Pearland - Friendswood Edition | April 2024

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Pearland Friendswood Edition VOLUME 10, ISSUE 5 APRIL 13MAY 13, 2024

2024 Voter Guide

Staying up to date

Pearland ISD technician Priscilla Garcia instructs a student on a computer. PISD is hoping to upgrade its technology and infrastructure with two bond propositions on the May 4 ballot.

COURTESY PEARLAND ISD

Pearland ISD calls for $105M bond package to upgrade infrastructure, technology

electrical upgrades; heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC; roof and parking lot replacements; among other projects. The technol- ogy proposition will focus mostly on teacher and student personal computers, servers and storage.

propositions—will appear on the May 4 ballot after the district’s board approved calling for the election at its Feb. 13 meeting. The two bond propositions would fund $75 million for infrastructure and $30 million for technology, district documents show. The infrastructure proposition will focus on

BY HALEY VELASCO

Pearland ISD is asking voters for a bond package totaling $105 million, which ocials say could help keep up with the district’s infrastructure and technology needs. The package—split up into two bond

CONTINUED ON 22

Also in this issue

Impacts: Space Center Houston displays asteroid (Page 6)

Government: Manvel changes wastewater billing (Page 8)

Election: Meet the candidates on the May 4 ballot (Page 17)

Dining: Central Texas BBQ makes restaurant feel like home (Page 29)

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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

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About Community Impact

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Jovanna Aguilar Asia Armour Angela Bonilla Melissa Enaje Wesley Gardner Cassandra Jenkins Shaheryar Khan Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Dave Manning Jessica Shorten Haley Velasco Aubrey Vogel Graphic Designers Richard Galvan Jatziri Garcia Ellen Jackson Matt Mills Martha Risinger Jesus Verastegui Taylor White

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DID YOU KNOW?

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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Impacts

ALMEDA SCHOOL RD.

288

SHADOW CREEK

MCHARD RD.

11 14

Pearland

521

W. BROA D W A

518

WALNUT ST.

Friendswood

3 12

M AGNOLIA PKWY.

BAILEY A V E .

2351

MCKEEVER RD.

Alvin

N. GORDON ST.

MCCOY RD.

1128

S. HARDIE ST.

S. SOUTH ST.

Manvel

MAP NOT TO SCALE

3 Evangeline Event Designs The business offers silk or fresh floral designs, backdrops, tableware, linens, and lounge options. • Opened Jan. 24 • 11200 Broadway St., Ste. 1190, Pearland • www.evangelineeventdesigns.com 4 British Swim School The business offers swimming programs for children ages 3 months through adults. • Opened Dec. 14

sandwiches, egg rolls and Vietnamese iced coffee. • Opened in early December • 19044 Gulf Freeway, Friendswood • 281-993-6316 6 Juicy Seafood The Cajun eatery specializes in seafood, such as crab, shrimp, crawfish and clams. • Opened Feb. 22 • 19026 Gulf Freeway, Friendswood • 281-786-1440 7 Let’s Pho The restaurant serves traditional Vietnamese dishes, such as pho, and imported coffee from Vietnam. • Opened Jan. 6

Now open

1 The Lash Lounge The salon will offer lash extensions, fills, tints and lifts. • Opened March 9 • 11940 Broadway St., Ste. 110, Pearland • www.thelashlounge.com 2 The Connect Church Pearland The church formerly met in Rogers Middle School. It hosts sermons on Sunday mornings at 9 and 10:45 a.m. • Opened Jan. 7 • 12155 Shadow Creek Parkway, Pearland • www.theconnectchurch.tv

• 10011 Broadway St., Pearland • www.britishswimschool.com

5 Yummy Pho & Bo Ne The Vietnamese restaurant serves pho, banh mi

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13 Firehouse Subs The national chain serves custom sandwiches. • Opening first or second week of May

• 12880 Beamer Road, Ste. K, Houston • 346-409-1652

Worth the trip

8 The Performance Athletic Center (PAC Gym) The facility is a “diverse gym with a little bit of everything,” General Manager Dawson Powell said. • Opened Feb. 15 • 14724 Almeda School Road, Houston • www.thepacgym.com 9 Bayou Seafood & More The restaurant’s menu features fried fish and shrimp, fried rice and lo mein, po-boy sandwiches, boiled seafood dishes and combination baskets. • Opened in November • 11540 Magnolia Parkway, Ste. A, Manvel • www.bayouseafoodmore.com 10 Uncle Ted’s Barn Yard Cars The business began selling cars in February but opened a location with a lot. • Grand opening on March 27 • 20000 Hwy. 6 E., Alvin • Facebook: Uncle Ted’s Barn Yard Cars 11 IV Solution Spa & Wellness The spa offers botox, microblading, teeth whitening, dermal injections, chemical peels, and beauty packages, among other services. • Opened April 1

• 19804 Morris Ave., Manvel • www.firehousesubs.com

Relocations

14 Fanatics Haircuts & Shave Parlor The barbershop offers haircuts, hot towel shaves, beard trims and coloring. Each haircut also comes with a hot towel, shampoo and a complimentary beverage. • Relocated April 1 • 1607 N. Main St., Pearland • www.fanaticsbarbershop.com

Space Center Houston A sample of asteroid “Bennu” is the center of the OSIRIS-REx display in the venue’s main plaza, and opened to the public on March 1. Short for NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security-Regolith Explorer spacecraft, the OSIRIS-REx was a seven-

Expansions

15 Fidelity National Title The business offers title insurance services for a number of items, including residential, commercial and real estate. • Opened full-time March 1 • 111 S. Hardie St., Alvin • www.houston.fntic.com

year-long mission to the asteroid. • 1601 E. NASA Parkway, Houston • www.spacecenter.org/osiris-rex

In the news

18 YMCA Alvin The operation closed March 15 and has been taken over by the city of Alvin, which is converting it into a recreation center. • 3201 Hwy. 35, Alvin • 281-388-4200

16 German Store The business on March 16 celebrated one year of business. They sell imported and locally made German goods.

• 1607 N. Main St., Pearland • www.ivsolutions-sw.com

• 3108 Dixie Farm Road, Pearland • www.germanstorepearland.com

Coming soon

Closings

12 Masterpiece Academy The academy is a private school for grades pre-K through fifth grade. • Opening in August • 11200 Broadway St., Ste. 630A, Pearland • www.masterpieceacademy.org

17 Poolscapes of Texas Formerly part of the corporate chain Premier Pools, it opened as its own business in February. Services will include pool construction for in-ground pools, and backyard amenities, such as custom outdoor kitchens, fire pits and pergolas.

19 Fire Stone Pizza Bar The business closed after five years of operation. It sold soups, pastas, salads and a variety of pizzas, including barbecue chicken, beef fajita tacos and more. • Closed March 14

• 3695 Kirby Drive, Pearland • www.poolscapesoftexas.com

• 11625 Broadway St., Pearland • Facebook: Fire Stone Pizza Bar

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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Government

BY RACHEL LELAND

Manvel adjusts wastewater billing

Diving in deeper

The winter months are better for tracking wastewater because residents aren’t carrying out large water activities during this time, such as lawn watering or maintaining a pool, according to the release. The city is able to better isolate wastewater usage as a result. Wastewater originates from various sources and, unlike potable water, lacks a dedicated meter to measure household usage accurately, according to the release. This, combined with the fact that treating wastewater is more expensive, results in higher wastewater bills. “This [model] ensures stable costs and incentivizes water conservation during the averaging period, ultimately reducing the volume of wastewater billed for each month throughout the year,” the release states.

Tracking wastewater

The city of Manvel in March changed how it measures customers’ wastewater usage and determines billing—a measure officials said they hope could save customers an average of $330 annually. Manvel officials recently announced their decision to move to a wastewater averaging model. Under this new system, the wastewater usage of households during November, December and January will be averaged to determine what customers will pay for the wastewater portion of their bill for the rest of the year, according to a March 1 news release from the city. The new system will change how water usage is measured month-to-month, city accountant Brenda Derouen said. With most water usage in winter being wastewater, using those months will give the city a better idea on the overall breakdown of water and wastewater.

• The city can’t separate water and wastewater usage. Residents are charged for higher wastewater usage in peak months as a result. Problem

Water includes:

Wastewater includes:

Sprinklers

Hoses

Toilets

Showers

Pools Drinking water

Sinks

Washing machines

Solution

• The city will average a customer’s usage in winter months to determine the wastewater portion of their bill for the rest of the year. The rest of the customer’s bill comes from water used each month.

SOURCE: CITY OF MANVEL/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Government

BY RACHEL LELAND

Pearland to build trail to connect trail systems Pedestrians who use the Shadow Creek and Clear Creek trails will soon be able to travel between the two trail systems by way of a con- necting path. The gist On Feb. 26, Pearland City Council voted to fund the construction of a trail connecting the Shadow Creek and Clear Creek trail systems. In 2007, the city outlined plans to create a 21-mile recreational trail connecting the city’s east and western limits, which became Clear Creek Trail. Those plans also called for a secondary trail to connect the existing internal Shadow Creek Ranch trail system with the Clear Creek Trail, according to agenda documents. A 2020 master plan notes that officials want the trails to help increase overall connectivity within the community and encourage physical activity.

Friendswood closer to building out waterline Friendswood is making progress on a new $8.8 million waterline at Clear Creek. Two-minute impact Friendswood Director of Engineering Jil Arias on March 4 presented updates on the water line project, which dates back to 2022, to Friendswood City Council. Arias said officials are assessing the area, and want to bid out the engineering phase by the end of 2024. The project’s goal is to get more water to the southwest part of town, officials said.

CLEAR CREEK TRAIL

CLEAR CREEK TRAIL EXTENSION

SOURCE: CITY OF PEARLAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The connecting trail will be 10 feet wide and include a pedestrian bridge, City Manager Trent Epperson said at the meeting. The cost The construction, which is estimated to wrap up in March 2025 and cost $1.8 million, will be reim- bursed by the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, or TIRZ, No. 2 in Shadow Creek Ranch, according to agenda documents. The city will be responsible for the maintenance of the trail after completion.

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Development

BY SHAHERYAR KHAN & JAMES T. NORMAN

Multiple developments making progress in Pearland Pearland has several facilities in the works, some of which are set to bring additional jobs and businesses to town, according to a March 13 update from the city’s economic development corporation. The breakdown

last two years, according to the email. The site’s master plan overall calls for both residential living and businesses, the latter of which includes retail, oce, a technology and research campus, and light manufacturing spaces, which will be connected by parks, walking trails and boulevards, according to the email. There is also work expected on a few dierent roads in the area, as well as water line extensions, which will begin construction this year, according to the email.

In the city’s Hwy. 35 corridor, Mission Building Systems, which engineers metal buildings, has begun work on its nearly 125,000-square-foot facility, which will sit on a 16.7-acre tract on West Orange Street near Hwy. 35, according to the email blast. The building is expected to bring about 100 jobs, ocials said. The city began working with Mission Building Systems in 2022. What else? In the city’s Lower Kirby District, which sits at the southwest corner of South Beltway 8 and Hwy. 288, work has begun on two detention ponds that were among a number of things permitted over the

Ocials with Great Wolf Lodge said they want it to be a destination for the southern region of Texas.

RACHEL LELANDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Great Wolf Lodge in Webster to open ahead of schedule The Great Wolf Lodge will open in Webster on Oct. 18, and it will feature an indoor water park and an exclusive attraction called “the Texas Twirler,” ocials with the project said. The update The resort’s structure, located at 1000 Great Wolf Way, Webster, nished vertical construction Aug. 30, which was previously reported by Community Impact . The focus of work will now shift to the interior of the resort, said Keith Furnas, general manager of the new resort. The Oct. 18 date is earlier than the original planned opening in November, Furnas said. “Construction is going well, which is part of the reasons why we will open earlier,” Furnas said.

Mission Building Systems' newest location sits to the west of Hwy. 35. The site is close to 17 acres in size.

COURTESY PEARLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Ongoing development locations in Pearland

Lower Kirby District

Mission Building Systems

MCHARDRD.

288

W . O R A N G E S T .

SOURCE: PEARLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Friendswood City Center to break ground April 18 The groundbreaking ceremony for the Friend- swood City Center has been delayed until April 18, ocials with the development conrmed in an email. The full story

At a launch party for the development in Decem- ber, ocials said they expected the groundbreak- ing to take place in January, but that was moved to February shortly after. Ocials now expect it to happen April 18, Kyndahl O’Quinn, executive assistant at Tannos, said in an email. “We are just wanting to be prepared,” O’Quinn said. “We are waiting on a couple of things that we have ordered for this event, and trying to make sure that the mayor is able to make it.”

528

The city center, which is being developed by Tannos Development Group, is set to be built at the corner of FM 528 and Bay Area Boulevard, and will bring with it a mix of residential, retail, oce space and the city’s rst hotel.

PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Pearland ISD is proudly home to more than 21,100 students who are welcomed every day at our 23 campuses and empowered to thrive. In Pearland ISD, students develop their unique gifts and are supported by more than 2,700 full-time employees who maintain student success and well-being as their sole purpose. In partnership with the community, families and students, Pearland ISD prepares all learners to achieve their highest potential. Pearland ISD ABOUT Pearland ISD seeks to address infrastructure and technology needs that exceed the capacity of its operating budget (Maintenance & Operations). These demands strain resources, hindering the district’s ability to prioritize essential areas such as staff compensation, instructional programs (including emergent bilingual and special programs), and crucial capital investments like buses, Career and Technical Education (CTE) equipment, musical instruments and more. About the Bond Pearland ISD is presenting two separate bond propositions to address these pressing challenges. The bond propositions are designed to provide enhanced opportunities for all students by providing technological upgrades and increasing safety, security and efficiency of district facilities.

If either or both bond propositions pass, Pearland ISD tax rate will not increase . The current tax rate is $1.1373, approved in the fall of 2023 with the passage of Pearland ISD’s Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE).

Last Five Years Actual & Proposed Tax Rate

Proposition A Funding for Infrastructure Needs - $75,000,000 Bond proceeds will be used to acquire, construct, renovate and equip school facilities in the district, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roofing, parking, painting and security improvements.

Proposition B Funding for Technology Needs - $30,000,000 Bond proceeds will be used to replace teacher and student (1:1) computers, classroom technology, staff, teacher and shared computers, labs, servers and storage, as well as networking and data center.

The Proposed Bonds Do Not Change Tax Rate

M&O I&S

$1.6000 $1.4000 $1.2000 $1.0000 $0.8000 $0.6000 $0.4000 $0.2000 $0.0000

$1.4156

$1.3956

$1.3185

$1.3152

$1.3027

$1.1373

$0.8929

$0.9700

$0.9196

$0.9546

$1.0600

$0.7892

$0.3556

$0.4256

$0.3956

$0.3481

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Election Dates

What will the ballot say?

According to the Texas Constitution and Statutes (Education Code, Sec. 45.003.), the ballot proposition must include the following statement: “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE” when, in fact, the overall tax rate of $1.1373 will not increase.

Last Day to Register to Vote: April 4

Early Voting: April 22- 30

Election Day: May 4

The ballot will read as follows:

Proposition A

“The issuance of $30,000,000 of bonds by the Pearland Independent School district for the design, construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, renovation, expansion, improvement and upgrading of technology devices and instructional technology, and the levy of taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds. Required statement for all school district bond propositions pursuant to section 45.003 Texas Education Code: this is a property tax increase.” Proposition B

“The issuance of $75,000,000 of bonds by the Pearland Independent School District for the construction, renovation, acquisition and equipment of school facilities within the district and the levy of taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds. Required statement for all school district bond propositions pursuant to section 45.003 Texas Education Code: this is a property tax increase.”

• No ISD tax rate increase PASS:

FAIL:

• No ISD tax rate increase • Technology needs and facility

• Addresses educational technology needs and infrastructure • Addresses facility infrastructure needs • Allows general operating fund to address other district needs, such as staff compensation, instructional programs and crucial capital investments

infrastructure needs would be deferred • Impacts limited general operating funds

www.pearlandisd.org/bond

Education

BY HALEY VELASCO

Friendswood ISD working to resolve reproong issues for new PAC

How we got here

At the March 4 FISD board meeting, to nd a solution, Greg Prince, an architect for PBK, which is overseeing the construction, reached out to multiple sources to ensure the re safety at Friendswood High School’s PAC was satisfactory. He said at the board’s meeting he contacted the International Code Council, an organization with building safety professionals, and its re protection engineers to see how a re would act in the building. One of the main concerns within the district was the timing of the results of this inspection, as the project is expected to be completed soon. “Originally when this building was permitted over two years ago, those [reproong] comments weren’t there, so now that we have the comments with the Performing Arts Center nearing completion, the ability of the contractor to go back and add that reproong is exponentially more dicult,” Prince said at the meeting. Kabiri and other ocials with the city, however, pushed back on those comments and said in a series of emails that reproong has always been a requirement for the PAC, adding nothing had changed. He put it on the contractor, saying they did not meet the requirements. “City sta is currently working with [Roher] and the architect in securing an alternative solution,” Kabiri said in an email. “However, the reproong requirement is not new.”

Following issues concerning reproong at Friendswood ISD’s new Performing Arts Center at Friendswood High School, ocials from both the district and the city of Friendswood have conrmed they are working toward a solution. This comes after meetings in February between project ocials and the Friendswood Fire Marshal’s Oce. Fire marshal ocials relayed concerns about the building not meeting the re code that was agreed upon with the city of Friendswood, City Manager Morad Kabiri said. The PAC has been undergoing construction since 2022 and is expected to be completed later this spring, FISD Superintendent Thad Roher said in an email April 1. To x the reproong deciency, Roher said in an email the district will continue to adjust to meet the re code based on the direction they have received from the Fire Marshal’s Oce.

The Performing Arts Center did not meet reproong requirements in February.

COURTESY FRIENDSWOOD ISD

PAC Timeline

Project started: Spring 2022 Fire code meeting: Feb. 7, 2024 Project scheduled for completion: April 26, 2024 SOURCE: CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, FRIENDSWOOD ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

What it means

“All new buildings and renovations in FISD will meet the re code per the Friendswood Fire Marshal’s

According to the original plan agreed upon by the district and city, the PAC requires one hour of re resistance in several dierent areas of the structure. Kabiri said the requirements can be met through methods like spray-on, or paint. Kabiri also said, as of February’s re code meeting, the contractor had not met any of the one-hour requirements. However, with this project being ongoing, it’s possible many of these items have been addressed since.

Oce upon completion to assure students, parents and sta safe and innovative new places to learn and grow.”

THAD ROHER, FISD SUPERINTENDENT

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Education

BY HALEY VELASCO

Two new principals will be joining Alvin ISD for the 2024-25 school year at Hood-Case and Don Jeter elementary schools after the board approved the new positions at its March 5 board meeting. The gist The principal for Hood-Case Elementary School will be Johanna Ramírez, who has 10 years of experience at AISD and is the current assistant principal for Bel Nafegar Sanchez Elementary School, according to district documents. The principal for Don Jeter Elementary will be Victor Martinez, who has seven years of experience at AISD and is the assistant principal at Fairview Junior High School, according to district documents. Alvin ISD welcomes 2 new principals

Friendswood ISD to place SROs throughout district Schools in Friendswood ISD will have multiple school resource officers, or SROs, and armed aux- iliary officers after the board of trustees approved the additions at its March 4 meeting. What you need to know The changes are to meet the requirements for the state’s House Bill 3, which—among a number of safety requirements—calls for districts to have armed officers at all campuses during school hours, according to the bill. The bill was passed in 2023 during the state’s legislative session. FISD will hire armed auxiliary officers for each campus, according to district agenda documents. They will be hired through TABI, a company that provides certified and trained law enforcement officers to schools across the state. While some officers will be coming right out of the academy with less experience, they will have

School resource officers FISD will have four SROs across the district. The SROs will be dispersed as follows:

2 SROs at Friendswood High School

1 SRO at Friendswood Junior High

1 SRO roving through all elementary schools, which are Westwood, Windsong, C.W. Cline and Zue S. Bales

SOURCE: FRIENDSWOOD ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

all of the certifications required to be an armed auxiliary officer for the district, Superintendent Thad Roher said at the meeting. The costs for this service will be between $156,000 and $200,000, according to district documents. The estimated cost for the SROs, as well as vehi- cles and equipment, is $463,942 per year, accord- ing to district documents. This will be reduced by $80,143 after the city of Friendswood voted March 4 to pay for the fourth officer and vehicle.

Pearland ISD improves in academic performance Pearland ISD’s student academic performance in the 2022-23 school year surpassed its 2021-22 results, as well as the region and state averages. What you need to know

Percentage of students meeting grade level 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0 Pearland ISD Region 4 State 67% 68%

The performance report heavily factors in the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readi- ness, or STAAR, results. Officials said PISD looks at the “meeting grade level” percentage, which is the category above passing, as a key indicator. What else? PISD sits in Region 4, which contains close to 50 other area school districts.

49% 48% 50% 49%

The Texas Academic Performance Report, or TAPR, highlights student performance in each school and district in Texas annually, according to the Texas Education Agency, or TEA.

2021-22

2022-23

SOURCE: PEARLAND ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Election

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide. Election results breakdown The following results are from the March 5 primary, which featured races on the county, state and federal levels. This list is not comprehensive, and doesn’t

include races where candidates ran unopposed. For more information, visit www.sos.state.tx.us.

SOURCES: BRAZORIA, GALVESTON AND HARRIS COUNTIES; TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Incumbent

Winner

Headed to runoff

61.66% Mike Fulton 21.65% Jeff Dodson Brazoria County constable, Precinct 1, Republican 16.69% Jason B. Ringo 73.44% James Brawner 26.56% Janet Parten Brazoria County constable, Precinct 4, Republican

59.57% Dasean Jones 40.43% Randy Sarosdy Texas Supreme Court, justice, Place 2, Democrat 50.44% John Devine 49.56% Brian Walker Texas Supreme Court, justice, Place 4, Republican 73.14% Bonnie Lee Goldstein 26.86% Joe Pool Texas Supreme Court, justice, Place 6, Democrat

Federal races

81.68% Marquette Greene-Scott 18.32% Wayne Raasch Texas 22nd U.S. Congressional District, Democrat

State races

Texas State House Representative, District 29, Republican

56.73% Jimmy Fullen 43.27% Ray Nolen Galveston County sheriff, Republican 15.05% Paul Davidson 16.59% John Fernandez Jr. 68.36% Blake Patton Galveston County sheriff, Republican

48.39% Jeffrey Barry 44.05% Alex Kamkar 4.71% Edgar Pacheco Jr. 2.85% Trent Perez

Local races

26.1% Richard Foreman Brazoria County sheriff, Republican 73.9% L. “Bo” Stallman

Railroad commissioner, Republican

50.42% Christi Craddick 11.72% Christie Clark 6.3% Corey Howell

40.26% Jay Burridge 28.76% David Thacker 23.55% Ted A. Broaddus Brazoria County commissioner, Precinct 1, Republican 7.43% Mike Meadors

67.53% Paul Edinburgh 32.47% Michel Roy Galveston County constable, Precinct 2, Republican 75.79% Jerry Garcia 24.21% David Garza Harris County constable, Precinct 2, Democrat

26.56% James “Jim” Matlock

4.99% Petra Reyes

67.64% Katherine Culbert 32.36% Bill Burch Railroad commissioner, Democrat

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HALEY VELASCO

Voter Guide

2024

Pearland ISD trustee, Position 6 This race will be for an unexpired term due to a resignation in 2023. It will run through 2025.

What changes, if any, would you make to the district’s budget? I’d like to see more money put into recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers and administrators. Tackling the staffing challenges are and will continue to be priority. I’d also like to see more funding for tutoring, especially in the higher grade levels.

What are your priorities, if elected?

My priorities are to help expand the educational opportunities for all students and make decisions that will help improve the academic performance of all students. Help ensure that PISD schools implement a plan to recruit and retain the best and diverse staff of people to educate our students.

Jenny Francis Occupation: Air Force veteran Relevant experience: HOA board director, Council of PTAs treasurer,

PTA president 713-409-7618

I am a child advocate. I don’t have any specific priorities at this time. If elected, I will work to identify what are the concerns of our parents, students and teachers. I plan to be a student first, and learn from the current trustees. I see this as an opportunity…

None at this time.

Terrence Campbell Occupation: pastor/area director Relevant experience: lifelong child advocate, held leadership roles, experienced board member 832-802-4951

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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Election

BY RACHEL LELAND & HALEY VELASCO

*INCUMBENT

Pearland City Council, Position 4

Alvin ISD board of trustees, Position 1

What would you like to see done with Pearland’s remaining undeveloped land? As our city enters a stage of stable, manageable growth, I would like to see more affordable housing opportunities for young professionals and families. I would also like to see more professional business investment in our city that would bring high-paying jobs to our community. Additionally, a number of people …

Would you support the district going out for a bond within the next year?

If elected, what will be your priorities?

What are your priorities if elected?

Providing for the protection of our citizens, improving our infrastructure to foster opportunity for growth and standing on the small-town values that built our great city are the fundamentals I intend to focus on as your next member of City Council.

Students’ quality of education, teacher retention, lower student “drop-out” rate [and] smart annual budgeting.

Depending on the direction of the needs of the district’s community.

Clint Byrom Occupation: owner of ... a new home construction and land development company Relevant experience: N/A voteclint@gmail.com

Albert “AJ” Johnson III* Occupation: insurance and financial services Relevant experience: currently serving in my first term and over 20 years of servant leadership and community engagement Millard Norris Occupation: retired Relevant experience: lifelong Alvin resident, 45 years at a large chemical plant, 30 years as a supervisor 281-413-1975

The budget will be my main priority. We need to use what we have, finding other sources of revenue and getting back to being fiscally conservative. Another priority is traffic. Balancing residents’ concerns with traffic congestion. Keep a family town feel by not connecting every single road available in Houston.

We need to connect family-friendly trails to parks so residents can enjoy walking and biking. It’s important to remain vigilant in protecting nature preserves and ensuring trees are planted with added infrastructure at the cost of the developer and builder.

When I am re-elected, my focus will remain on the success of our students and teachers. Our board should work to ensure we provide an extraordinary learning environment. The responsibility of preparation mainly lies within our public school system, and our board goals should reflect a desire for long-term success.

Yes. It is our obligation to maintain a safe and effective learning environment. Our board recently approved a committee to evaluate our growth and facilities. This is important to maintain good student-teacher ratios and provide improvements where necessary across the district.

Veronica Kreuder Longoria Occupation: chief of staff Relevant experience: N/A

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

SHADOW CREEK 11023 Shadow Creek Pkwy (281) 977-1027

PEARLAND 10555 Pearland Pkwy (713) 987-9205

ALMEDA 11130 Gulf Fwy (713) 910-3941

FRIENDSWOOD 3126 FM 528 (281) 648-5473

Election

Alvin ISD board of trustees, Position 2

Would you support the district going out for a bond within the next year?

What are your priorities, if elected?

Over the past three years on the board, our district priorities have been aligned to the academic needs of our students. We need to continue to focus on the academic success we are achieving since the pandemic and the extracurricular opportunities we offer each student across the district.

I would have to wait to see if our CAC recommends one to the board after reviewing all of the data. Our district has done a great job managing the rising costs of construction with previous bond dollars, without raising our tax rate and actually reducing it.

Cory Scott* Occupation: funeral director

Relevant experience: current Alvin ISD board trustee for the past three years; served on several district committees 281-585-1000

My priorities include focusing on teacher retention, mental health support and producing career-ready graduates. Additionally, heavy-handed tactics from Austin are trying to force the Culture Wars into our classrooms. We need leaders willing to stand up to these bullies and provide inclusive support for all students and teachers.

Overcrowding is already a serious concern on our campuses. A bond is necessary to fund additional infrastructure, including a fifth high school, as well as maintain existing schools. We need a plan that keeps us competitive with neighboring districts and leverages our growth to minimize the impact on taxpayers.

Travis Boldt Occupation: small-business owner Relevant experience: oversees multimillion-dollar budgets; wife is an AISD teacher; kids attend AISD schools’ active community organizer 281-989-3675

512-232-5000 EdServices@austin.utexas.edu highschool.utexas.edu

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HALEY VELASCO

*INCUMBENT

Alvin ISD board of trustees, Position 3

Would you support the district going out for a bond within the next year?

What are your priorities if elected?

Addressing the mental health in our students. In- depth training for parents over the student code of conduct. Helping parents and students navigate the 504/[special education] process.

As a candidate, I’m committed to ensuring our district has the resources needed to support student success. While I understand the potential benefits of a bond, I would prioritize a thorough evaluation of current financial status, community input and long- term planning before making a decision on pursuing a bond...

Danielle Swiney Occupation: financial services professional Relevant experience: 21 years of retail field experience, budget management; strategic planning 346-733-3190 Rebecca Zavala Occupation: real estate professional and boutique owner Relevant experience: Hispanic chamber ambassador, business development committee member 832-853-0719

If elected to the school board, my priorities would revolve around ensuring equitable access to quality education for all students, regardless of their background or circumstances. I would advocate for programs that support the social and emotional well-being of students, as well as initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion and cultural...

As for supporting, I would assess the specific needs and impact of such a decision on the community. If the bond is deemed necessary to address critical infrastructure or educational needs that cannot be met through existing resources, I would support it after thorough evaluation and community input.

Student success has always been my priority. I have been an educator for 34 years. The Alvin ISD community has changed dramatically. I believe our ultimate goal is still the same, to graduate students well prepared to achieve their life goals, leading our community into the future.

As the district continues to grow, it will be necessary at some point to consider another bond. With careful management of available resources this option should not be proposed until it is absolutely necessary to ensure student needs are met.

Dixie Jones Occupation: retired school administrator

Relevant experience: classroom teacher, reading Interventionist, literacy coach, administrator, director of elementary curriculum

Alvin ISD board of trustees, Position 7 This race will be for an unexpired term due to a resignation in 2023. It will run through 2026.

Would you support the district going out for a bond within the next year? Based on the need to help eliminate the pain felt by the middle class through exorbitant property tax (spurred by artificially inflated housing costs), and inflated interest rates, I would have to see compelling reasons to push for additional bonds. I would not rule it out totally.

What are your priorities if elected?

My priority is to ensure all children in Alvin ISD have a well-rounded public education, with the support necessary for all children to reach their full potential. An education that will prepare them for a successful future whereby they can think critically and be productive members of our society.

Gabriel “Gabe” Garza* Occupation: senior sales executive Relevant experience: AISD Education Foundation board member, YET Mentor, served on district committees 956-566-9643 Cheratta Campbell-Roberts Occupation: Attorney Relevant experience: current attorney, HOA board president, prior director of project management and trainer 832-987-4411

Much like our goals at AISD, my priorities center around teaching and learning excellence, attracting, and retaining an exceptional and cohesive team, ensuring safety and wellness, enhancing communication and stakeholder engagement, and maintaining strong financial and operational foundations. This multifaceted approach aims to create a thriving educational environment for all.

Earlier this year, we approved the formation of a Citizens’ Advisory Committee. This committee is evaluating and identifying the possible need for renovated and/or new facilities. I place significant value on their work and with over 100 community members, I would support a bond if their findings warranted it.

PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

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