Voters elected two new members and re-elected an incumbent to the Katy ISD school board May 10. Ashley Vann and Courtney Doyle will fill positions 3 and 4 respectively, while position 5 incumbent Henry Dibrell was re-elected for another term.
Board newcomer Vann unseated the incumbent, Bill Proctor, by better than 2 to 1. Vann tallied a total of 2,620 votes to Proctor's 1,285.
"I am pleased that the voters in this year's Katy ISD board of trustees election overwhelmingly chose for me to serve in Position 3," said Vann, 42, who works as a homemaker and volunteer.
She said she plans to work hard, be present, ask relevant questions and vote on district matters in a way that best serves students, staff and taxpayers.
"I look forward to being a part of great things in Katy ISD," Vann said.
Leading up to the election she said that properly managing the growth of the district and ensuring the safety of students are her top two priorities.
Doyle, 39, also won her seat with a healthy showing at the ballot box. With 2,446 votes, she beat out two other contenders—incumbent Terry Huckaby and another challenger, Jennifer Camero. Huckaby totaled 1,023 votes, while Camero trailed with 363 votes.
"This election has been one of the most memorable experiences in my life," Doyle said. "The support and encouragement that ultimately led to me being elected leaves me both humbled and honored. I look forward to working hard for the students and taxpayers of Katy ISD."
Prior to the election, Doyle, a homemaker and volunteer, said she would like to help rebuild trust between the board and the community to handle growth in the most fiscally responsible manner.
Dibrell won solidly over his opponent Cyndi Lawrence. He earned back his seat by 63 percent of the votes (2,461) to her 37 percent (1,430).
Dibrell, 46, has been on the board since May 2011 and served as its treasurer. He works as the executive director of the Amobi Okoye Foundation and is a licensed minister.
"I am excited to return for another 3 years, and excited to continue to move the district forward," Dibrell said.
Dibrell campaigned on, among other things, his support for expanding educational opportunities in the district, including workforce-ready programs, ROTC units, STEM initiatives and other programs.
He said the board has two sets of residents to be concerned about. The first are students; the second are taxpayers.
"Our challenge with our growth is to continue to move ahead, while maintaining or improving the high standard that residents in our district expect," Dibrell said.
The May 10 election is not official until the Katy ISD board of trustees canvasses the results. A meeting for that purpose is scheduled for May 19. New board members are slated to be sworn in at the same meeting.
