Q&A: Learn about the 4 candidates running for Humble ISD Position 2

What are the biggest issues Humble ISD is facing, and how would you address them?

Growth in student enrollment over the next five to seven years will be a major challenge both in facility construction/renovation and adding quality staff to all areas of the organization. Campus safety is our first priority. The district maintains law enforcement officers at all high school and middle school campuses. The best in equipment and technology has been provided. We increased starting officer pay this past fall to remain competitive. Coordination with area first responders is ongoing. With so many overlapping jurisdictions, not knowing who is in charge of what role could be devastating, as we saw with [the] Uvalde tragedy. The district is a leader in Texas with regards to countering outside threats. All employees go through Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events training (run, fight, hide), and police officers participate in Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (national standard). Many things the Legislature is now pushing to make mandatory, we have been doing for several years. There have been “live” active shooter trainings, along with ongoing “table top” trainings. Elementary school entryways were hardened some years back. There is a digital anonymous reporting system, iHelp (if you see it, say it!) in place for staff and students. There are evacuation/reunification protocols on campuses, along with a real-time tracking capability during an emergency using the Raptor system. The CrisisGo app connects staff in the event of an emergency. Door sweeps are conducted multiple times each day by staff. The Texas Education Agency conducts unannounced audits of campus access. We engage another third-party vendor to also conduct similar access audits. We have achieved stellar results thus far.

Are there any parts of Humble ISD’s budget you feel are overfunded and/or underfunded? How would you address this?

I have served as finance committee chair from 2020-present and [from] 2012-15. The board moved teacher pay from last to fourth vs. 14 other districts. I drove an initiative in 2013 to refinance bonds, generating bond interest savings of over $100 million, since inception. We have reduced the tax rate to $1.29 in 2022 from $1.42 in 2019. We have been fiscally conservative and have built adequate reserves to deal with unexpected events, such as natural disasters.

What changes do you believe need to be addressed at the state level regarding public education?

Adequate funding to attract quality people to this profession [is needed]. Once on board, we need to retain them through a quality and challenging work environment and health/retirement benefits that are put on par with the private sector. Additionally, “paperwork” mandates placed on staff need to be critically judged as to whether the time expended has a meaningful impact on the student performance. If it does not, it needs to be eliminated by TEA.

How do you believe the district should plan for future growth?

As a current board member, I see that we have the plans and structure in place to successfully manage student enrollment growth. The discussions and information related to these initiatives are quite public.

Do you believe Humble ISD is doing enough to address the concern of parents regarding some of the content available in school libraries? Why or why not?

I believe the Library Materials Policy that was recently passed, after the additional verbiage I recommended, gives parents and staff clear direction as to what should and shouldn’t be included in our libraries per statute. This year we have removed numerous titles that were in violation of policy. The policy includes a review committee that addresses books of concern to parents, where a fair decision can be made, as to whether a book should be removed under policy guidelines. There is a mechanism in place to address further, directly to the board. I have spoken with a number of district librarians, and they have told me that they believe the policy is beneficial to them and to students/parents alike. The district has also advised publishing distributors that we will no longer accept books for campus libraries that are not age appropriate for grade level or violate state law as to adult content.

What are the biggest issues Humble ISD is facing, and how would you address them?

Humble Independent School District ... is ranked No. 495 of all 1,196 school districts in Texas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-22 school year. State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test, showed “promising signs of progress in Texas' efforts to catch students up academically.”

Are there any parts of Humble ISD’s budget you feel are overfunded and/or underfunded? How would you address this?

I feel that security and monitoring services are underfunded. There should be more funds allocated here because [it] is needed for all schools, especially secondary schools and some elementary schools.

What changes do you believe need to be addressed at the state level regarding public education?

“Attendance“ Humble ISD

How do you believe the district should plan for future growth?

It is vitally important to get bonds passed to accommodate the consistent increase in student growth, to prepare for renovations and the construction of new schools.

Do you believe Humble ISD is doing enough to address the concern of parents regarding some of the content available in school libraries? Why or why not?

What are the biggest issues Humble ISD is facing, and how would you address them?

Student mental health. Parent trust. Teacher attraction and retention. I will advocate to place students first to overcome the behavioral and academic setbacks brought on by the COVID[-19] shutdown of schools. Enforce conservative policies to address today’s urban issues to build a culture which reflects our values. Fight to fund additional support staff to help teachers exercise their passion to teach, support the current academic calendar, and keep the board out of their classroom.

Are there any parts of Humble ISD’s budget you feel are overfunded and/or underfunded? How would you address this?

85% of the budget is personnel. As a parent of a disabled child and changes by the Legislature regarding dyslexia, I have a special interest in special education. However, this will not distract me from addressing the needs of our gifted and talented, at-grade and below-grade-level [students]. I will advocate to place students first by allocating dollars to courses, programs, partnerships and experiences for every student to explore their hopes, dreams and aspirations.

What changes do you believe need to be addressed at the state level regarding public education?

Properly fund the public education system, and simplify the Texas Education Agency rating system.

How do you believe the district should plan for future growth?

What are the biggest issues Humble ISD is facing, and how would you address them?

Presently, the biggest issue facing Humble ISD is the experimentation of using computers for learning purposes. Increasingly, we are seeing students who are unable to read on grade level and do basic math. Returning to a traditional form of education, which worked for our founding fathers, allows students to learn to read, write and do math with success since it will be developmentally appropriate for the students.

Are there any parts of Humble ISD’s budget you feel are overfunded and/or underfunded? How would you address this?

Recently, Humble ISD budgeted $800,000 for a pond, and now it has risen to $3.8 million. Additionally, we are not maintaining our buildings, and building a new middle school and tearing down the old one. If Humble ISD were better stewards of the taxpayer funds, the district could offer better salaries for teachers, attract teachers to work for Humble [ISD] and have money available for our students.

What changes do you believe need to be addressed at the state level regarding public education?

Education is about relationship. A computer does not replace a good teacher. Legislators have passed laws that have changed education and have harmed our children. Many students do not read on grade level and are unable to complete simple math. Returning to a traditional education that worked for years is needed rather than continuing with the experimentation of computer learning. Isn’t insanity doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result?