A long, hard-fought battle on all sides finally came to a close on May 3 as votes were tallied in Katy ISD’s school board election. Recently retired Katy ISD educator James Cross won Position 1 with 58 per cent of the vote, displacing current board president Victor Perez. Trustee Lance Redmon, the incumbent in Position 2, defeated two newcomers to retain his position, capturing 75 per cent of ballots cast.

Unofficial voting results for the May 2025 Katy ISD Board of Trustees Election were released by the district as follows:

Position 1 Candidates

· Victor Perez: Unofficial Voting Total – 7,561 votes (41.94%)

· James Cross: Unofficial Voting Total – 10,465 votes (58.06%)


Position 2 Candidates

· Tammy Reed: Unofficial Voting Total – 3,541 votes (21.20%)

· Lance Redmon: Unofficial Voting Total – 12,589 votes (75.37%)

· Kris Fields (write-in candidate): Unofficial Voting Total – 572 votes (3.42%)


In an email to the Katy Times, Perez said: "I am very grateful for my family, supporters and volunteers who sacrificed and gave so much of their time and treasure. Over the past three years I have met and gotten to know many parents and dedicated, wonderful teachers. We have a good school district. However, I did not come out of retirement to just take up a seat on the board and ‘go along to get along,’ but to be a change agent to improve Katy ISD -- improve the job satisfaction of teachers, protect our children, and be a voice for parents. I intend to stay engaged and hold this new board accountable."

Other candidates released statements on Facebook.

On his own Facebook page, Position 2 winner Lance Redmon said in part: “I’m incredibly honored and thrilled to have been elected to a third term on the Katy ISD School Board! This wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering prayers, support, encouragement, and love from this amazing community. I’m truly thankful.” Redmond also thanked his opponents Reed and Fields for carrying themselves “with integrity, respect, and a shared love for our schools.” Redmon also thanked Perez for his time and service to the community and wished him the best in “whatever comes next.”

Posting on the Katy Education Advocates page, Position 1 winner James Cross thanked the KEA for their support of his campaign. “I learned very quickly that it takes a village to have any chance of success. I’m most proud that our village included people from all walks of life,” the statement read in part. “I will do my best to work hard for our kiddos and their families.”

Write-in candidate Khris Fields expressed his appreciation for the outcome in a post on the “Stand Up for Katy ISD” page. In part, Fields said, “I celebrate these incredible men,” he said. “This is a great outcome for Katy ISD and I am honored to have shared the stage with such strong principled leaders.”

Also thanking voters on the same Facebook page was Position 2 candidate Tammy Reed, who said: “Congratulations to James and Lance. It was a victory for Katy ISD’s children. I appreciate the support and encouragement I received from everyone and am thankful to have gained the trust of so many. Now we can move ahead and focus on educating all of our students and remove political rhetoric and outside PAC influence from our elections.”

Cross and Redmon will be sworn in at the May 12 meeting of the school board.