We reached out to the seven individuals running for three contested positions on the Katy ISD Board of Trustees and asked them a few questions. These are their un-edited responses.
Jennifer Camero
Occupation: Homemaker although I do have a bachelor's degree in business and seven years of experience working on city council with the City of Houston.
Age: 35 years old
Years in Katy: 2
Campaign website:
www.facebook.com/jennifer. camero4equalityinschools
-What are your top two priorities, if elected?
My first priority would be to revisit the cuts to bus transportation which affected 6,000 plus students nearly 2 years ago and I would actively persist revisiting the same issue until it is reinstated. This continues to be a matter of importance among parents and a matter that I am also passionate about.
Secondly would be to create more channels of effective and engaging communication with parents/community. Currently I don't believe the district is doing an adequate job of communicating with the public. A clear example of what I am referring to that is fresh on our minds is the bond referendum that failed in November of 2013. To my knowledge, there were no community meetings set up to solicit input from parents and tax payers nor was the public properly educated regarding the make-up of the bond. The bond that appeared on the ballot had vague wording in hopes that the public would pass the measure.
-Why do you want to run for this elected office?
I am running for Katy ISD School Board to bring change and a new voice for the people. Even though the members of the board represent the community at large, I think to fully understand the needs of the underrepresented areas (North Katy) one must live in the area. Also since North Katy is projected to be part of the new growth in the coming years, it would be beneficial to the community to have a member on the board that lives on the north side.
-Development and growth have been big themes for the Katy area in recent years. How would you help plan for future growth in the area, if elected?
This ties back to my answer regarding communication. I think to successfully implement change and expand the district's school inventory you must include those who the change with affect. I would set up public meetings to present proposed location, proposed designs, proposed cost, etc. and solicit feedback. Once school location is determined, community input should be solicited as soon as possible to begin the process of rezoning. The sooner you begin tackling the challenge at hand, with of course the inclusion of community, the easier the transition will be on everyone, especially students.
-In what two ways do you see yourself as an advocate for the residents you will represent if elected?
I want to be an advocate on behalf of the students and community I represent by addressing the inequities across schools. I think all students should have equal educational opportunities no matter what area of the district you live in. Secondly, I will be an advocate of transparency. The board needs to be more open and transparent with matters affecting the district.
Courtney Doyle
Age: 39
Occupation: Stay at home mom
Years in the Katy area: 5 1/2
Campaign website: www.doyle4kisd.com
-What are your top two priorities, if elected?
My number one priority is the kids of KISD. Having 6 children of my own I know what quality education in conjunction with extra curricular opportunities can do for a child as they prepare for their future. Embracing the growth that is before us in the most fiscally responsible way and Communication are also top priorities for me. The taxpayers of Katy need to be educated and communicated with to fully understand and accept what the future holds for KatyISD.
-Why do you want to run for this elected office?
When we moved to Katy 5 years ago, I made a promise to my kids that I would work to make their schools the best around, after spending the past 5 years serving in leadership roles at their schools I have decided it is time to share my leadership, love of children and education on a broader scale. I believe there is an opportunity at this time to step in and add a woman's voice to the board, a voice that represents the moms, a voice that represents "New" families moving into Katy, and a voice that will pay it forward in honor of the families that have been in Katy and had the vision to make Katy what it is today.
-Development and growth have been big themes for the Katy area in recent years. How would you help plan for future growth in the area, if elected?
We are growing at wharp speed and there is no way to stop that. What we have to do as a district is to be proactive on this growth that is before us. As a board member I would like to help rebuild trust so that the board can work with the community to handle this growth in the most fiscally responsible manner. We are a unique district, what used to be a small town with great schools is now a large town, with many more great schools, at 67,000 students and future projections of us hitting 90-100,000 students I believe, trust, transparency and partnership with the community will maintain the "small town" feel in a "big town" reality.
-In what two ways do you see yourself as an advocate for the residents you will represent if elected?
I live it! I have children in the district at all levels, one graduate and one in preschool. I am and will continue to be invested in the district and community for many years to come. I have served in leadership roles at each of their schools which has afforded me the opportunity to hear the community and their desires for our district. I am committed to making a difference and I believe that can only happen with quality leaders with good communication skills who have the time to invest in our district outside of Monday night board meetings.
Terry Huckaby* (incumbent)
Age: 50
Occupation: Teacher / Private Business Owner
Years in the Katy area: 16
Campaign website: TerryHuckaby.com
-What are your top two priorities, if elected?
Growth and expansion are key issues from the districts viewpoint. From the residents, parents and taxpayer viewpoint communication and information are key issues. We have to find a way to get information to everyone and not just one group (parents). Even if that means we the district become the media center for the community.
-Why do you want to run for this elected office?
The same reason that I ran the first time. To give back to the community that I live in and to share my knowledge of the education system to make Katy ISD the best district in Texas. The main idea that I want people to understand about my candidacy is that I bring experience to the position that no one currently on the board has nor do my opponents have. I live this job as a candidate every single day as an educator. I have worked from the bottom to the top of the education spectrum as a teacher and administrator for twenty three years. I know the true daily operations and functions of the business of education. I want to ensure that the students and teacher of Katy ISD have a safe and positive environment to learn and work in.
-Development and growth have been big themes for the Katy area in recent years. How would you help plan for future growth in the area, if elected?
I have appointed three people to the Bond committee who will provide me feedback as the process takes place and I can give advice to them as well. Each board has appointed three members to the committee. I plan to use this information to keep the community informed of the process as we move forward
-In what two ways do you see yourself as an advocate for the residents you will represent if elected?
We are elected by the people to serve their interest as an overseer to the process of the functioning of the school. We as the Trustees also are responsible to the district which makes the job difficult in the eyes of the taxpayer. There is always information that we know that we can't divulge to the public for many reasons. That is where the conflict in the job begins and ends for Trustees. The biggest misconception about our job is, what actually are responsibilities the trustee. We do not have much to do with the daily operations of the school district except in setting the guidelines, goals and policies of the operation that the Superintendent then implements.
I want people to know we do listen to what you have to say and it is taken into consideration. When we make decisions it is based on information from all sources including legal advice and in the best interest of the district. Does that mean our choice it is perfect every time! No!
