Candidate Profile: Lee 'Mac' Walker For Houston ISD Position 7

Editor's note: Some responses have been edited for clarity.

HOUSTON, TX — Harris County voters will soon make their decision on local races in the Nov. 2 election.

Lee "Mac" Walker, who is running for Houston ISD Board of Trustees Position 7, shared with Patch why he should be elected to represent the Houston ISD community.

Live in Houston? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone.

Profile: Lee "Mac" Walker

Age (as of Election Day): 51

Position Sought

Houston ISD Board Position 7

Family

Wife, Cynthia Walker (45); Children, Addison (15), Luke (12) and Kate (8)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Duke University, Bachelor of Science and The University of Texas, Masters in Business Administration

Occupation

Business owner

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

www.macwalkerforhisd.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

We need a better board to provide a better education to kids in Houston.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Funding. I believe there is plenty of money, but it is being mismanaged, and as a result, principals struggle to provide a quality education for all students. I would like to prioritize:

1. Great teachers in every classroom. We must offer competitive pay and provide development opportunities to attract and retain the best teachers.
2. A review of the school funding model. We would examine the absolute level of funding and the metrics used to allocate funds.
3. A complete budget evaluation. We must ask on what should we spend and what should we not. This will free up funds for teachers and other services at schools.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

There are three distinct advantages I offer.

1. I have spent my entire professional career in business. We desperately need a business perspective on this board.
2. I have had children in HISD for the last seven years, and I am intimately familiar with the issues that students, teachers and parents are managing.
3. I will bring a level of integrity and leadership that the incumbent lacks.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

One word … leadership. Anne Sung failed the public trust when she chose to participate in a potential illegal hiring of a superintendent for the district in 2018. She failed students when she allowed the district to continue without a vision and a superintendent during her entire tenure, only hiring one right before she would be put to the test during re-election. She failed teachers and students when she chose not to support Teach for America and to vote against HISD becoming a District of Innovation. She failed students, teachers and principles when she allowed funding to become more centralized and wasted by the district. She failed teachers when she did not ensure the funds to provide a competitive wage and development opportunities.

Editor's check: The HISD board voted to remove interim superintendent Grenita Lathan and replace her with former superintendent Abe Saavedra before backtracking and reinstating her in 2018. A permanent superintendent wasn't hired until the board appointed Millard House II in June. Sung voted against accelerating the application process for District of Innovation status in 2020, citing concerns over teacher certification exemptions, but the measure passed 7-2. She abstained from a vote to renew a contract with Teach For America that failed 4-4 in 2019.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

COVID-19 has been an unprecedented situation for this country and every school district. I think local officials performed poorly during the pandemic. As a parent and citizen, it felt like the school district could have communicated better, could have provided more opportunity to discuss recommendations, could have looked for best practices and could have operated with more urgency.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

HISD is in crisis. It has declining enrollment, rising costs and poor student performance. If it were a business, it would be bankrupt. I intend to bring my business experience to partner with our new superintendent and fellow trustees to improve the business of education at HISD.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My life experience. Finding my way out of a difficult family situation demonstrates I have the resilience, the intellect and the dedication to make even the most challenging situations turn to positive outcomes.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Keep learning and growing as a person.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

HISD incorrectly certified my name on the ballot. I am the first name listed as Lee Walker. This is different than I requested as Mac Walker, which my mother has called me since birth.