On April 14 the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the second of its candidate forums – this one for hopefuls seeking positions on Katy ISD’s board of trustees. The event, held at Katy High School at 6331 Highway Blvd. in Katy, focused on board governance and was moderated by Jason Burdine, a former trustee of Fort Bend ISD. Position 3 candidate Haider Razvi and Position 5 candidate Nathan Shipley did not attend the forum; Shipley sent in written remarks for his introduction which were read by Burdine.

“In Texas, school boards do not manage districts – they govern them,” said Burdine in his opening remarks. “That distinction matters – governance is about clarity of vison, alignment of leadership and accountability for results.” The forum was about how the candidates would function as part of a governance team, he said.

Following candidate introductions, candidates were asked about their understanding of the “team of eight” concept and how they envisioned the board of trustees working alongside the superintendent as a governance team. Position 3 candidate Sean Hesterly, a teacher in CyFair ISD who formerly taught in Katy, said trustees would have to hear each other and work together through compromise and that communication was the key. Position 3 candidate Cicely Taylor, who has spent years working in various aspects of education, said that the concept meant that the board members could have great but respectful debate and then would need to show up as a unified team without outside influences, to support the superintendent so that the district in turn would be successful. Position 4 candidate Tiffany Auzenne Asonye, a banker, said that the concept means that no one operates unilaterally and that conflict was okay as long as it was respectful and heathy. The board sets the policy and then evaluates the superintendent’s execution of that policy, she said. Nonprofit leader David Greene, running for position 4, said the board is elected and responsible to the teachers, students and community, but that the role of the board is to “set the tone” and to get along and work together. Position 4 candidate Jim Davidson, a geologist and businessman, said that the team of eight is what helps to fulfill the “ultimate mission” which is achieving quality student outcomes. Disagreement is a sign of a healthy team when it is done well, he said. Position 5 candidate Caleb Silverio, an HCC student and retail workers, said that he wanted to ensure that the superintendent is held accountable and that the team was “not about politics.” Position 5 candidate Jesus Nieto, a community organizer, said he believed that having diverse voices led to good policy outcomes, and that difficult conversations might be necessary, “but at the end of the day, we’re going to have to have each other’s back.”

Candidates were then asked what they knew about Texas’ framework for school board development and how they would use it to guide their effectiveness as a trustee. Taylor said that framework was based on the major responsibilities of a trustee, which are to guiding the vison of the district, hiring the superintendent, being the voice of the people, and ensuring that outcomes are being met, and that it meant that the board was accountable for holding the superintendent accountable for ensuring that

goals are met while ensuring transparency and that the community is heard. Hesterly said it was the first time he had heard of the framework, but that these were the guiding principles that every board member needed to follow, including continuous improvement. Greene said this framework “lets us know how to do the job of trustee.” Davidson said, as a process-driven person, he was grateful for “the playbook,” which lays out visions and goals and systems and processes to accomplish those goals while setting out measurements for progress and also includes advocacy. Asonye said the framework was one of the first things she read after deciding to run for the board, and that measurable outcomes were needed based on its five pillars to ensure that it was being followed. Nieto said he would use the framework for the work he would be doing alongside his colleagues on the board. Silverado said the framework was vague but that the team needed to hold each other accountable and that the role of the trustee included being sure that the voices of the community were heard.

The third question asked for the candidates for their definition of “alignment” and how it was critical for improving student outcomes. Nieto said that he wanted to make sure that the conversation shifted to student success and that there were a handful of schools that needed more assistance to be aligned with the rest of the district. Silverio said that it meant holding everyone accountable and providing the right resources and curriculum. Davidson said alignment was not agreement, but a disciplined unity around priorities,” going back to the goals and vision and ensuring it is shared through every corner of the district, inspiring the students, teachers and community. Asonye said alignment is the “district’s marching orders,” with goals and expected outcomes clearly communicated “so that the systems don’t stall.” Greene said that TEA sets standards and it was the role of the board to meet those requirements, aligning strategy for each school according to its needs. Taylor said that alignment meant bringing the mission and vision to the people “with crystal-clear clarity on what it is that we are aiming for” and including input and the right structure and support. Hesterly said alignment meant moving closer to the ideal of student success and that it included consensus and compromise.

Other subjects covered at the forum included questions on advocacy and government relations, as well as the role of leadership in combatting external pressures such local politics and social media. Candidates were also asked about the adoption of deficit budgets by other area school districts and how they would balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining high student outcomes.

The forum may be viewed in its entirety at https://www.facebook.com/katychamber/videos/796330723246289.