Leslie Martone, Michelle Fennick and Justin Ray are running for the Position 3 seat. Get to know these candidates below.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 60 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.
Leslie Martone
Experience:
CFISD graduate, parent of two CFISD students, taxpayer, community leader, certified in organizational management, served on six boards in Cy-Fair
Occupation:
president of the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce
Candidate Website:
https://www.all4cfisd.com
Why are you running for the Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees, and why are you the best candidate?
I am running for school board to continue the legacy of excellence in our school district. I want to keep our student achievement top of mind as we come out of a global pandemic, retain quality teachers and keep our parents involved at all levels.
What are the biggest issues Cy-Fair ISD is currently facing, and how would you address them?
The funding formula for school districts is outdated and needs to be fixed to fund our public education. … I want to explore ways to keep our teachers in CFISD and to continue to foster an environment for education, innovation and growth for our students. I [would form] a task force of teachers to hear their concerns and find a solution.
What does student success mean to you, and how should it be measured?
I feel that every student has a path to success, and it looks different for each student. By offering accommodations to allow students to overcome unique challenges and capabilities, we expand successful outcomes. While the state has provided a tool that they feel is an effective way to measure success, our job … is to inspire, educate and encourage our students to … also achieve broader success.
Are there any parts of the district’s budget you feel are overfunded and/or underfunded? What are your top priorities when it comes to the district's finances?
The basic allotment from the state for funding operational expenses (teacher salaries) is inadequate. CFISD offsets this by having one of the lowest administrative costs (3%) in our region. Another measure of efficiency is how in [Title 1] schools, … the district was intentional about not limiting the position funded to serving only the economically disadvantaged students. My top financial priority is to stay fiscally responsible.
What changes do you believe need to be addressed at the state level regarding public education?
I believe our leaders in Austin need to look at a reasonable solution that would meet the needs of any school district when it comes to funding. We have many experts in school finance that I am sure would be happy to help advise on ways to fix this funding challenge.
If you could change one district policy, what would it be and why?
I will work with the board and administration on any changes to policy, ensuring policies remain in compliance with state law.
Michelle Fennick
Experience:
With over three decades of experience, I've engaged with educators, collaborated with the community, and effectively managed large education budgets.
Occupation:
educational consultant
Candidate Website:
https://www.about.me/votefordrmichelle
Contact Information:
832-721-9590
Why are you running for the Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees, and why are you the best candidate?
I'm running for the Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees to leverage my 30-plus years of experience in education and budget management. As the best candidate, I'll advocate for equity, teacher support, and innovation.
What are the biggest issues Cy-Fair ISD is currently facing, and how would you address them?
Cy-Fair ISD faces challenges in teacher retention, technology integration and student safety. My plan includes mentorship programs, AI training and enhanced security measures to address these issues.
What does student success mean to you, and how should it be measured?
Student success means fostering holistic growth. It's measured not only by academic achievements but also by social, emotional and critical thinking development. Well-rounded individuals are the true measure of success.
Are there any parts of the district’s budget you feel are overfunded and/or underfunded? What are your top priorities when it comes to the district's finances?
I believe some areas of the budget might need rebalancing. Teacher training and classroom resources deserve increased funding, while administrative overhead could be streamlined to maximize resources for students.
What changes do you believe need to be addressed at the state level regarding public education?
At the state level, advocating for fair and sufficient education funding is crucial. Additionally, addressing standardized testing's impact on curriculum and promoting teacher professional development would enhance our education system.
If you could change one district policy, what would it be and why?
If I could change one district policy, it would be to enhance community involvement. Collaborative policies would ensure that students, parents and educators have a voice in shaping our educational landscape.
Justin Ray
Experience:
former mayor of Jersey Village, Cy-Fair Education Foundation volunteer and school volunteer
Occupation:
business development
Candidate Website:
https://www.justinrayfortexas.com
Contact Information:
832-819-0466
Why are you running for the Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees, and why are you the best candidate?
I am running to protect and preserve this great school district that my kids are currently enrolled in and that I am a proud graduate of. My years as the mayor of Jersey Village give me key insight in how to implement bold initiatives, deliberate within an elected body and work collaboratively with staff to provide services to a constituency.
What are the biggest issues Cy-Fair ISD is currently facing, and how would you address them?
The biggest issue Cy-Fair ISD faces is increased competition from other educational options for families. To strengthen its value proposition to district parents, CFISD needs to recommit to improved student academic outcomes, resisting the politicization of curriculum, school safety for both students and teachers, and fiscal responsibility.
What does student success mean to you, and how should it be measured?
Student success is measured in the proficiency of the skills required by an ever-increasing competitive global workforce. The core skills of reading and mathematics are as important as ever for a career in the 21st century. The success of a school district in teaching those skills can be measured by student test scores.
Are there any parts of the district’s budget you feel are overfunded and/or underfunded? What are your top priorities when it comes to the district's finances?
From 2019-20, CFISD construction costs have increased by 35%. That’s in no small part due to the dramatic inflation affecting the construction industry. In light of these increasing costs, CFISD needs a thorough review of its long-term construction plans and required revenue to ensure a reasonable property tax impact on the Cy-Fair community.
What changes do you believe need to be addressed at the state level regarding public education?
School districts will continue to see increased budgetary pressures mainly due to a significant rise in costs. The state of Texas needs to revisit the student basic allotment amount to bring it closer to the rate of inflation. If this disparity continues, school districts across Texas will have to make difficult budget cuts affecting their ability to provide important services.
If you could change one district policy, what would it be and why?
School districts across the nation report a significant increase in student classroom disruption, verbal disrespect and physical confrontation with teachers. Students cannot learn in chaotic and unsafe environments. CFISD needs a thorough review of its Student Code of Conduct to ensure it can adequately tackle this growing issue and utilizes all the disciplinary tools available.
