**UPDATE BELOW
Katy ISD began accepting applications for the May 8 school board election on Feb. 8. As of Mar. 3, two candidates were signed up to run for the board.
The deadline to file is Monday, March 8 at 5 p.m. in the Education Support Complex, 6301 S. Stadium Lane. Katy Adams has applications available in room 1200 if any of you are interested.
Henry Dibrell, who has lived in Katy ISD for about four years, has filed for Position 1. This position is currently held by Joe M. Adams. Dibrell, 42, is employed as a minister, according to his application.
Adams, who has served on the board for more than 20 years, was first elected in 1989. He has not filed for this year's election so far.
UPDATE
Incumbent Position 1 Trustee Joe Adams filed an application reelection at 10 a.m. Thursday. Adams, 57, is a businessowner who has lived in the district for 23 years.
Rebecca Fox, the Position 2 incumbent, has filed for reelection. Fox, 52, has resided in Katy ISD for 12 years. She lists her occupation as a motivational speaker.
Fox, who is married with two children, was elected to the board in 2004.
We will be doing in-depth profiles on all the candidates and there will be forums later in the election cycle.
Trustees do not have term limits and serve three-year terms once elected.
For additional information contact either Bill Haskett, Katy ISD elections administrator, at 281 396-2615 or Kathy Adams at 281 396-2341.
Dibrell has a Facebook fan page (Henry Dirbrell for KISD) that you can check out - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Henry-Dibrell-for-KISD/464607795541
To date 51 fans are signed up. Dibrell bills himself as a conservation candidate and his campaign slogan reads, “Restore representative government in the Katy Independent School District.”
Are there any hot button issues you would you like the candidates to address for the public? Should Joe Adams run for reelection?
Readers are solely responsible for the content of the comments they post here. Comments are subject to the site's terms and conditions of use and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or approval of the Houston Chronicle.
Comments
I'd like to see Ross Raymond's name on there again... even
I'd like to see Ross Raymond's name on there again... even though I know how disheartening it is when only 3% of the population shows up to vote.
I'd just like to see more of our fine Katy area residents taking
I'd just like to see more of our fine Katy area residents taking part in this election in any way, shape, or form! Come to formums, meet the candidates, and ask the tough questions so you can make an informed decision.
Inside Katy
Joe Adams files for reelection-- UPDATE Incumbent Position 1
Joe Adams files for reelection--
UPDATE
Incumbent Position 1 Trustee Joe Adams filed an application reelection at 10 a.m. Thursday. Adams, 57, is a businessowner who has lived in the district for 23 years.
Inside Katy
Joe Adams is a great example of someone who should not be
Joe Adams is a great example of someone who should not be allowed to run due to term limits, at the very least. His length of time on the board is just ridiculous. Who does he think he is? The Ted Kennedy of Katy? What is his legacy going to be here? A giant scoreboard at Rhodes/Adams stadium or another civic center named after him this time? Another fine example of the political machine and someone addicted to its power at work.
I guess Joe does not feel his 21 years on the Board have given
I guess Joe does not feel his 21 years on the Board have given him time to accomplish his agenda, and Ms. Fox needs nine years to get things really rolling! Give me a break!
I have a few predictions:
The press will invite all the candidates to participate in an unscripted Q&A and neither of the incumbents will fully take part without pre-conditions on subject matter.
Neither incumbent will accept questions and give full responses to questions about the district's finances going forward including a discussion of changing our tax rate, our operating budget or how we plan to pay down our debt.
Neither incumbent will be in favor of putting a cap on the amount of money the Board can spend on capital accounts without getting voter approval. I reference the "slush" fund of money built into every bond request the enjoy maxing out on their "wish lists."
Neither incumbent will tell us exactly why we need to keep them around for three more years beyond, "I have experience" which did not stop them from running for office in the first place and proclaim they were the person for the job.
Neither incumbent will agree to come before the community on a regular basis via town hall meetings or even agree to come and talk to the local Rotary club about what is happening in the district.
Neither incumbent will support using the existing district technology to "pod cast" school board meetings or live stream the meetings.
Neither incumbent will agree to spend LESS time in executive session where all the real discussion is for every topic including the ones which do NOT require a closed door session.
Neither incumbent will agree to let the press into the small meeting room for all discussion other than that which REQUIRES a closed door meeting.
Neither incumbent will support moving the public comment section to earlier in the meeting format as opposed to the current one of inviting everyone to leave “as it has been a long day,” take a long recess, and then reconvene to an almost empty room for the comments.
Neither incumbent will support the notion of placing questions directly to the voters even as non binding referendums attached to the annual BOT elections.
Neither incumbent can show one thing they are responsible for doing in all their years of Board service which moved our district forward, just voting for something is not sufficient, taking initiative to uncover and solve our problems, or suggest positive programs going forward is what we need.
Neither incumbent will support a strong board and will continue to rely on the superintendent to dictate the agenda, and even participate in the board meeting.
Neither incumbent will support moving the superintendent's seat to a place other than at the left hand of the Board president.
Neither incumbent............... need I go on?
These same comments apply to at least four other members as the verdict is still out on Mr. Howard.
If either incumbent coming before us asking for our vote is sincere, I respectfully suggest some of these items can begin with the NEXT Board meeting as Joe is the sitting president. If this requires a Board vote and the two of them can't move two other members to support more disclosure, then it would seem even with experience, they don't have much sway and certainly can't do anything to help us in the next 36 months. Can they?
Just wondering-- You still have a few more days to put your
Just wondering--
You still have a few more days to put your application in for the board election.
Inside Katy
Here is the question that I want either candidate to answer. If
Here is the question that I want either candidate to answer. If either answers the question correctly, then they get my vote. (Yes, I will be voting in the election in May. No, I will not be on the ballot.)
How will the next board member cope with overcrowding at SLHS? Are they going to continue with the inadequate Band-Aid solutions they have been using up to this point? Are they going to continue with the inadequate solution, which is to try to simply "re-zone" their way out of the problem? Or are they going to take the necessary step, which is to build KISD High School #7?
(p.s., how many people showed up on Monday, for the meetings for folks to claim VOEs? Did the Chronicle cover this at all? I don't see any stories on this.)
If either answers the question correctly, they get my vote. If both answer correctly, well, I will come up with others questions.
(For example, will you revise the asinine disciplinary policies of this district? These policies seem to protect the district, not students. If a kid can be sent to A-School for possesion of a pencil sharpener, then you disciplinary policy is a joke.)
spartans, what is your profession?
I'd also like to see Ross on there
I'd also like to see Ross on there
timothygray, I most certainly did follow up on the VOE's and I
timothygray,
I most certainly did follow up on the VOE's and I have a blog ready to post on it right now.
Inside Katy
timothygray, I most certainly did follow up on the VOE's and I
timothygray,
I most certainly did follow up on the VOE's and I have a blog ready to post on it right now.
Inside Katy
You can tell who some of these commentators are by their
You can tell who some of these commentators are by their "manifesto" style of writing and worn-out talking points! Can't hide behind a pseudoname!
True. It's the same way we can recognize those who unfailingly
True. It's the same way we can recognize those who unfailingly approve of every decision and action of the school board and KISD administration. Recognizable or not, it's a great way to initiate different topics for debate. Sometimes our differing opinions even meet in the (near) middle - except when Helen "moderates" the conversation using her powerful media position to suit her personal opinion.....
JUST KIDDING HELEN! I think those that follow and actually read your blogs posts can see that barring vulgarity, everything pretty much gets posted, no matter how "lackey-ish" or "conspiracist" they get.
At this point, I am keeping an open mind on all three
At this point, I am keeping an open mind on all three candidates, as well as any who file at the last minute.
Even though I didn't read all of just wondering's lengthy post, I got the idea after a few statements. I must say that I agree. In the last school board election, I noticed that the incumbent did not participate in the public forums to the extent that his opponent did. Therefore, since I didn't know his stance on issues, I voted against him.
So, if the incumbents are reading this, please note that you need to show that you are interested in your voters, as I'm sure there are other people like me who will otherwise assume you aren't.
I'm Not Julie
That is why I don't use a "pseudoname" in this forum. My name is
That is why I don't use a "pseudoname" in this forum. My name is my name, and my opinion is my opinion. And I don't care if my opinion is popular or not. I am too old to care.
spartans, what is your profession?
Tim, I truly, truly, truly hope that your honesty doesn't come
Tim, I truly, truly, truly hope that your honesty doesn't come back to bite you through your children. I've seen it happen on more than one occasion with this administration, so please be vigilant in that regard. I would hate for ANYONE'S kids to have to pay for their parents' opinions, especially when they aren't in line with the decision-makers of KISD.
I choose not to use my name on this blog. So what? You will
I choose not to use my name on this blog. So what? You will have to believe me when I say that Mr. Frailey, the Board, and the administration at my child's school know who I am. That's all that matters.
I'm Not Julie
Tim, it seems there are only three persons who use these boards
Tim, it seems there are only three persons who use these boards who don't hide behind a pair of initials. I applaude the fact you are willing to go on the record, wish more folks would.
You are not too old to file for a board race before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, I hope you will give it serious consideration.
Honestly, nothing I have said in this forum should invite any
Honestly, nothing I have said in this forum should invite any retaliation. I have given legitimate criticism of this district, its board, and its employees. All my comments have been constructive and positive in nature. My comments have always been directed towards the best interest of the students in this district.
Sorry, if the invites retaliation, I don't care. Bring it on.
spartans, what is your profession?
Timothy, I agree that you're criticisms of the district have
Timothy,
I agree that you're criticisms of the district have always been for the what you believe is the best interests for your children. That is absolutely your right, and I've agreed with you on a number of them. However, when you criticize KISD at all, you are putting your children in the crosshairs - ESPECIALLY if your criticism is fair and accurate. Why? Because that's who can actually be reached by the decisionmakers. KISD isn't known for having compassion for anyone that doesn't go along with their agenda - except for the occasional PR photo op / news release. I've seen it happen on several occasions and I hope to never have to see it happen again to anyone's kids here in the district.
I have never heard of the district taking action against a
I have never heard of the district taking action against a student for a parent speaking out but that is just my personal experience. If true this would represent a new low.
I have first hand knowledge of the district pulling the "you won't have a job if the bond does not pass" card. In a previous bond request employees were told if the bond failed they could expect layoffs. To counter this some tried to let employees know a capital request had nothing to do with the operating budget, but the genie was already out of the bottle. Even so the request just squeaked by.
For the record KISD employees, if a bond request fails it is not a referendum on jobs, it is a vote on bricks and mortar. We still need your services to teach, clean, serve, etc. and believe me the taxes are still being collected to meet the payroll.
JW.... You never will hear of any retaliatory actions taken
JW....
You never will hear of any retaliatory actions taken against students whose parents disagree with or criticize KISD. It would have to be something you witness firsthand or through trusted acquaintances and friendships. The actions are not dissimilar to those used in corporate America to rid itself of unwanted employees without having to fire them. It's a systemic pattern of "discomfort" being thrust upon students until they (or their parents) become full supporters of the district.
I've seen it happen in seven cases: 3 left the district within 2 months (2 of the 3 kids were ELEMENTARY KIDS); 2 transferred to other campuses within KISD and ended up graduating with 2 newly-muted parents; 2 attempted to use the grievance process against the administrators spearheading the "discomfort" drive; any guesses as to how those turned out? Yes, it became 2 more former students (both of these students actually graduated in the top 10 of their classes in a nearby district at schools AT LEAST as competitive academically as any HS in Katy ISD).
So again, I hope that it never happens again. I am thankful that for the most part all of my children have had fairly uneventful educational careers here. But I can't tell you how excited I am to be very near the end of our run.
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