by George Slaughter
Joe Wojcik (Joe Wojcik photo)
Joe Wojcik, a security investigator and adjunct college professor, is seeking the Position 6 seat on the Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees.
Wojcik is one of six candidates seeking the seat. Incumbent Susan Gesoff, an engineer, is seeking reelection. Other candidates include former trustee Rebecca Fox; Bonnie Anderson, an assessor quality management analyst; William X. Branch, a truck driver; and Garima DGupta, a teacher.
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 believe that a quality education is the most important gift we can give to our children. It’s an investment in their lives and in the lives of everyone in the community that affects both for many years. I want to help with this investment in a big way.
2. Briefly discuss your professional background, and how that will help you if elected.
I have worked in the profession of public and private policing during my adult life. I have always been in a position in which I have conducted investigations, managed budgets, wrote policy, supervised subordinates, negotiated and compromised with peers, supervisors and invested parties, and made decisions based on facts, what made sense, and what benefited the organization. My perception is that the board of trustees uses these skills to ensure the Katy ISD runs in an effective and efficient manner.
3. If elected, what would your top three priorities for the district be, and why?
Top priorities would include, but not be limited to:
- Ensuring our teachers and children are safe while at school, and that parents feel that their children were safe. This would be achieved by following much of the CDC’s guidelines, with mask wearing by students would be the decision of parents, and vaccination the decision of teachers.
- Focusing on more racial diversity among the teacher ranks by recruiting specifically qualified minority candidates, through job fairs at minority colleges and through recruiting agencies.
- Ensuring transparency of budget spending. The graphics posted by the district give an overall view, but I don’t believe parents know how their district budget is being spent as related to their children.
4. Do you support the $676 million bond issue that has been put on the ballot? What would you tell undecided voters about it?
I do support the bond issue. The growth of the district has to be addressed through the building of more schools, and improvements at existing ones. I would tell undecided voters the alternative may be overcrowding and unhealthy conditions may be the alternative.
5. Do you favor establishing a Virtual High School for the district to open in the upcoming school year? Why or why not?
I do favor establishing a Virtual High School for the district to open the upcoming school year. Virtual learning is a method of teaching that is very successful in college, and this type of endeavor would better prepare those planning to go to college. But, I am a little hesitant in giving my full support. I would foresee this as a very expensive program, at startup. If budget dollars from the bond issue on this year’s ballot are being planned to be used, other areas that affect many more students may suffer.
6. Is there anything else about your candidacy that Katy News readers should know?
If elected, I come into the position with no preconceived notions or agendas. My goal is to do the very best I can to serve the students, parents, teachers, and staff in the Katy ISD, and make decisions that better the district.