AD: School Finance: School equity and COVID-19 planning are rooted in adequate school funding. School finance is essential to plan for future growth, to utilize campuses effectively, and provide equitable programming at every campus. Last year, the Legislature passed new school funding formulas, which did not provide FBISD adequate funding for teacher salary increases and "unfunded mandates." During COVID-19, we are facing more uncertainties regarding funding. In order to continue to provide all areas of the district quality education, innovative courses, social emotional support, exemplary fine arts and athletics programs, we need to find creative ways to recapture students that attend private, charter and alternative schools while advocating to ensure more equitable and adequate school funding at the state level.

AD: The voters in FBISD overwhelmingly passed the 2018 bond as the first part of a two-part capital investment campaign. Because of the 2018 bond funding, we can offer our students a high-quality education and equip our staff with the tools to deliver it. The COVID-19 pandemic has further impacted our funding model. As a BOT member and community servant, I serve not as a singular voice but as the voice of the collective ISD in Fort Bend. I will rely on the sound judgment and good stewardship of the district’s Bond Oversight Committee, combined with extensive parent and community input, in order to decide upon any future bond proposal.

RA: I served on a FBISD committee two years ago and had the opportunity to interact with the community at various events on a personal basis. The biggest issue voiced in these community sessions from parents was board transparency. They feel that all the decisions made by the board often happen behind closed doors. Though the board members are volunteers from the community and ran on items that matter the most by the people they represent, parents feel their message gets lost by the wayside.

If I am voted by the people of our community to be on the board of trustees I will be their voice and represent their concerns for the school district. My entire family represents FBISD and have been involved in it for decades. I am graduate of FBISD, my wife works for the Extended Day Program, and of our three children, two of my sons have graduated from FBISD and my daughter is currently a senior at Elkins High School. I hear the good, the bad, and the ugly first hand.

RA: [The] Fort Bend ISD community approved a $992.6 million bond of which $403.4 million was allocated for new construction, rebuilds and additions. The current student population is over 76,000 and expected to grow by roughly 10,000 students by the year 2027. The community has spoken loud and clear investing in the future our students and our school district by approving the 2018 bond. I feel that the approved funding is enough to address the population growth projected. It is important to assess the current situation that would address the current conditions to appropriate adequate funding to improve current schools. This process will require sound leadership from the board and community involvement and recommendations.

RA: I do not see a need for FBISD to call for a bond next year. I feel that the amount approved in the 2018 bond is sufficient to carry FBISD forward. Obviously the situation can be reassessed in the future if and when the need arises. The board with the help of the community should appropriately allocate the funds approved, and more importantly, it is imperative to approve/disapprove these monies for projects that are adequately vetted. The community has a vested interest in our schools and the education for our children, but continuing to approve bonds has obvious tax implications and undue financial burden.

DW: The biggest challenge currently facing Fort Bend ISD is the increasing number of low socioeconomic parents moving into [the] Fort Bend ISD attendance zone in search of an exceptional education for their children under the current “leadership” of [Superintendent] Charles Dupre and Charles Dupre’s willful and flagrant inability to meet the moment. Therefore, in complete contrast to my opponent, Allison Drew, I am of the belief, the willful failure of any child is reprehensible and the only resolution to remedy such disregard by those employed at the top is resignation and or termination at the first scheduled board meeting upon being sworn into office.

DW: The district should manage its response to the coronavirus pandemic and plan to re-open schools by allowing science and the collective credible medical profession to lead during these unprecedented times. Therefore, my stance on establishing policies and procedures regarding the pandemic will always be on the side of the experts and void of all political ideology.

DW: The district should hire individuals with expertise in campus utilization and urban planning. The district should then convene a group of community members to gather their collective input. The board should then proceed to take both perspectives to the public for feedback prior to rendering a final decision on the utilization of its existing campuses. Had FBISD had such a plan in place decades ago, we as a district would have been further ahead. Considering FBISD has allowed the builders to dictate which campuses failed and which campuses succeeded, FBISD is currently experiencing a two-decade stagnation of its special population student body and overall family structure.

DW: No, FBISD must began to deal with the hard truths regarding our changing income and racial demographics. Throwing money at a problem which has not been accurately assessed is worsening the problem.