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.
Cyndi Lawrence
Age: 44
Occupation: Small Business Owner. I own an Insurance Agency
Years in the Katy area: 17 years
Campaign website: www.cyndilawrence4katy.com
-What are your top two priorities, if elected?
As a military mom of three, two attending schools in Katy ISD and one currently serving in Afghanistan, education and safety of the students will always be priority to me .
-Why do you want to run for this elected office?
Although their hearts are in the right place, I believe at times that the districts priorities are not in the best interest for the education and safety of our kids. Three years ago KISD laid off teachers and two years ago got rid of buses in a 2 mile radius to only push for a second stadium the current school year. Katy ISD families deserve more than a status quo candidate and that is why I am running.
-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?
Growth is essential to Katy and I will always encourage other means of funding for future growth that will not increase KISD property taxes. My "think outside of the box" mentality will help to achieve our growth goals without passing the bill to our children. I am mindful of the need to fund our schools because of our incredible growth here in Katy and will be pro-active and not re-active on planning for our future.
-In what two ways do you see yourself as an advocate for the residents you will represent if elected?
As one of KISD strongest opponents against the recent controversial 2013 $69 Million Bond. I will be bring a fresh look at fiscal conservatism back to KISD by reminding the school district that the money comes from the taxpayers and eduction should always be the priority.
Henry Dibrell* (incumbent)
Age: 46
Occupation: Executive Director Amobi Okoye Foundation
Years in the Katy area: 8
Campaign website: votedibrell.com
-What are your top two priorities, if elected?
Provide meaningful educational opportunities for every child.
Expand Miller Career Center to include work force ready programs.
Initiate ROTC programs on additional high school campuses to provide access to more students.
Provide opportunities for students to engage in innovative and imaginative learning experiences in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. (S.T.E.M.)
Create and sustain an Early College High School that allows students to earn a high school diploma and an Associate Degree or college hours toward a College Degree. This option would provide students least likely to attend college an opportunity to earn college hours along with a great financial savings for their parents.
Increase opportunities for community engagement and two-way communication.
Find creative ways like "The Exchange" to meet and hear from our community
Continue to attend district and community events to hear what is important to all residents of Katy ISD.
-Why do you want to run for this elected office?
Over the past three years, I have worked hard to help insure that every child in Katy ISD has an opportunity to succeed and accomplish their goals. We can't guarantee equal outcomes but we can work to guarantee equal opportunity for all students. I want all of our children to have every opportunity possible to succeed in life. My family and I feel that as our district continues to face rapid growth and a challenge to maintain and expand our Katy level of academic excellence my continued leadership is needed, that is why I'm running for reelection. I want to continue to bring a fresh perspective, fresh ideas, and positive, solutions based approach to address the challenges ahead.
-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 must maintain our strong financial position by making informed, responsible financial decisions, and work with the business community to expand our business tax base.
As we continue to grow we will need to make sound, studied financial decisions to maintain our strong financial position.
We must work with business to expand opportunity and success there by maximizing our business tax base.
-In what two ways do you see yourself as an advocate for the residents you will represent if elected?
We have two sets of residents we must be concerned about first, the students for them we need to fight for academic achievement coupled with extracurricular programs to insure student success
The Taxpayer the ones paying the bills, we need to strengthen Katy ISD financially, work with business to expand our business tax base. We need to make responsible decisions with every dollar spent.
