InstantNewsKaty.com

InstantNewsKaty is hosting the area’s first online candidates’ forum, allowing voters to pose questions to those running for seats on the Katy ISD Board of Trustees.

Three of the four candidates running for the school board have agreed to participate.  Robert Shaw and Ross Raymond, both vying for the Position 6 seat, and Stacy Edwards-Tomdio, a candidate for Position 7, will take part.

The other candidate for the Position 7 seat, Neal Howard, declined to participate in the forum. Howard gave no reason for his decision.

Voters can pose questions to the candidates by e-mailing them to jpape@instantnewskaty.com. Questions of the widest interest to residents of the school district will be forwarded to the candidates for their response.

Each candidate will be asked to respond to the same question at the same time. They will be given a period of time, typically 24-48 hours, to respond. After the deadline has passed, the unedited answers will be published. Each candidate is limited to no more than 250 words for the response.

Readers may begin submitting questions immediately. The forum will remain open until just prior to election day.

Shaw, the Position 6 incumbent, has been on the school board since 1997 and is currently serving his fourth term. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, he is employed by Aker Solutions, a Houston engineering company.

Raymond, a longtime school volunteer, has lived in Katy ISD for more than 30 years. He said he wants to bring a fresh perspective to the school board.

“We have a fabulous district out here, but it needs a little remodeling,” Raymond said. “I am running because I can make a serious contribution to the district.”

Tomdio, an eight-year resident of the district, said she wanted to “encourage adequate and excellent education for all children.” She is a school volunteer and substitute teacher.