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Candidates Dustin Qualls and Linda Ford are set to face off in November’s local election for Position 1 on the Klein ISD Board of Trustees.
What you need to know
The trustees make up a 7-member board that governs the district, according to the Klein ISD website. Members are elected to at-large positions for three-year terms in a non-partisan election, per the website.
Qualls, who is seeking a second term, is running against challenger Ford for the only contested seat this election cycle.
Doug James, the board president, is seeking his fourth term in Position 2 as the only candidate.
Early voting begins Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30, according to the Texas Secretary of State's website. Election day is Nov. 3 and polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Registered voters can cast their ballots at any polling location during early voting and election day.
Candidates were asked to keep responses within 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.
Why did you decide to run for this position?
My passion is the success of the Klein community that I have lived and invested in for 25 years. Community success is directly related to the education that our students receive from Klein ISD. I am running for re-election to continue the upward trajectory of Klein ISD and our community.
How will you prioritize students if you win this position?
I prioritize students by being present. In my 21 years of volunteering with Klein ISD, I have volunteered at 23 of our schools, attended upwards of 90 Board meetings, celebrated innumerable student successes, and continue to advocate for increased student funding for safety and student opportunities from the Texas Legislature.
What will your attitude toward budgeting be pertaining to balancing the district’s needs with being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars?
Budget funding that impacts the classroom, pathways for students, and teacher pay-raises will remain my priorities for each year’s budget workshopping. Through Klein ISD’s zero-based budgeting efforts, waste is identified and cut. The value of a tax dollar is more important than ever, with our current funding challenges from Austin.
With recent incidents involving students bringing weapons to school, what do you believe Klein ISD should prioritize when it comes to campus safety and prevention?
We must prioritize preemptive student and family support by identifying troubling indicators long before the decision is made by a student to bring a weapon to campus. Parental involvement and consistent engagement are key factors in a student’s success. We must be proactive in reaching our families that need help.
Why did you decide to run for this position?
After 30 years in K-12 education, I now teach students with neurodiversities in Lone Star College’s lifePATH program. I see education from both sides of graduation through two sets of lenses. I’m running to bring that perspective to the board—strengthening what we do before graduation with what we see later.
How will you prioritize students if you win this position?
I will prioritize students by leading with tomorrow in mind. Career preparation shouldn’t begin in high school—or end at graduation. I will champion strong foundations early, strengths and interest discovery in middle school, AI-resilient Career and Technical Education opportunities, and preparation for the Monday after graduation.
What will your attitude toward budgeting be pertaining to balancing the district’s needs with being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars?
Klein must meet student needs while respecting taxpayers. My SUN Governance: See It. Understand It. Navigate It. means understanding spending and identifying state, federal and alternative revenue opportunities. Before asking taxpayers for more, we should ask: Have we explored every funding source, or are we leaving money on the table?
With recent incidents involving students bringing weapons to school, what do you believe Klein ISD should prioritize when it comes to campus safety and prevention?
Safety requires both technology and awareness. I support expanding metal detectors and entry security to physically protect campuses, but people remain our primary line of defense. Klein must prioritize turning community reports into actionable safety intelligence. Metal detectors stop weapons at the door; early awareness stops them before.
