and tackle student discipline problems at CISD. I am also in alignment with Republican legislative priorities that focus on stopping the sexualization of Texas kids.
Why are you running for Conroe ISD board of trustees?
I am seeking election to Position 5 on the CISD board to serve children, families and the CISD. I have years of experience in management and complex problem-solving that will benefit and help CISD and prepare children to create a good future for themselves and others.
What qualifications do you think make you the best candidate?
I earned a BBA in economics with honors and a juris doctorate. I have managed highly complex litigation in involving fraud and serious injuries to children victimized by crime; represented families and elderly as an ad litem. My demeanor is calm, kind, solution-focused and thoughtful, daily and in crises.
What are the main challenges the district is now facing, and how would you plan to address them?
Our challenges are driven by population growth, diversity of backgrounds, awareness of curriculum expectations of students and parents in meeting their duties, obligations and available benefits of a public school education that propel children into good citizens and happy lives. We need to teach<br>leadership through kindness without embarrassment of…
Are there any projects or policies you'd like to see introduced or changed in the district?
My tenure will focus on serving Conroe’s citizens through conservative management and creating a vibrant, safe school system. I’d like to lessen political influences in classrooms; strengthen academics in philosophy/thought development, moral character, science and history in art pedagogy; and promote good citizenship, self sufficiency and physical well-being.
What are your suggestions for the district's legislative priorities for the legislative session beginning in January?
I support a legislative agenda protective of children, families and school administrators in pursuing a fine and life sustaining education that will enable good citizenship. I support intelligent and creative solutions along with financial management decisions that align with the needs of schools, children, school administrations and the budget.
