Background
What would you like people to know about you?
With my faith, family, and friends, I believe that anything is possible. I am the father of two wonderful graduates of Tomball ISD who are now experiencing life in college. This fall my wife and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to serve and learn from others throughout my life to help me continue to grow in knowledge and wisdom.
Qualifications
What training, experience and characteristics qualify you for this position?
I have over 20 combined years of service and leadership on governance boards (Kinsmen Lutheran Church. Lutherhill Ministries, American Society of Civil Engineers -Houston Branch & Texas Section). I have a long record of service to my community and school (Junior Achievement, Watch Dog program, Tomball Education Foundation, Heatherwood Hurricanes Swim Team).
Opportunities
Based on the District’s latest improvement plan, what do you see as the greatest opportunities for improvement and how do you see the Board supporting the improvement plan?
High quality curriculum and instruction are key to improving student outcomes. Tomball ISD is an A-rated school district for the 7th year in a row and we still have opportunities to improve our approach to further support our students. The Board’s role is to set goals that drive excellence, continually monitor progress, ask questions, and ensure resources are made available to achieve success.
Supporting Teachers
What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the District’s teachers? What actions can the Board take to better support teachers?
Across the profession, teachers are challenged with increased responsibilities and distractions that lead to burnout and fatigue. As a Board, we need to make sure we are listening and understanding the realities that teachers face in the classroom and ensure they have the resources, support, trust, and leadership necessary to help every student succeed.
Challenges
What do you view as the biggest challenge facing the District in the next several years and what actions will you support to meet that challenge?
The biggest challenge facing the District is that funding from the state has not kept up with the cost of educating our students and they are now allocating money to support private education that does not have to follow the same rules that public education is under. Competition is healthy but only when both sides are playing under the same rules. Greater advocacy is sorely needed.
Future Voters
Assess how the District prepares students to participate in their country’s democracy and describe what the Board can do to support these efforts.
I, along with Tomball ISD and the other Trustees on our Board, are strongly committed to developing students of character, leadership, and high expectations. We strive to build up students that are ready to pursue military, college, and career opportunities upon graduation. The Board evaluates and guides our District to make sure it is aligned with producing high student outcomes.
