The school board candidacy of Katy ISD namesake James Cross highlights the inadequacies in Katy ISD's school naming policies, which lack sufficient safeguards against political exploitation. The current policies need updating to prevent the use of school naming processes for campaign purposes, as evidenced by the timing of Mr. Cross's candidacy for school board against board president Victor Perez.
Just thirty-seven days after the School Board voted to name the campus after James and Mitzi Cross, Mr. Cross filed paperwork to run for a seat on the school board. This sequence raises serious questions about transparency, as Mr. Cross did not disclose his political aspirations during the school naming process. The public deserves answers about who in the district's leadership - both on the school board and in the administration - knew about his candidacy plans, and when they acquired this information. The proximity of these events warrants scrutiny to ensure the naming process wasn't used to gain political advantage.
Running for school board while having a school named after oneself creates significant political advantages, particularly during the construction phase of that school. This timing provides numerous campaign and photo opportunities through standard district activities: mascot selection, color choices, and community meetings with parents.
When these routine school planning events overlap with a candidate's campaign - especially one whose name is on the building - it becomes difficult to distinguish between legitimate district outreach and campaign activities. This intersection of personal recognition and public service raises legitimate concerns about the integrity of both the school naming process and board elections.
This timing raises questions: was the naming decision based solely on Cross's service to the district, or was it strategically timed to provide maximum visibility during a planned campaign?
The biography of James and Mitzi Cross, circulated when the administration proposed honoring them with the district's highest recognition - a school naming - is notably lacking in specific accomplishments. Instead, it focuses heavily on members of his family, not him specifically.
"James comes from a family of educators. His brother served as a teacher and coach at WoodCreek Junior High in Katy ISD and as assistant principal in Cy-Fair ISD. The couple's daughter and son-in-law are both teachers in Katy ISD, with their son-in-law having previously been named Teacher of the Year at West Memorial Junior High in 2018. James and Mitzi's youngest daughter is currently pursuing a career in education."
The biography notably omits any specific achievements or contributions that would warrant such an honor. While Mr. Cross's popularity as a principal is well-known, should popularity and being from a family of educators be sufficient criteria for the district's highest honor?
This context becomes particularly relevant when considering his opponent. School Board President Victor Perez has established himself as a vocal advocate for parental rights, which can make him unpopular with district administrators who prefer more centralized decision-making.
Perez's commitment to decentralized decision-making likely stems from his firsthand experience with authoritarian control. As a child in post-revolution Cuba, he witnessed Castro's regime systematically dismantling individual freedoms. He carries vivid memories of the military appearing in his neighborhood to assign children for state-mandated tasks. The day Castro's military posted a notice on his family's home, declaring it state property, remains etched in Perez's memory. These early experiences of centralized power likely shaped his deep-seated belief in protecting parental rights and individual freedoms from institutional overreach.
The current situation demonstrates why Katy ISD must fundamentally reform its school naming policies. Schools don't have to be named after people. The district already has successful examples of schools named after communities or geographical features - Cinco Ranch and Seven Lakes High Schools being prime examples.
When schools are named after individuals, the district would be wise to follow the practice many institutions have adopted: waiting until after a person's death to consider such an honor. Doing so allows for a complete evaluation of their work and lasting impact on the community, free from political considerations or contemporary controversies. More importantly, it ensures that school naming remains what it should be: a reflection of enduring contributions to education, not a tool for political advancement. The district's students, parents, and taxpayers deserve nothing less.