MW: COVID, as we all know, is the main challenge. I plan to work with our board and continue to improve safety measures, ensure the state is providing needed supplies and work to keep communication open and provide it at a time that allows them to plan ahead.

MW: I am a product of the CISD school district and a mother to children currently in the district. I have served in the community the past 10 years as a coach with the YMCA, a room mom, a CISD volunteer, a team mom on several youth programs and, currently, the [vice president] of programs for the PTO board at the local high school. As a woman, a mother, a parent of students in the district and a person of color, I bring the views of many others to the table from a different perspective.

MW: It is my vision to see CISD further incorporate and expand skilled trade opportunities for our high school programs [and] ensure that just as we are building new facilities to accommodate our growing community that we also don’t forget about our older facilities—we need to ensure that they are equipped with the latest technology to keep them performing academically. I also want to take a look at our food vendors and get feedback on current food options for the students and possibly implement options that are being used and not wasted.

MW: You can never foresee the future. [The] 2019 bond did not take in account of COVID and the schools being closed for majority of the year, virtual instruction [and] reduced capacity at extracurricular events. I have faith in our finance department and know that our budget has been well-maintained. This will have to be further looked at in 2021 when the state advises on public school funding for the year.

SM: The main issue facing the district today is our continuing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the questions of how to best educate children while keeping them safe. This issue is evolving on a daily basis. I will continue to work with district administration to see that our communication remains effective and that our technology needs are met so that every student has the ability to learn in the environment that is best for him/her. I will also work with our district administration to ensure that online curriculum and education delivery is not subordinate in quality to in-person instruction.

I also believe that poverty is another huge issue facing our district. We have implemented new procedures to address our impoverished students and the difficulties we face. I will work to see that these programs remain viable and effective so that a child’s education does not suffer because of their family’s financial situation.

SM: I have already proven myself as a trustee willing to listen to the concerns of the citizens. During both of the bond referenda in 2019 and during the rezoning of schools in The Woodlands High School and College Park High School feeder zones, I took the time to meet with concerned citizens, to hear the issues that they felt were important and to represent those concerns to the board. I have also taken the time to attend meetings of parent groups addressing specific educational issues to learn more about the difficulties their students face. I have worked with these parents to improve conditions and accommodations for their children. Finally, I readily respond to communication from residents and have shown myself willing to engage in difficult conversations with citizens.

SM: Over the summer months, I participated with Board President Datren Williams and Superintendent Dr. Curtis Null in a series of conversations around race relations in our community and how race and systemic racism affect our learning environment and the social-emotional well-being of our students. I would like to see that those conversations continue and that the recommendations we received continue to be considered and acted upon.

I will also continue to advocate for a moratorium on high-stakes standardized testing. This will involve direct advocacy with legislators and policy-makers at the state and federal levels.

SM: I feel that the 2019 bond addressed most of the needs of the district which directly affect classroom education. If growth continues at the same historical rates, we will need to continue to build schools to address our growing student population. However, I do not feel another bond will be needed until at least 2023, possibly later. This board has a history of extending bonds further than originally anticipated and of finding creative ways to fund new projects. I would push the board to be creative in its administration and funding and to seek innovative ways to provide for the growing population without incurring undue debt and burdening the taxpayers. In recent years, the board has been able to “pay cash” for some schools outside of a bond referendum without incurring any debt. I will work with district officials to save money and to reallocate funds, if necessary, to avoid any unnecessary debt. If a bond did become necessary in 2023 or 2024, I would work diligently to ensure that it was possible to issue said bond without a corresponding increase in taxes.