On Nov. 5, voters will decide who will be elected to Position 4 of the Conroe ISD board of trustees.
The details
Incumbent Datren Williams is running against opponents Nicole May and Jasmine Gentle. Williams has been on the board since November 2012.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
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Editor's note: The image accompanying this story was updated to include a second candidate photo.
Datren Williams
Nicole May
Jamison Gentle
Datren Williams
Experience: CISD board of trustees; Montgomery County Women’s Center board of directors
Occupation: CFO, CPA
Candidate Website: https://www.facebook.com/Datren4CISD
Contact Information: [emailprotected]
Why are you running for Conroe ISD board of trustees?
If re-elected I will continue to safeguard CISD exemplary schools by: 1. Placing our kids first in all we do. 2. Equip our educators and administrators with the resources needed to be successful 3. Maintain a conservative fiscal policy with the resources of district taxpayers.
What qualifications do you think make you the best candidate?
CISD board of trustees president; CISD Finance and Audit Committee board president; Montgomery County Women’s Center board of directors; chief financial officer and Texas certified public accountant; my wife and educator in CISD for over 20 years; three sons as products of CISD; I continue to put our children first…
What are the main challenges the district is now facing and how would you plan to address them?
Challenges: growth of our district, lack of state funding and school board members’ overreach. We continuously plan for our consistent growth and maintain an exemplary education for all students. Appeal to our legislatures of what is at risk in not funding our public schools. Continuously combat political and personal agendas.
Are there any projects or policies you’d like to see introduced or changed in the district?
Our culture as a large school district experiencing consistent growth is to always improve in all that we do to best serve our children. We strive to provide an exemplary education to all students. This requires an ongoing self-assessment of our policies and projects to achieve the best outcomes.
What are your suggestions for the district’s legislative priorities for the legislative<br>session beginning in January?
Oppose public school vouchers which divert public resources to private enterprises. Fund public schools and ensure our educators receive competitive pay for their invaluable contributions. Prevent the attack of our public schools by political entrepreneurs opposed to public education seeking to sow division at the expense of our children.
Nicole May
Experience: business management
Occupation: education-specific legislative advocacy
Candidate Website: https://www.nicoleforcisd.com
Why are you running for Conroe ISD board of trustees?
I am running to help improve learning outcomes, ensure parental empowerment is a priority and to support teachers. As a liaison, my goal is to amplify the voices of parents and facilitate effective communication, ultimately fostering a stronger partnership between the community and the district.
What qualifications do you think make you the best candidate?
I am an advocate at heart, and have dedicated myself to championing the rights and needs of our most vulnerable student populations. As a member of The Dyslexia Coalition, I played a vital role in passing legislation that identifies and serves dyslexic students.
What are the main challenges the district is now facing and how would you plan to address them?
The main challenges the district faces are teacher retention, balancing the budget and improving learning outcomes. I would address these challenges by strengthening our discipline policy, protecting class sizes and all positions that work directly with students, and placing the focus back on reading, writing and arithmetic.
Are there any projects or policies you'd like to see introduced or changed in the district?
I will be laser focused on improving learning outcomes, specifically for our most vulnerable student populations. Currently 43% of our third-graders are not reading on grade level, with a much deeper deficit in the economically disadvantaged population. I would like to improve these results exponentially.
What are your suggestions for the district's legislative priorities for the legislative session beginning in January?
Special education funding is an opportunity, as the special education funding formula is outdated. I would also suggest focusing on updating the discipline code to better support teachers and students in our classrooms.
Jamison Gentle
Experience: Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Occupation: Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Why are you running for this position?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What qualifications do you think make you the best candidate?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What are the main challenges the district is now facing and how would you plan to address them?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Are there any projects or policies you'd like to see introduced or changed in the district?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What are your suggestions for the district's legislative priorities for the legislative session beginning in January?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.