One incumbent and two challengers are running for Position 4 on the Humble ISD board of trustees in the upcoming May 3 election.
Meet the candidates
Newcomers Brittnai Brown and Tracy Shannon have filed for Position 4 on the HISD board of trustees, as previously reported by Community Impact. The position is currently held by Ken Kirchhofer, who serves as board vice president and filed for re-election.
Each of the seven members of HISD’s board of trustees is elected to an at-large position, meaning they represent the entire district rather than a specific portion of the district, for four years in a nonpartisan election, according to the district’s website. HISD board positions 1, 3 and 5 are also up for election May 3.
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.
Early voting for the May 3 election will run from April 22-29. For more information about voting in Harris County, click here.
*Incumbent
Brittnai Brown
Experience:
Digital navigator, supporting digital literacy and technology integration, mom, an educator
Candidate Website:
https://linktr.ee/brittnai4humbleisd
What’s the biggest challenge the district is currently facing, and how do you plan to address it?
Our district has challenges with transparency, decision-making, and financial spending. Too often, choices are made behind closed doors. I believe in open communication and making decisions based on community feedback to promote accountability and trust.
How will you work to help the district move forward following the recent appointment of a new superintendent?
I believe the board should create a clear evaluation system for [Superintendent Roger] Brown that holds him accountable for academic improvement. With struggling schools in our district, the superintendent is responsible for ensuring that every student receives a great education. I will advocate for transparency, data-driven decision-making, and community input in ...
How will you work to ensure campuses are adequately funded throughout the district?
With anticipated changes to Title I funding, we have to develop creative staffing and scheduling solutions. Regardless of budget constraints, I will work to ensure that resources are used efficiently, teachers are supported, and students achieve their full potential.
Ken Kirchhofer*
Experience:
Vice President Humble ISD Board of Trustees; Chair Audit & Finance Committees; I am the Director…
Candidate Website:
https://www.facebook.com/kenkirchhofer2021
What’s the biggest challenge the district is currently facing, and how do you plan to address it?
Moving student learning forward in the face of the somewhat lingering effects of the pandemic and more so, the turmoil caused by certain, so-called leaders of the district, that caused great distraction to district operations over the last 20 months. These are being addressed by Dr. Brown and his cabinet …
How will you work to help the district move forward following the recent appointment of a new superintendent?
I, along with three other trustees, was instrumental in the hiring of the new superintendent. To say he stepped into a very difficult situation would be a gross understatement. How he has marshalled district educators and other support staff to push student learning forward since stepping in last May, has …
How will you work to ensure campuses are adequately funded throughout the district?
The board or district does not pick winners or losers regarding campus funding. This is a function of student population/demographic makeup (Title Campuses) and district programs placed on a campus (e.g. Special Ed). There has been a sharp focus that began this school year to improve ADA. Slight …
Tracy Shannon
Experience:
stay-at-home mom; Education: BS Business Admin, Texas A&M University; technical writer; oil & gas accounting…
Candidate Website:
https://www.shannon4humbleisd.com
Contact Information:
281-803-9422
What’s the biggest challenge the district is currently facing, and how do you plan to address it?
Academic decline: clearly define goals for the superintendent; fill teaching positions with certified teachers and using less substitutes; remove ineffective faddish curriculum/initiatives with no metric for evaluating success; rewarding schools and teachers that show improvement; refocusing the district on its core mission to educate.
How will you work to help the district move forward following the recent appointment of a new superintendent?
Work to pass policy that increases transparency; support hearing from the community and allow debate on dias; support the superintendent by putting forward policy to help meet defined goals; work with the board to allow debate on matters important to parents.
How will you work to ensure campuses are adequately funded throughout the district?
Avoid expensive Title IX lawsuits, requiring relevant training; evaluate administrative services, streamline roles; audit to identify waste; reduce number of administrators; review effectiveness of curriculum, removing those that have little impact; reviewing maintenance contracts and looking for better deals; eliminate redundancy; maximize state and federal funding without compromising district integrity.
