Candidate Q&A – Katy Armstrong – Hays CISD Board of Trustees District 2

KBAD Membership overwhelmingly voted to Endorse Katy Armstrong in the District 2 Trustee Race

 

Why are you running to be a trustee for the HCISD School Board?

I am running to be a strong advocate for families in our school district. At a time when many people feel voiceless, I am committed to listening and acting in the best interests of the community. I have attended nearly every meeting over the past 2 years and have a variety of experiences that have prepared me to step into the role ready to go on day one.

What is your experience volunteering with or supporting the school district?

I have been actively involved in the district in a number of ways. Professionally, I am a Guest Teacher and have taken on a number of challenging jobs across multiple campuses. As a volunteer, I have served on the FBOC for nearly two years, learning about the biggest needs of our district and advising how to manage a multi-million dollar budget. I am active at Fuentes Elementary where my 3 children attend school, so much so that I won the campus Volunteer of the Year award in 2025. I'm also often seen along the course of campus 5ks, providing safety and encouragement for the runners.

With the state not providing adequate funding for public schools and the Tax Rate Election in November 2025 failing, Hays CISD may face cuts to programs and staff. How would you work to ensure the district continues delivering high-quality education while maintaining a strong accountability rating?

I was heartbroken to learn of the cuts the district just announced at the latest Board meeting. Both of the area Teacher Associations asked that the first thing to be reinstated if Hays CISD somehow received enough money were the stipends for advanced degrees and certifications, followed by a decrease in class sizes. I plan to attend Texas's PTA Rally Day again in 2027 to demand better funding for public schools so these requests can be fulfilled. In the meantime, I will take the time to listen to the needs of educators and help find creative solutions until the State adequately funds public education

Hays CISD currently partners with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office to provide School Resource Officers (SROs), but state law now requires armed security at every campus. With officer shortages making this challenging, how would you work to ensure compliance, and would you support the district creating its own police department?

The SRO program was created to protect students from violence but the safety benefits are often outweighed by their negative effects like increased juvenile incarceration rates, (especially for people of color and those with disabilities), a climate of fear, and greater disconnection. I would encourage the district to ask for a variance as we likely won't be in compliance and encourage our State to reconsider the law. I don't think a district police department would be an effective use of our funds.

In 2025, the Texas Legislature passed SB13, giving parents more oversight of school library materials. Since then, groups like Moms for Liberty have shown up to meetings, raising concerns about certain books and labeling some content as inappropriate. How would you ensure that this review process is used responsibly and does not lead to the removal of books that present diverse perspectives or differing viewpoints?

Librarians are trained professionals, just like principals, educators, and district admins. They should be allowed to curate the available materials in their respective libraries and I plan to rely on their expertise when a book is challenged. If a student’s parent or guardian doesn’t want their child to access specific material, they should have the ability to block it from being checked out.

In early 2026, Hays CISD students protested perceived injustices affecting immigrants and citizens by walking off campus during school hours. The district initially allowed protests but later restricted them after threats from the TEA, the Attorney General, and the Governor. As a trustee, how would you ensure future protests are handled responsibly, balancing student safety with the right to express themselves?

I believe that students have a right to free speech, and I'm disappointed that the district was targeted when students expressed this right. It's up to the community to show up for our youth if the district won't or can't. A safety patrol formed by community members would help the students to balance safety with the right to express themselves.

With Comprehensive High School No. 4 opening in Fall 2029, Hays CISD is planning a major rezoning in 2028; how will you ensure the process is fair, equitable, and considers the district’s diverse population, especially now that the zoning committee process has been discontinued and staff will create proposals for board approval?

As Trustee, I will always ensure an open line of communication is available to any who want to voice their concerns, including staff. Rezoning is never an enjoyable experience but it's important for the safety and quality of education of our students. Using demographer reports and input from staff, I hope to ensure a fair and equitable process that makes the most sense long-term.