Photo by Marie Leonard

From left to right, Cy-Fair ISD trustee candidates Darcy Mingoia, Lillian Wanjagi, Kevin Hoffman and Angela Wesley prepare to answer questions during an Oct. 16 candidate forum.

Four of the five individuals running for two spots on the Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees participated in a candidate forum Oct. 16, during which they were asked numerous questions about wide-ranging issues facing the district.

The candidates, Darcy Mingoia (Position 3), Lillian Wanjagi (Position 3), Kevin Hoffman (Position 4) and Angela Wesley (Position 4) were asked, among other things, their opinions on the district's optional homestead exemption, their top priorities for CFISD and their thoughts on future raises for district staff. Position 3 Incumbent Bill Morris was not present.

When asked about the district's optional homestead exemption, which gives homeowners a 20 percent reduction in property taxes, all the candidates agreed, saying they would not support revoking any part of the exemption.

The four candidates were also supportive of proposed 3 percent raises for district staff. Wanjagi and Mingoia both agreed that raises are important to retain and recruit qualified staff and teachers, while Wesley said she would even consider a 4 or 5 percent raise since the cost of living has increased.

Candidates were asked what role they believe fine arts and athletics serve, and if they support such programs. All candidates said the programs are important in developing well-rounded students, but Wanjagi differed slightly in her opinion.

"The core mission of our district is academics," she said. "Athletics are really important, and I think it's important to provide students who are talented in athletics the opportunity to do so, but I think they need to be prioritized in the right place."

A question about a proposed state voucher system, which would take money from public school districts and transfer it to parents to pay for charter or private school tuition, drew different responses from each of the candidates.

Mingoia said she likely would not be inclined to support vouchers.

"I have a difficult time thinking we need vouchers when our public schools don't have all the financial resources they need," she said. "On the whole, I find there is more negative about vouchers than positive."

Conversely, Wanjagi said she believes parents should have the final authority over what type of education their child receives.

"I support school vouchers because every parent can decide for themselves what the best option for their student is," she said.

Hoffman said he supports school choice, but not at the expense of public schools.

"If you're going to receive tax dollars, you need to be subject to the same scrutiny that tax entities are [under]," he said. "There are a lot of questions that need to be answered before you go down that road."

Wesley answered the question from both a parent and taxpayer's point of view.

"As a parent I would say go for it, especially for those special education parents who don't feel comfortable having their children educated in Cy-Fair ISD," she said. "As a taxpayer I would question it; I would ask what procedures are going to be in place to be sure the vouchers are being used in a proper way."

Candidates were also asked about their top priorities for the school district, and both Hoffman and Mingoia said the issue of inequitable school funding is a problem.

"Quality of education is important, and in order to provide it, we have to make sure we are funded in an equitable manner from the state," Hoffman said. "$5.3 billion was cut from public education dollars over the past couple years, and that has yielded a situation in Cy-Fair in which we have lost over $100 million dollars. It's very important to work with our legislators to make sure we shore up those lost funds."

Wanjagi said the district needs to invest in the quality of its academic programs and continue to do over and above what the state requires.

"[One] example would be our IB program," she said. "I think we should focus on having nationally recognized academic programs. A very important priority should be the quality of education."

Wesley said her priorities include education, teamwork and the gifted and talented and special education programs.

"We need more teachers to provide that education," she said. "If the teachers need extra paraprofessionals or extra co-teachers, then that's what the district should look at doing."

Early voting begins Oct. 22, and Election Day is Nov. 6. For more information on the candidates' backgrounds, see Community Impact Newspaper's Oct. 18 edition.