Local business owner and former pastor Lance Redmon, who has served on the Katy ISD board of trustees in Position 2 since May 2019, is seeking his third term on the school board. Running against Redmon are Katy ISD teacher Tammy Reed and nonprofit foundation executive Khristopher Fields. The Katy Times posed the same questions to each candidate; candidates’ responses are listed with the incumbent first and then in the order in which they filed. Fields is running as a write-in candidate. Answers were subject to editing for length and clarity and to conform with Associated Press stylebook standards.

· What led to your decision to run for the school board?

REDMON: Katy ISD is a special place! It has been such a blessing to my family. I chose to run for a third term because I believe that I still have more to offer our district. As a parent of three current Katy ISD students and as a business owner, I want to make sure that all our children have the best opportunities to succeed.

REED: I decided to run for the school board because we need to have teacher representation on the board.

FIELDS: I’ve watched too many students fall through the cracks while the people in charge defended a system that works for some, but not for all. I didn’t run because I’ve done this before—I ran because I haven’t. And that’s the point. I see things others overlook. I bring the perspective of someone who’s been in classrooms as a mentor, not a manager. I’ve earned trust without a title. I got tired of decisions being made without people like me in the room. So I showed up—to be the one who doesn’t owe the system anything but honesty.

· What unique qualifications do you bring to the position?

REDMON: The most unique qualification that I bring to this position is experience. As a business owner, the main responsibility I have is leading my team and making tough decisions. As John Maxwell says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership,” which implies that the culture and behavior of our board impacts everything the district does. As an experienced Master Trustee, I have the training and experience to understand the role of a trustee and how every decision we make impacts our students, staff, and community. I believe those two roles allow me to bring a unique perspective to the board.

REED: I bring 26 years as a Texas teacher who has worked for several school districts in and around Houston, including 9 years at Mayde Creek High School. I have worked on amazing campuses and seen wonderful programs that have really enhanced student learning.

FIELDS: I’ve never held office. I don’t have the traditional path. But I’ve helped over 170 students earn national awards—without a district title, without a salary, and without a team. I’ve mentored kids through trauma, helped families no one else would call back, and built partnerships with brands like

Google, Microsoft and Walmart through sheer persistence. What qualifies me is that I don’t wait for approval to lead. I see what’s broken and I build something better. I’m not coming to the board to learn how things have always been done. I’m coming to question why they’re still done that way. I bring a new lens—one rooted in grassroots leadership, trusted by youth, and respected by educators. I’m not a career politician—I’m a boots-on-the-ground problem solver who connects big vision with daily reality.

· What are your three top priorities – and concrete plans -- for Katy ISD for the next two years?

REDMON: 1. School funding: We are continuing our advocacy plan for the rest of this legislative session with at least two more trips to the capitol. 2. Teacher recruitment and retention: I believe we should start with teachers and work with them. 3. A Healthy boardroom: The culture in the boardroom should match the performance of our district. Implementing an objective board self assessment, then creating a plan based on that feedback would be essential to providing a world class education to our students.

REED: My three top priorities are teacher retention, giving every student the support necessary to be successful, well-informed citizens, and allowing librarians and teachers to follow state laws for literature choices.

FIELDS: One: Make the budget public and readable. Line by line. No more hiding behind jargon. Two: Protect teachers from burnout. That means voting against policies that overload them with busy work. Three: Recognize students for growth—not just perfect scores. I’ve already done this in the community with nothing but willpower. I’ll do it inside the system with strategy. I’m not running to sit quietly or adjust things slightly. I’m running to bring fresh systems, bold oversight, and ideas that others haven’t thought of. Not because I’m reckless—but because I’m not trapped by the way it’s always been.

· How do you plan to address budgetary issues and the shortfall in state funding?

REDMON: I wish it was a simple answer! First, our board must continue to work with our phenomenal finance and leadership team in the district. They are incredibly diligent and highly conservative operators. The second is a long-term plan started four years ago. We have been making our legislative process more concrete. We start by hearing from our community with our trustee listening circles, use that information to create legislative priorities, then communicate those priorities to our legislators. Over the past two legislative sessions, we have increased our organization and community involvement.

REED: I believe working with teachers to make curriculum choices that align with state standards will help much more than expensive programs and curriculum resources that our teachers don’t use. We need to spend our funds on our students and teacher salaries. We need to aggressively support adequate funding for public schools at the state level as well. Let’s make cuts to unnecessary expenses like in house council and twice-month board meetings.

FIELDS: First, I’ll expose waste. If the district is spending thousands on fluff while teachers pay out-of-pocket, that’s not a funding issue—it’s a leadership one. I’ll ask the questions others won’t and push for full public accountability. Second, I’ll raise new funds. I’ve already secured thousands from corporate partners. I don’t need a title to do it—I need strategy and boldness, both of which I have. Last, I’ll fight

for better from the state—but I won’t wait on the legislature to do right by our kids. We’ll build smarter systems with what we have and make sure it reaches classrooms.

· How do you plan to address teacher shortages and teacher retention?

REDMON: Our district has worked towards it in many ways. The first was creating our own certification program. We had over 100 people start the program this past year! This is allowing us to help the great talent we have in our district to advance their careers in to the classroom. Although a flawed program, we will have our first Teacher Incentive Allotment payments going out this year.

REED: Working with our education professionals will also help with teacher retention. Especially when we make sure our teachers are getting their planning time and the Special Education support that the law requires us to give them.

FIELDS: I don’t need a study to tell me why teachers are leaving—I’ve heard it straight from them. They’re tired of being used and thanked in the same breath. Pay raises are part of the fix, but so is respect, and that starts with policy. I’ll vote against anything that wastes their time. I’ll build systems that give them more voice. And I’ll say what others won’t: We can’t fix student outcomes without fixing adult working conditions. Teachers shouldn’t have to burn out to prove they care. I’ll protect them like my job depends on them—because it does.

· How do you plan to address student achievement?

REDMON: Katy ISD continues to exceed state and national standards when it comes to student achievement. We have to continue to make data-driven decisions to determine where to focus. We have implemented a new ELAR (English Language Arts and Reading) program over the past two years. We should start seeing the results of this change soon. Another way is to continue to add opportunities for our students, whether new CTE pathways, or new class options.

REED: I believe Katy ISD is doing a good job closing the achievement gap, especially among low socioeconomic groups, as we are one of only nine districts in the state to be awarded the Texas Honor Role designation at 27 campuses in Katy ISD. When something is working it can always be improved, but we don’t need to reinvent the wheel when we are already doing well.

FIELDS: Achievement is more than data. I’ve worked with students who showed up while grieving, who translated for their parents, who walked through violence and still submitted their homework. Those students are achieving—but no one sees it. I do. That’s why I created recognition programs outside the district that honored growth, grit, and resilience. I’ll bring that mindset to Katy ISD. I’ll also push for more career training, dual credit, and mentorship so students don’t just learn—they launch. Some students will go to college. Some won’t. But every student deserves to leave this system with confidence and direction.

· How do you plan to engage parents and the community in supporting KISD?

REDMON: I will continue to champion our listening circles and seek to expand their use to other opportunities. While they have initially been used during our legislative cycle, they have encouraged me

to see participants not just learn why things are happening, but they are having the opportunity to connect with people who can help them with issues.

REED: We need to create community school partnerships to give our students more internships, technical skills, and creative problem-solving opportunities that can help us to empower them as citizens. Good schools and active parents are the heart of good communities, and speaking with our parents, students, and teachers is key to creating our neighborhood culture.

FIELDS: I’m not here to invite people to more meetings they don’t have time for. That’s not engagement—that’s a performance. Real engagement is when parents know what’s happening before it affects their kids, when they feel like their concerns lead to action—not just applause. I’ll cut through the noise and speak plainly about what the board is voting on, where the money is going, and how decisions impact real families. I’m not asking for photo ops. I’m building trust. That starts with showing up when there’s no camera and speaking up when no one else will.

· What are the top two reasons that voters should cast their votes for you?

REDMON: 1. Strategic thinking and leadership skills from my experience as a business owner and Master Trustee. My decisions benefit our students, staff, and community. 2. Commitment to community and collaboration. As a lifelong Katy resident, parent of three current students, and husband of a former teacher, I am deeply invested in our schools’ success. I foster a collaborative environment and advocate for fair state funding, ensuring excellence and opportunity for everyone.

REED: Two reasons Katy citizens should vote for me are that I am a student advocate who believes all students deserve equitable educational opportunities, and that teachers are professionals who are trained to educate their students.

FIELDS: First: I’m not from the political world. That’s exactly why I see what others miss. I’m not here to blend in—I’m here to bring a totally different kind of leadership. Second: I’ve already done what others said wasn’t possible. I’ve helped kids earn national recognition without district support. I’ve built systems from scratch. I’ve gained endorsements from elected officials, not by asking—but by showing up. I don’t have the experience people expect. But I have the mindset, the momentum, and the mission this board desperately needs. If voters want business as usual—I’m not their guy. If they want bold? I’m it.

· What else should readers of the Katy Times know about you, your candidacy and your vision for Katy ISD?

REDMON: My vision for Katy ISD includes fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where all voices are heard and respected. I believe in the power of community engagement and transparency to build trust and drive positive change. By focusing on student achievement, supporting our educators, and advocating for an increase in state funding, we can continue to uphold our district’s reputation for excellence and create a brighter future for all.

REED: I knew the first day of kindergarten that I wanted to be a teacher, but I was not able to get my education until my mid-thirties. I love my job, but I am worried about what is happening to our schools in Texas. We need to work together to keep Katy ISD one of the premier school districts in the state.

FIELDS: I’m a write-in. I’m not on the ballot. I didn’t enter this race with money, endorsements, or a long resume. But I entered it because I imagine a world where the vast majority of students wake up every day feeling inspired, safe at school, and truly fulfilled at the end of the day—and I’m running to make that vision real for every student in Katy ISD. This isn’t about a seat—it’s about a shift. I represent the students, teachers, and families who’ve been politely ignored. I’m not polished—but I’m prepared. And if you're tired of the same kinds of candidates doing the same kinds of things, then maybe it’s time to try something different. Write in Kris Fields.