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 Positions 4; the questionnaire for Position 5 will be featured on April 9.

CANDIDATES FOR POSITION 3 (in same order as listed on Katy ISD website): David Greene, Tiffany Auzenne Asonye and Jim Davidson

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

GREENE: I am running for Katy ISD Board of Trustees Position 4, because I have seen firsthand how stretched systems impact real students. After tutoring a sixth grader who was falling behind in both math and reading despite having dedicated teachers, I saw how easily students can slip through the cracks when educators are overextended. That experience pushed me to learn how board decisions affect the classroom. Schools succeed when we put teachers first, students at the center, and families at the table.

AUZENNE ASONYE: I served on the 2023-24 Katy ISD Bond Advisory Committee and saw firsthand both the strength of this district and gaps that most parents would never know about. I have three children currently enrolled in Katy ISD. I want to bring a voice to the board for the families who feel unseen and the educators who feel undervalued. I felt called to serve my community, which is why I filed so early.

DAVIDSON: I made the decision to run for Katy ISD School Board Trustee because of a genuine desire to serve the community that my wife and I were raised in and the one in which we chose to raise our family. I believe a strong school district is only possible when service-minded individuals who possess relevant and complimentary skillsets are willing to step up and serve. As a Katy ISD graduate, the husband of a 20-year district employee, and the father of two current Katy ISD students, I can easily point to ways my family has benefited from the strengths of our district. However, I'm also keenly aware of current challenges and those ahead. I am running for the Katy ISD Board because I believe my leadership experiences and willingness to listen are going to be an asset as we face these challenges head on.

• What unique qualifications do you bring to the position?

GREENE: I bring nonprofit executive leadership, board governance experience, and a track record of managing budgets and building partnerships across diverse communities. I understand the role of a trustee: set direction, pass a responsible budget, provide oversight of the superintendent, and ensure accountability without micromanaging. I also believe in listening first and making decisions that are sustainable, not reactive.

AUZENNE ASONYE: I have 20 years of governance, compliance, and risk management in one of the most regulated industries in the country, banking. I have served as SVP, auditor, director, and consultant across multiple financial institutions. I hold an MBA and a certificate in Business Process Design from MIT. I was recruited three consecutive times to walk into complex institutions and strengthen them. My institutional oversight and governance experience strengthens the current board of trustees.

DAVIDSON: I believe what makes my candidacy stand out is my blend of experiences. Professionally, I’ve served in senior leadership positions across several facets of the consulting industry: Operational, Commercial, and Service Line Development. My professional experience is blended with my experience as a lifelong Katy resident and civic leader with a heart for serving others. I’m deeply rooted in the Katy community and have been fortunate to have many opportunities to re-invest. I currently serve on the City of Katy Planning & Zoning Commission and on the Keep Katy Beautiful Board, roles that require collaboration, transparency, and thoughtful consideration of the long-term needs of our community. My volunteer efforts, including serving as the regional lead of a men’s Fitness, Faith, and Fellowship group along with fundraising efforts for organizations such as Eagles Wings Zambia and the Manna House, reflect my commitment to servant leadership.

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

GREENE: First, strengthen teacher support and retention by establishing regular educator engagement and acting on that feedback. Second, protect classroom dollars by conducting a line by line operational efficiency review and redirecting any savings back into classrooms and teacher support. Third, maintain clear governance by keeping the board focused on oversight and accountability so campuses can operate effectively while district leadership handles day to day operations.

AUZENNE ASONYE: My first year would be spent building rapport with the superintendent, fellow trustees, administrators, teachers and our community. I will listen, as no decision can be made unilaterally. Katy ISD faces a $29 million deficit and real workforce pressures. My priorities around fiscal responsibility, teacher support and student success are genuine. Honestly, meaningful change takes longer than two years. What I can deliver immediately is informed oversight, transparent communication and a trustee who shows up prepared to keep the focus on student success.

DAVIDSON: My top priorities consist of protecting what has made Katy ISD a district families trust—1. Strong academics; 2. Attracting and retaining exceptional teachers, and 3. Careful stewardship of our financial resources. While it could be said that these are traditionally top priorities, what brings these priorities into particular focus are the acute budget pressures currently facing the district that can make these priorities even more challenging to achieve. To achieve these priorities during a period of heightened budget constraints, leadership must establish and align on clear priorities that will serve as a “North Star” that all strategic plans can be compared against. As an example – with respect to attracting and retaining exceptional teachers, we must do more to address the rise of burnout with our teachers and paraprofessionals. Burnout occurs when our educators are asked to do more with fewer resources. To address burnout I would support policies that 1.) Prioritize competitive and lasting compensation—especially for frontline staff including teachers and paraprofessionals; 2.) Protect planning time and reduce unneeded administrative burdens; and 3.) Support strengthening campus-based mental-health

resources and seek to understand if our campuses foster a collaborative culture where our teachers are not isolated when challenges arise.

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

GREENE: We must prioritize classrooms, protect teacher compensation, and ensure every dollar is aligned with student outcomes. I support an independent, recurring line by line operational efficiency review of district spending to identify savings and reinvest those dollars into classrooms. We should also explore additional revenue opportunities, including revisiting facility rental procedures to ensure district assets are used effectively and responsibly. We need stronger advocacy at the state level to ensure public schools are funded in a way that reflects real costs.

AUZENNE ASONYE: Katy ISD has earned a Superior financial rating for more than 20 years. I plan to protect that standard while addressing the pressures threatening it. A Superior rating reflects our past. Our job is to protect our future. Oversight of this district belongs to the trustees, superintendent and administration, not the Texas Education Agency or auditors. I will advocate with my fellow Trustees and other districts for the state to increase per student funding above $6,215 and explore shifting from attendance based to enrollment-based funding. The district is working to expand Career and Technology Education (CTE) enrollment through the Miller Career and Technology Center where nearly 900 students are on a waitlist because it generates additional funding and prepares students for careers. Every child in this district deserves a trustee who treats that standard as a floor not a ceiling.

DAVIDSON: With Katy’s growth projections stalling and enrollment declining for seemingly the first time, thoughtful financial planning and budget management will be an essential skillset for this class of incoming board members. Despite the passing of House Bill 2 last year, the increase in State funding doesn’t fully resolve inflation driven financial challenges. From 2019 to 2025, cumulative inflation driven costs have risen by 26.2% contrasted with the State’s increase in the Basic Student Allotment over that same time period from $6,160 to $6,215, less than a 1% increase. For the 23rd consecutive year, Katy ISD received a Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) Superior Rating, a recognition of Katy ISD’s superior management of their financial resources to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes. When a district as efficient as Katy ISD is forced to consider cuts to core services, it’s a sign that the system itself is strained. Savings should be explored in areas furthest removed from direct student impact such as duplicated processes or non-essential expenditures. Further, re-hiring positions following voluntary departures should be closely evaluated when the position is removed from direct student impact. In my professional life, I’ve had to prioritize costs during down cycles in the market and I understand how to tighten overhead and identify inefficiency. When elected, my objective will be to protect the classroom first, identify and reduce inefficiencies, and ensure every budget decision is mindful of our taxpayers.

• How do you plan to address student achievement?

GREENE: Student achievement starts with strong teachers and early intervention. I would prioritize early literacy by third grade and middle school algebra readiness, along with targeted support for students

who are falling behind. The board’s role is to set clear expectations and monitor outcomes, ensuring progress across all student groups, not just district averages.

AUZENNE ASONYE: Student achievement must be consistent across every campus, not just the ones in the right zip code. Underperforming campuses have completed corrective action plans, and I want to ensure those plans translate into real results with sustained board level support and accountability. Low family engagement is not a lack of concern. It is a signal that we need to meet families where they are, in the languages they speak and through the channels they use. Every student deserves a pathway to success whether they attend a four-year college, enter the workforce or enlist in the military.

DAVIDSON: Student achievement starts with a foundation in strong academics. But beyond our traditional educational pathways, Katy ISD provides students a diversity of advanced learning programs to help our students achieve success. These learning programs include programs like AP, Dual Language Immersion, and a nationally recognized Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway. The availability of options provides students with multiple avenues to discover their gifts and gain real world skills - skills that will set our students up for a successful transition after high school. I support expanding these opportunities so every student has access to learning that’s applicable to the pathway they choose to pursue following high school whether that’s enrolling in a four-year college, a trade school, entering the workforce, or joining the military. I support strengthening partnerships with local business leaders and higher-education institutions so that we can unlock more doors to internships, relevant experiences, and certifications that prepare students to enter a future where they’ve had the advantage of developing a skillset tailored to their gifts and passions. When we give students real-world skills and high expectations, we equip them for success long after the time they walk across a Katy ISD graduation stage.

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

GREENE: First, I will keep the focus on teachers, students, and results, not politics. As one of seven trustees, that means working to build consensus around decisions that support educators and improve student outcomes. Second, I understand governance and will help keep the board focused on direction, accountability, and responsible oversight so the district can perform at a high level.

AUZENNE ASONYE: First, Katy ISD operates a $1.2 billion budget with a $29 million deficit. Continued success depends on asking the right questions, ensuring accountability and keeping the focus on our children. My institutional governance and oversight expertise would strengthen this board. Second, I am a Katy ISD mom of three who has served on the Bond Advisory Committee, as a former KEYs mentor, active PTA member and campus volunteer. Whether I win or lose I am here for at least eight more years. A vote for me is truly about service to this community. It is for students, teachers, paraprofessionals, businesses and every taxpayer like me who funds our schools.

DAVIDSON: 1. Relevant and translatable professional experience that will be an asset to our district, including serving as the operations leader for a segment of a global consulting firm. 2. My motivation to run for School Board Trustee is rooted in a genuine desire to serve backed by a track record of proven civic, community, and faith-based service experiences, along with an intimate knowledge of Katy ISD that

stems from being a Katy ISD graduate, husband to a Katy ISD graduate and now >20 year employee, and having two students in the district.

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

GREENE: This campaign is about keeping Katy ISD strong by focusing on what works: support our teachers, respect parents’ role in their child’s education, and keep students at the center of every decision. I have not built this campaign around chasing endorsements from political parties or outside organizations. That is intentional. This role is about serving our community, and I believe trustees should be accountable to the people they represent, not to any party or private interest group. At the same time, I am willing to sit down with anyone if it helps deliver results for our students and teachers. Good ideas and resources can come from many places, and it is our job to bring those opportunities back to Katy ISD. I believe in clear communication, practical solutions, and leadership that brings people together to move the district forward.

AUZENNE ASONYE: I chose Katy in 2020 because of Katy ISD’s reputation. I wanted to provide my children with the best public education available. I have shown up in the district before I ever decided to run and I will continue to do so. My vision is simple. Every student deserves a destination campus. Every educator deserves to feel valued. Every family deserves a trustee who listens first and never mistakes silence for satisfaction. I see you. I hear you. Katy ISD deserves all of this and more. I choose you. I hope you will choose me.

DAVIDSON: I’d like to end by saying that I’ve had close friends caution me that the role of a School Board Trustee can at times be difficult and present personal challenges. While I know that's true, I also believe wholeheartedly that we need good people to step up and do hard things, not for personal gain or ambition but with humility and the knowledge that our community is worth the effort. This sentiment extends to many areas, and it certainly extends to ensuring that our children receive a world class education and that our educators receive the respect that they deserve for pursuing a career of service. I hope you’ll allow me the opportunity to serve the students, educators, parents, and community members of Katy ISD. - Jim Davidson (1997 Katy High School Graduate and 2001 graduate of Texas A&M University).