Position 6
Travis Moffatt
Why did you decide to run for a position on the school board?
I’ve been approached a few different times by individuals over the past few years to run. It’s another way for me to serve the community and the children. There are a lot of things in the [Magnolia] area that I’ve tried to do. I love watching kids succeed.
What makes you a qualified candidate for the board?
I started my own practice 14 years ago. We started [small], and now we’ve got four doctors and several patients every day, so I’ve had a lot of growth within the business. I think Magnolia is in a similar situation on a much bigger scale, so hopefully I have a unique perspective on seeing the growth and being able to help them with that.
If elected, what are some of your top priorities you hope to accomplish as a board member?
Because I have two kids, I have a vested interest in the school district. So if there’s something that can help kids succeed better in life, or if there’s something that’s not in the best interest of the children, then I want to address those things. [My family] moved to Magnolia for the schools, and we have not been disappointed.
What are some of the top issues facing the district this year?
One of the biggest things that the board is in charge of is the budget, and with growth comes cost. We need to find how to look at the growth through a financial lens and find what’s best. If it’s going to cost more money, then how are we going to raise more money? That’s always a sensitive subject with everybody with tax rates and money, but I think that [growth] will be the biggest challenge.
Jim Spigener
Jim Spigener is an eight-year Magnolia resident who is senior vice president for consulting firm Behavioral Science Technology Inc. His daughter worked in MISD for 11 years, and three of his grandchildren have graduated from or are now enrolled in the district.
Why did you decide to run for a position on the school board?
I’ve been in the business industry for 45 years, and I’d really like to give back to the community. This is a great way to do it. The kids today [who] are in school are going to be running this place [someday], and [I] really want to make sure they get started on the right foot.
What makes you a qualified candidate for the board?
I worked for [many] of the Fortune 500 companies. I’ve advised senior executives on how to create a learning environment in the workplace. I don’t think the school systems or any part of the government should be run much differently than how we run a business. Making the best use of resources and making an environment where people can excel makes sense.
If elected, what are some of your top priorities you hope to accomplish as a board member?
My very first priority, given what’s going on in the world, is safety and making sure that there’s a safe environment for kids. I want to make sure that resources get used really wisely and there are enough resources for the schools to function properly. I’d like to be an ear for the community.
What are some of the top issues facing the district this year?
We have a community that is growing like crazy, and there’s a fairly significant influx of people [moving] here, meaning that the school district could be poised for greater growth than it [has] seen in the past. Magnolia has a lot of schools that are in the recognized and excellent categories, and keeping that momentum going and making sure that we really do focus on academics first is a big deal to me.
IMPORTANT DATES
Voter registration deadline: April 9
First day of in-person early voting: April 27
Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked): April 30
Last day of in-person early voting: May 5
ELECTION DAY: May 9, 2015
Registering to vote
Harris County
Find a registration form online at: www.hctax.net/voter/registrationPaper registration forms are available at any Harris County Tax Office branch,8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri., or by calling 713-368-8683.
Montgomery County
Find a registration form online at: www.mctx.org/election
Paper registration forms are available at the Election Administrator’s Office at
9159 Airport Road, Conroe, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., or by calling 936-539-7843.
Local Elections
Magnolia City Council, Position 3
Richard Carby is running unopposed and has been declared elected to a second term.
MISD board of trustees, position 7
Chuck Adcox is running unopposed and has been declared elected to a second term.
Tomball city council, positions 2, 4
The city of Tomball has canceled its May 9 election since each of the candidates ran unopposed.
$350 million mobility bond referendum
Montgomery County voters will have an opportunity to cast their ballots either for or against the proposed bond that is projected to fund 77 mobility projects in the four precincts.
