By George Slaughter
Dawn Champagne (Dawn Champagne photo)
Dawn Champagne, who works in retail sales, is seeking reelection to the Position 7 seat on the Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees. She was elected in 2018.
She faces one opponent, Walter Butler, who works in sales.
Voters will also decide whether to approve a $676 million bond proposal. The bond package has four propositions:
- Proposition A: New schools, renovations, safety & security and building component replacements, for $591,368,568.
- Proposition B: Classroom & campus technology, for $59,755,242.
- Proposition C: Natatorium for the new High School #10, for $13,842,610.
- Proposition D: Campus athletic building component replacements, for $11,260,000.
Early voting is April 19-29. Election Day is May 1.
1. Why do you want this job?
I want to continue being an advocate for the teachers, parents and students of our premier school district and community. During the three years that I have served so far, I have developed a better relationship with the community, a better understanding of the needs of the constituents, and a knowledge of how to navigate through the system in order to instigate changes when necessary.
2. Briefly discuss your professional background, and how that will help you if elected.
I have served three years as a Katy ISD Board of Trustee and I have recently been elected as the TASB (Texas Association of School Boards) Director. I believe that I have the experience to continue to serve as a trustee. Before becoming a trustee, I volunteered in the district in many different capacities during the 17 years previous to being elected: PTA boards, district committees, Katy Council of PTAs, as a KEYS (Keep Encouraging Youth toward Success) mentor and more. I feel that by having served as a volunteer and working with the actual people who were most affected by the decisions made by the school board, I learned what was inherently important to our community members.
3. If elected, what would your top three priorities for the district be, and why?
Top three priorities for me:
- Mental Health of our students—We need to make sure that our students’ mental health is being taken care of. I don’t want any child who is in need of services to be overlooked. I have had friends who have lost children to suicide, and I NEVER want this to happen again.
- Inclusion and fairness—We need to make sure that everyone is heard and no one is left out. Along with this, we need to make sure that we are hiring from a diverse pool of teachers. All children need to feel that they belong.
- Advocating for parents, teachers and students is something that I feel that I have mastered. I would love to continue serving in this capacity.
4. Do you support the $676 million bond issue that has been put on the ballot? What would you tell undecided voters about it?
Per the Texas Ethics Commission, a candidate should not expressly advocate for the passage of a bond. “No matter how much factual information about the purposes of a bond election is in a communication, any amount of advocacy is impermissible.” If re-elected, I will do as the people have elected me to do. On May 1, we will know if the bond passes or fails. This is truly the people’s choice.
5. Do you favor establishing a Virtual High School for the district to open in the upcoming school year? Why or why not?
I believe that the Virtual High School is a great choice for some high school students. I’m in favor of it because this gives our older students and their parents a choice to attend school in person, or not. I have heard from many that their children thrived with Katy Virtual Academy, and a Virtual High School will save tax payers money in the long run. We won’t need an extra building for Virtual High School.
6. Is there anything else about your candidacy that Katy News readers should know?
Truly, I have enjoyed serving this community and I hope to continue to do so. I want people to know that they can contact me at any time either through my Facebook page or my email: friendsofdawnchampagne@gmail.com.