Four people, including two incumbents, have filed candidacy papers for the May 7 election for two open seats on the Katy ISD board of trustees.

Incumbent board member Joe Adams—who has been on the board of trustees since 1989—and fellow incumbent board member Rebecca Fox are seeking re-election to their seats.

Fox is running unopposed for her Position 2 seat, however Adams has two challengers for his Position 1 seat—Bill Lacy and George Scott.

Adams has held every position on the board of trustees, including four terms as president. He owns Budget Blinds and Bluebonnet Painting and Renovation in Katy.

“I really, really enjoy serving on the board of trustees,” Adams said. “I want to be a part of the [new] superintendent’s selection. I feel like I can contribute to that.”

He said growth is one of KISD’s biggest impending issues as well as the search for a new superintendent, the uncertain financial support from the state for fast-growth districts, and improving programs to keep up with KISD’s increasing diversity.

“We have to continue to pass bond issues that are pretty good sized bond issues and that takes some getting on board by the public,” Adams said.

Lacy is a home loan officer with PHH Home Loans and has lived in the district for 20 years. He has four grown children who have all graduated from KISD schools. He has one grandchild currently attending a school in the district.

“Now that the youngest is out of the house, I have the time to devote to the school district and give back what was provided to me,” Lacy said.

He said his experience as a loan officer would be helpful if he is elected.

“I’m able to look at and analyze financial data,” Lacy said.

Scott is a self-employed public policy consultant and former journalist. He said his long history studying education policy prompted his run for school board and he is running on a platform of reform.

“We’re not going to run this campaign on platitudes,” Scott said.

He said the workplace for teachers has become increasingly difficult, making it harder for them to do their jobs.

Scott said he also feels school boards can do more to hold administrators accountable to make sure children are getting the education they need.

“We have brilliant kids who are being well served by a brilliant teaching staff,” Scott said. “I am not anti-teacher. I am not criticizing teachers. We have brilliant kids, but what is lost in the shuffle is that we have children who are being underserved.”

Fox, who is a motivational speaker, has been on the board since 2004, including two terms as president. She is currently the board treasurer.

Candidates run for specific seats on the KISD board of trustees, although the positions are elected at-large for the seven-member board. Board members are elected for three-year terms.