Meet the candidates
Board President Scott Henry, Cleveland Lane Jr. and Position 5 trustee Natalie Blasingame are competing for the Position 6 seat. The elected Position 6 trustee will serve a four-year term.
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.
Scott Henry
Experience:
CFISD board president, trustee, Cy-Woods Band volunteer, Cy-Fair Educational Foundation supporter, active community partner
Occupation:
Sales
Candidate Website:
http://www.scottforcyfair.com
Contact Information:
[email protected]
Why are you running for the CFISD board of trustees, and what makes you the best candidate?
I’m running to keep CFISD strong for families and the Cy-Fair community. As CFISD board president, I led on implementing important, pro-family policies, pay increases for our teachers and staff and maintaining focus on student safety.
Given mixed feelings about the TEA's rating system, how do you think district success should be measured? What makes a successful district?
Success is more than a rating. It’s strong academics, safe schools, parental involvement and preparing students for life after graduation. A successful district values teachers, supports families, and ensures every child has the opportunity to thrive in academics, fine arts and career readiness.
What are the biggest issues CFISD is facing, and how would you address them?
The biggest issues CFISD faces are budget challenges and growing competition. Under my leadership, we passed a budget that protects employees and sustains services families expect. Moving forward, we’ll continue promoting CFISD as the best educational choice through strong marketing, community outreach and a clear focus on student success.
How will you take community feedback into account when making decisions?
I stay accessible, listen to parents, staff, and students, and make sure their voices shape decisions. Trust comes from transparency and honest conversations. Community feedback guides board priorities and ensures policies reflect the values and needs of Cy-Fair families.
If you could change one district policy, what would it be and why?
I would reduce unnecessary screen time for our youngest students. Children learn best through direct instruction, interaction and play. By ensuring strong foundational skills early, we set students up for long-term academic success while keeping parents confident in what’s happening in the classroom.
Cleveland Lane Jr.
Occupation:
Professor of practice
Candidate Website:
http://www.cleveland4cfisd.com
Contact Information:
832-758-1414
Why are you running for the CFISD board of trustees, and what makes you the best candidate?
I’m passionate about the academic and social development of all youth. I am running to impact this diverse community's educational landscape. As a board member, I would work with all stakeholders to prepare "21st century global learners." My characteristics include the ability to evaluate information, cross-cultural thinking and technological literacy.
Given mixed feelings about the TEA's rating system, how do you think district success should be measured? What makes a successful district?
I believe in a holistic approach to measuring district success. The district's success should be measured by outcomes, which are qualitative and quantitative. Including, but not limited to, non-biased cultural standardized tests, graduation rates, academic growth, student-teacher engagement, college readiness and post-high school success student outcomes.
What are the biggest issues CFISD is facing, and how would you address them?
The critical issues facing CFISD are the state funding-gap and artificial Intelligence, which are changing the educational landscape and workforce. The district must be creative in its strategic plan to stay competitive with other districts. The addition of AI to society requires an understanding of changes in curricula for AI-integrated workspaces.
How will you take community feedback into account when making decisions?
An effective educational system requires community involvement with the school district. I understand the community's trust in the professionals to develop their children from K-12 depends on good communication and transparency. I will use feedback from discussions, surveys and community committees to build a strong academic ecosystem of young learners.
If you could change one district policy, what would it be and why?
I would change the policy on curricula changes made to state-approved textbooks, including vaccines, cultural diversity and climate change. The board must consider the committees of stakeholders set up to provide community and professional experience and expertise when making decisions.
Natalie Blasingame
Experience:
Current trustee, mother, 32-year educator, advocate for our youth, lover of people, public servant
Occupation:
Retired educator- teacher/principal/assistant superintendent
Candidate Website:
http://natalieforcfisd.com
Contact Information:
[email protected]
Why are you running for the CFISD board of trustees, and what makes you the best candidate?
Every child deserves an excellent education, in a safe environment, preparing them for work, college, the military, and a family of their own. Every teacher deserves policies that “have your back” as you hold students to high expectations and their full potential. I am uniquely qualified to facilitate this work.
Given mixed feelings about the TEA's rating system, how do you think district success should be measured? What makes a successful district?
We need to ensure all students can read, do math, write and think critically! Some of this can be measured by a test, the rest needs to be born out of community commitment to building a district that values developing whole, healthy individuals not preparing them to take a test.
What are the biggest issues CFISD is facing, and how would you address them?
Campus ratings improved, however, 12,979 (20%) CFISD students did not pass reading (RLA) on the 2025 STAAR/EOC test. Similarly,12,026 children K-5 are not reading at 50% mastery. We must face our budget shortfall while properly addressing basic literacy. Please join our ImPACT volunteer tutoring and come ...
How will you take community feedback into account when making decisions?
I am always seeking input from parents/community members wherever I go. I push for surveys, expanded committees and more forms of community input to guide board/district decision-making. This is top priority. The schools belong to the community not the administration. The board is your voice for your schools.
If you could change one district policy, what would it be and why?
Let’s revisit how we calculate GPA and class rank. Students are forced to choose between exploring interests and careers or earning a GPA that accesses competitive universities. This seems shortsighted- I believe the CFISD community can outsmart the factory model of education and build our schools into factories of hope.
