Two candidates are campaigning for Tomball ISD board of trustees Position 2 in the upcoming Nov. 8 election. Candidates include incumbent Michael Pratt and homemaker Stephanie Lopez.
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, visit www.harrisvotes.com. For more information about voting in Montgomery County, visit www.elections.mctx.org.
Brett Guillory (Withdrawn)
Experience:
educator in the public school system for 15 years, a small-business owner
Occupation:
fabrication instructor
Candidate Website:
https://www.facebook.com/brettguilloryfortomballisd
Why are you running for election?
I'm running to serve my community, students and fellow educators. I've made education my life's work, and I see firsthand the challenges both students and educators face on a daily basis. There are solutions to these challenges. The system can be fixed. We need leadership and courage to implement these solutions.
What will your top two priorities be if elected?
My focus will be to expand [career and technology education], putting more emphasis on industry-based certifications and local internships, and also on removing [social emotional learning] and other woke policies and philosophies from the education system.
As a growing district, what challenges do you believe Tomball ISD faces, and how will you help address those challenges?
I'm committed to ensuring that we grow not only the best way possible, but also the right way [by] being a good steward of taxpayer dollars, limiting administrative staff and placing an emphasis on what our teachers need to best educate students.
Projects are beginning from TISD’s 2021 bond. How will you approach overseeing these projects and spending bond dollars?
I will work with local vendors, have companies compete for contracts to ensure the district is getting the best price and service, and will work to come in under budget on all projects.
What steps will you take to further communication between TISD and residents?
I will improve and ensure that there is total transparency in processes, curriculum, budgets and information, etc.
Stephanie Lopez
Experience:
bilingual speech-language pathologist for 13 years; teacher in preschool and children’s ministries; teacher for my two kids of elementary and junior high school age; parent advisory team; experience in business finances and operations
Occupation:
homemaker, small family-business owner
Candidate Website:
https://stephanielopeztx.com
Contact Information:
346-236-9124
Why are you running for election?
For several years, I have had a burden in my heart for what is happening in our nation’s classrooms. God opened this door to be a voice for many concerned parents and a gatekeeper for Tomball ISD students by focusing on learning academics and keeping harmful ideologies from infiltrating classrooms.
What will your top two priorities be if elected?
Accountability and improved communication with parents/caregivers, students and community members [is a priority]; eliminate inappropriate and harmful content from the classrooms and libraries, including curriculums that promote immoral values.
As a growing district, what challenges do you believe Tomball ISD faces, and how will you help address those challenges?
As a district grows, it is both easy to lose sight of the priorities and challenging to spend public funding responsibly. I will serve the residents of Tomball ISD by voting for sound fiscal decisions and act as a fresh pair of eyes while reviewing spending and contracts.
Projects are beginning from TISD’s 2021 bond. How will you approach overseeing these projects and spending bond dollars?
Families are going through challenging economic times. I am ready to take on the task of critically reviewing contracts to efficiently spend these dollars, which will take many years to pay off. Working closely with the project managers is essential to avoid long lead times and price increases.
What steps will you take to further communication between TISD and residents?
Advertise meetings multiple times to encourage parent/caregiver and taxpayer engagement; make the process for addressing the board more reasonable; make all regular and workshop board meetings accessible for live viewing and for later viewing online and in a timely manner.
Michael Pratt (incumbent)
Experience:
U.S. Marine Corps veteran; doctorate in education; former TISD board president; executive at Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Occupation:
manager, product management at Amazon
Candidate Website:
https://prattforschoolboard.com/
Contact Information:
281 357-3100 ext. 2005
Why are you running for election?
I want our students to be life ready. I want to continue to serve like I did in the U.S. Marine Corps. As a parent of a TISD student, I want TISD to continue to be the top-rated school district in Harris and Montgomery Counties.
What will your top two priorities be if elected?
My two priorities are ensuring the safety and security of our students, teachers and staff, and managing our high student enrollment growth. With our great partnership with the Tomball Police, we need to reinforce constant vigilance for every campus. Delivering Bond 2021 projects on time and under budget is critical.
As a growing district, what challenges do you believe Tomball ISD faces, and how will you help address those challenges?
As a parent of TISD students, I’ve seen our high student growth. Maintaining our community values is critical. I have a track record of balancing growth and understand our strong traditions. I live by the core principles of respect, honesty, integrity and accountability that our community's residents want to maintain.
Projects are beginning from TISD’s 2021 bond. How will you approach overseeing these projects and spending bond dollars?
I will remain active in the oversight of Tomball ISD’s plan to deliver the Bond 2021 projects on time and under budget. Renovating existing and building new campuses and facilities, adding technology infrastructure, along with improving cybersecurity, facility security, and additional school buses will be a large focus for me.
What steps will you take to further communication between TISD and residents?
I will continue to attend school/community events and listen to feedback from parents, students and taxpayers. We follow Texas law and video stream meetings where the board votes on matters, yet I will advocate for the same for nonvoting workshop meetings and making it easier for community input opportunities.
