At the October 27 meeting of the Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees, district counsel Justin Graham advised that allowing all registered citizens to speak for their full three minutes could expose the Board to legal risk. He argued that because trustees received the speaker sign-ups in advance, knowing their viewpoints could make equal time for all a form of viewpoint discrimination.

That argument is incorrect. The First Amendment forbids government from treating people differently because of their viewpoint, not from allowing everyone to speak equally. Reducing time because the Board anticipates criticism is the real constitutional problem.

This particular meeting was complicated by a mistake. The district had accidentally sent confirmation emails to all registered speakers without notifying them that their speaking time would be shortened. Three board members asked that an exception be made so every person who signed up, on both sides of the issue, could keep their full three minutes. Instead, the district’s general counsel advised President Redmon that doing so could expose the Board to legal risk for viewpoint discrimination. President Redmon and Trustee Rebecca Fox sided with counsel.

As a former frequent speaker myself, I know how much time many of us spend preparing to deliver a message in those three minutes. When residents follow the rules and show up in good faith, it is only fair that the district honor its own commitments.

The recent controversy surrounding the LGBT+ event at Typhoon Texas brought people from both sides who wanted to make their case. Why wouldn’t we make an exception in moments like these to let the community speak? Silencing citizens doesn’t prevent conflict. It magnifies it. When people are denied a voice, they get louder.

Katy ISD needs to be more responsible. The simplest and most lawful path forward is to treat every speaker the same and give everyone their full time. That is how trust is built and how a community heals.

As a Katy father and small-business owner, I believe our community grows stronger when every voice is heard. I have spent years working with Katy families, business owners, and community leaders who care deeply about our schools. We may not always agree, but we all want transparency and respect. 

I hope the district learns from this moment and recommits to fairness and open dialogue. If you share these concerns, I encourage you to respectfully email the Board Secretary (debrajroachdavies@katyisd.org) and ask that your comments be shared with all trustees. Let them know the community expects fairness, openness, and accountability. And if you are a constitutional lawyer who can provide substantive counsel to the Board or its general counsel, please consider offering your guidance.