On May 2, voters in the greater Katy area will have the opportunity to choose three new members of the Katy ISD Board of Trustees, replacing incumbents Amy Thieme (Position 3) Morgan Calhoun (Position 4) and Mary Ellen Cuzela (Position 5), who have chosen not to run again. This week The Katy Times provided a questionnaire to candidates for Position 3; candidates for Positions 4 and 5 will be featured on April 2 and April 9, respectively.

CANDIDATES FOR POSITION 3 (in same order as listed on Katy ISD website): Cicely Taylor, Sean Hesterly, and Haider Razvi

What led to your decision to run for the school board?

TAYLOR: I am running to restore a "students-first" culture by replacing political theater with professional governance. In recent years, external distractions have eroded board cohesion, diverting attention from academic achievement. With my background in the classroom and administration, I know that time spent on divisive rhetoric is time lost on improving our financial health and student outcomes. My only agenda is to ensure every Katy ISD graduate—whether headed for college, a career, or the military—receives a world-class education prioritized over political theater.

HESTERLY: I was watching my not quite two-year-old daughter play one evening. She was just fascinated in that way all kids are by the thing she found. As I sat there watching her, I realized that she will be going to public school soon, and I don’t know if it was ready for her. That is when I decided that I am going to do something. I am going to help make a school system that will give her the best education, allowing her freedom to be herself, and be ready for the future challenges ahead. Also, make a few good friends along the way.

RAZVI: I decided to run because I care deeply about this community and the future we’re building for our kids. As a future parent and someone who’s spent years serving others, I’ve seen firsthand how important strong leadership and good decision making are. I want to make sure Katy ISD continues to be a place where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

What unique qualifications do you bring to the position?

TAYLOR: With 25+ years of teaching and administrative expertise, plus the perspective of a proud Katy ISD parent, I offer a unique "360-degree" view of our schools. Voters can trust me to bridge the gap between complex fiscal oversight and the daily needs of our students. I am uniquely equipped to ensure fiscal responsibility while protecting the high-quality education my own children used as a springboard to their professional success.

HESTERLY: I have the most unique qualification of all, I am a public school teacher. My adult working life has been spent in the classroom, and I believe that the bets person to lead teachers is someone who

understands teaching and education. I have that firsthand personal insight, knowledge, and understanding of what teachers and students need from the school district.

RAZVI: My background in EMS and the military has taught me how to stay calm under pressure, make tough decisions, and put people first. I’ve worked in high-stakes environments where teamwork, accountability, and clear communication are critical. I bring a practical, solutions-focused mindset and a commitment to serving families, not politics.

What are your three top priorities – and concrete plans – for Katy ISD for the next two years?

TAYLOR: My top three priorities include fiscal oversight; we must have a line-by-line audit to cut administrative waste and protect classroom funding, CTE expansion; I’ll advocate for "Small College" partnerships and expanded capacity at the Miller Center so students can earn Associate Degrees or certifications by graduation; and teacher retention; Trusteess must push administration to aggressively negotiate superior benefits, specifically focusing on lowering health insurance premiums and prescription costs to support the staff who serve our students every day.

HESTERLY: To bring back dignity to teaching. Educators are the greatest assets in a district’s mission to educate. If they don’t feel valued, then the district will lose those assets. While competitive pay is a major step in the right direction, pay alone will not retain staff if the workload is so massive that it cannot be done in a single workday. We need to lessen the administrative burden on teachers -- we need to respect their planning and lunchtime. We must stop expectations of unpaid after-hours labor from our teachers. When we force teachers to sacrifice their personal lives, we take them away from their families who need them too either as husbands, as wives, as mothers, or as fathers. Take out the politics. Education is the one goal of a school district and education is of truth and facts. We need a board to stay focused on that goal, on the academics and on the skills that will make our children ready for the future, rather than whatever new and flashy social trend that is going viral right now. Promote safety, and freedom to our students. Our students must be kept safe, but learning requires a sense of liberty to explore and grow grow, not confined. Thus, we need better, unobtrusive security that works in the background while striving to ensure that safety tech and standards don’t overreach into our families' private lives.

RAZVI: First, supporting teachers because strong schools start with strong educators. That means advocating for competitive pay, better resources, and a work environment that helps retain great teachers. Second, maintaining academic excellence while preparing students for real world success, whether that’s college, trades, or the workforce. I want to expand career and technical education opportunities. Third, improving communication and transparency with parents and the community so people feel heard and informed.

How do you plan to address budgetary issues and the shortfall in state funding?

TAYLOR: Beyond a line-by-line audit, I will advocate for leveraging AI-driven administrative tools to automate redundant clerical tasks and streamline back-office workflows. This allows us to find significant savings in "non-impact" areas humanely through attrition rather than layoffs. By focusing on business-

side efficiencies, we can protect the teachers and staff who provide direct service to our students despite the shortfall in state funding.

HESTERLY: I don’t have all the facts or the resources that a sitting member of the board would have. I know that it needs to be corrected, but I also know that changes cannot be drastic. It will take time and smart thinking about how the district allocates money. Much like when an individual finds themselves in budgetary shortfall, they cut incrementally, chipping away at the debt. They key here is to strive to prevent it from happening again by having money set aside for that rainy day.

RAZVI: We have to be responsible and strategic with taxpayer dollars. That means prioritizing classroom spending, cutting unnecessary costs, and making sure every dollar is used effectively. At the same time, I’ll advocate for fair funding so our district gets the support it needs without overburdening local taxpayers.

How do you plan to address student achievement?

TAYLOR: I will implement a Board-Level Strategic Scoreboard—a transparent dashboard tracking academic health with the same rigor as our budget. We must move beyond occasional briefings to continuous oversight. By monitoring metrics such as 2nd-grade reading levels, CCMR readiness, and progress for Special Education students, we can identify risks in real time, assess the effectiveness of interventions, and hold the administration accountable for consistent results.

HESTERLY: We focus on the fundamentals, such as reading, writing, and math; without losing sight of students expressing themselves through the arts. Student achievement begins when we stop chasing every new education trend that pops up on social media or is peddled by wannabe influencers. Then we put and keep great teachers in front of our students and allow them to spend their energy where it matters most, helping every student succeed.

RAZVI: Student success starts with great teachers and strong support systems. I want to ensure classrooms have the resources they need and that we’re using data to identify where students are struggling early. We should also support different learning paths, because not every student succeeds the same way, and that’s okay.

What are the top two reasons that voters should cast their votes for you?

TAYLOR: First, I bring a unique blend of administrative expertise and fiscal discipline to balance our budget and protect the classroom. Second, I will replace political theater with data-driven governance. By implementing a Strategic Scoreboard, I will ensure student achievement is tracked with total transparency. I am a leader who views the community as a partner and our tax dollars as a sacred trust.

HESTERLY: First, I bring the unique perspective of a classroom teacher who understands the daily reality of our schools. Second, I am a truly independent candidate; I am not backed by major PACs or corporate donors. No one is giving me money. I am simply a local father and neighbor focused on solving local problems, just as our founding fathers envisioned.

RAZVI: First, I’m committed to putting students and families first in every decision. Second, I bring real world experience in leadership and service, not politics, and I’ll focus on practical solutions that actually make a difference.

What else should readers of the Katy Times know about you, your candidacy and your vision for Katy ISD?

TAYLOR: Twenty years ago, my family chose Katy for its reputation of excellence. Having seen my own children thrive here, I want to ensure Katy ISD remains the premier choice for every family. As an educator and administrator, I’m running to give back to the community that gave so much to us. My vision is a district that delivers a disciplined, rigorous education, preparing every student for the real world through sound leadership and fiscal integrity.

HESTERLY: I am not just a teacher. I was a teacher at Katy ISD. Not only was I teacher I was also a paraprofessional, and before that I was a substitute teacher. In addition to being an employee of Katy ISD I was a student too. I have been in the classroom and behind the desk.

RAZVI: This campaign is about people: our kids, our teachers, and our families. I’m not running to push an agenda; I’m running to serve and prepare Katy ISD for a better tomorrow. My goal is to help keep Katy ISD strong, safe, and focused on preparing students for the future. I believe in listening, working together, and doing what’s right for our community.