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Challengers Benny R. Kinsey and Denise Morrison will take on incumbent Dustin Creager for the Position 4 seat on the Klein ISD board of trustees in the Nov. 5 election.
Some context
According to the KISD website, each member of the board of trustees is elected to an at-large position for three years in a nonpartisan election. For more information about trustee elections in KISD, click here. For more information on how Texas school boards function, click here.
What you need to know
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.
For more information about voting in Harris County, click here.
*indicates incumbent
What is your top priority if elected?
Student and staff safety is my top priority. As board representative for the safety committee all three years, a former police officer and a current chief officer of the Klein Fire Department, I will continue to use my expertise as a fire responder to enhance our safety [and] security standards and …
What is the biggest issue Klein ISD is currently facing, and how will you address it?
The biggest issue is lack of state funding. This year Klein didn’t do the cuts that neighboring districts made, however, without inflationary adjustments to the state funding model, there will be challenges in the future. I will work with elected officials and use my expertise in budgeting to …
What are the biggest needs for Klein ISD students, and how will you address them?
I am devoted to focusing on what is best for teachers and students. Where others have words, I have actions. I continue to advocate for what is best for our students. I will continue to support programs that are best for educating students and developing them into tomorrow’s leaders.
How will you work to help expand professional development opportunities for educators and school staff?
I will advocate for professional development that help our hardworking staff develop and grow. We must ensure the educators have time to learn and focus on students. We must partner with elected officials to reduce redundant, irrelevant requirements that state agencies put on our teachers, causing unnecessary challenges and hardships.
How will you work to ensure campus safety throughout Klein ISD?
We expanded the Klein Police Department and added armed campus guards to every campus. We invested in specific positions and programs to address mental health needs. We upgraded facilities with secured vestibules and added shatter- resistant glass. I will continue to focus on the safety of our students and staff.
What is your top priority if elected?
To make KISD financially healthy again. With a $36 million deficit in 2024, the current path is not sustainable. With 20-plus years as a finance manager, I have the background to help put Klein back on track financially which will have a direct impact on student outcomes.
What is the biggest issue Klein ISD is currently facing, and how will you address it?
Lack of transparency. Many in our community feel unheard or even ignored by the board and one of my goals is to change that sentiment. Policy changes will be fully discussed publicly during the meeting and recorded, ensuring all stakeholders are given the opportunity to learn and be heard.
What are the biggest needs for Klein ISD students, and how will you address them?
There's a part in the south of the district that seems all too often neglected. Many here are unaware of available resources for mental health, special needs, etc. Let’s ensure we are giving every student and parent the resources to help them succeed.
How will you work to help expand professional development opportunities for educators and school staff?
I aim to provide access to self-learning resources and workshops for everyone. Additionally, I want to encourage collaborative learning. Most importantly, I plan to reward teachers with incentives and recognition to motivate them to be creative and engage students beyond just test-taking.
What is your top priority if elected?
My top priority is to ensure the district budget is used effectively to prioritize student learning, expand educational programs, retain our great educators and provide necessary resources for all students, while maintaining transparency and accountability.
What is the biggest issue Klein ISD is currently facing, and how will you address it?
Budget constraints are the biggest issue. I will ensure financial efficiency through comprehensive budget reviews and advocate for cost-saving measures, all while maintaining the quality of education and essential services. My goal is to allocate resources toward lowering the at-risk student rate without compromising overall student outcomes.
What are the biggest needs for Klein ISD students, and how will you address them?
Students need increased access to vocational trades, mental health services, technology and extracurricular opportunities to address the at-risk population. I will collaborate with community organizations to increase funding for vocational programs, mental health staff, enhance STEM and extracurricular activities to help reduce student at-risk rates.
How will you work to help expand professional development opportunities for educators and school staff?
How will you work to ensure campus safety throughout Klein ISD?
Klein has effectively secured the facilities with training, cameras and policies to keep our children secure. However, we should strengthen Human Resources with more thorough background checks and random inspections year-round due to numerous child endangerment incidents recently.
The district has professional development programs, so I will work to enhance these programs by expanding continuous learning opportunities through targeted workshops, mentorship initiatives and partnerships with higher education institutions, ensuring teachers and staff are equipped to meet modern educational demands and better serve student needs.
How will you work to ensure campus safety throughout Klein ISD?
I will work with local law enforcement to enhance safety by upgrading security, increasing resource officers and creating emergency plans tailored to each campus. This includes tailored active shooter/aggressor training, better threat identification and improved reporting procedures for swift, effective prevention and response.