There comes a time when we are no longer going to our Katy schools to witness our children’s fine arts programs, to be amazed by their athletic prowess, or meet their teachers at open house. We have become “empty nesters” and about the only contact we have with the district is when we pay our property taxes. Karen and I are at this stage in our life. Others who own businesses within Katy ISD without children of their own in our schools as well as empty nesters like ourselves are in the same situation.

All of us value our neighborhoods and want crime far removed from us. Gang violence is something we can do without; graffiti is another item we wish to banish from our fences, sides of buildings, and on our driveways. The best defense for most of this is an outstanding school system which by its very nature is not a conducive home for such behavior.

You and I might have moved to Katy for many different reasons, but we stayed and one day may sell our homes and businesses to retire elsewhere, so maintaining property values is important and from that vantage point it seems you and I still do care about Katy ISD.

Let’s not kid ourselves, property taxes are high and will continue to climb as values rise and state funding is constantly altered. Anyone who tells you differently is not being honest and by this stage of your life you know this is true. Because of our joint economic realities and because the single highest property tax we pay is the school tax, it is of the utmost importance our school board acts as a responsible fiduciary of our funds. You should have a full accounting of what was collected and how it was spent, and even know why it was spent. You should also have access to the decision makers and be able to make your voice heard.

I can’t promise you I will always come down on the same side of every issue with you, but I can promise you I will always give you a full accounting of my actions, share my thoughts with you if asked, and listen to what you have to say and consider it carefully before casting my vote.

I have to live here too.

Stay Tuned - More to come...