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Eleven candidates are competing for one of four Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees positions in the Nov. 7 election.
Frances Ramirez Romero and Christine Kalmbach are running for the Position 4 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.
Why are you running for the Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees, and why are you the best candidate?
I am running to ensure a high-quality education to all students at all our campuses, a safe and welcoming environment for students and staff, and a continued high-achieving, A-rated school district. Expanding on the “Opportunity for All” model that provides all students access to the same educational opportunities at every campus is how I see Cy-Fair ISD maintaining its excellence. …
What are the biggest issues Cy-Fair ISD is currently facing, and how would you address them?
1) The need for more parental involvement in students’ education and (2) student discipline at school. I want parents to know their involvement in their child’s education is something that has always been encouraged and even codified in statute. … I would also like to incorporate more access to counseling services as a preemptive measure to decreasing the number of serious discipline issues. …
What does student success mean to you, and how should it be measured?
Student success looks differently for every pupil. There are many types of students who learn in different ways and at a different pace. Aptitude, pace and skill should be factors when measuring “success.” For a child with a learning disability, success could be the ability to read short sentences. For on-level kids, success could be mastering the concept of inference in a story. …
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?
School districts are currently underfunded by the state. … School districts are being forced to spread their budgets very thin to continue offering much needed pay raises … and to keep up with the daily operations. ... I would like any increase in funding to go toward an increase in teacher salaries and our hourly staff pay, as well as investing in our curriculum programs for students.
What changes do you believe need to be addressed at the state level regarding public education?
As stated above, our Texas state legislators must increase the basic per-student allotment by an additional $1,000 so school districts are equipped with the resources needed to provide all students a high-quality education. … Second, the state’s assessment and accountability system needs to be changed to accurately measure student growth and progress over time instead of putting all the weight on one test. …
If you could change one district policy, what would it be and why?
… I would expand the mental health team so that every campus has a school psychologist available for their students. Realistically, this cannot happen without more funding. ... Focusing on mental health does not only keep our students’ well-being in a good place, but this approach may also help to decrease the high rate of discipline problems occurring in our schools.
Why are you running for the Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees, and why are you the best candidate?
I am motivated by a desire to serve my community and restore Cy-Fair ISD's excellent education. Having attended Cy-Fair ISD schools, as well as my children, I have seen the level of education that the district is capable of and how far it has fallen. As a Realtor and 42-year resident of the area, I know what my fellow community members and parents want. …
What are the biggest issues Cy-Fair ISD is currently facing, and how would you address them?
Our district's purpose is to prepare every student with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to create a bright, successful future. … My top priority is improving student outcomes by returning to the basics and ensuring that teachers have the necessary resources to set our children up for success. School safety is critical for our students’ well-being and their academic success. …
What does student success mean to you, and how should it be measured?
Student success should be measured by the grades that students earn and graduation rates. Both measures can be increased by each student’s clear understanding of the core courses—math, reading, writing, history and science—expected of their grade level. … When students leave CFISD, they should have the skills and confidence to succeed in college, trade school, the military or the workforce.
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?
District money is your money. Taxpayer dollars should not be spent on frivolous pet projects. Instead, I will work to ensure that your money improves student outcomes and school safety. We should never face a situation in which we are spending more than our revenue. Fiscal responsibility must be restored while remaining competitive with teacher salaries and retention. …
What changes do you believe need to be addressed at the state level regarding public education?
Culture wars and radical ideologies have no place in our children’s classrooms. Teachers should stick to the curriculum standards that emphasize the basics of education and critical thinking skills. Our students deserve a sound foundational education, not indoctrination. Additionally, the Robin Hood system, in which the state takes and reallocates revenue from larger school districts, must come to an end.
If you could change one district policy, what would it be and why?
We need to review the methods of acceptance for transfer students. Restrictions on students transferring into CFISD should be loosened.
