While the world tackles climate change, AI ethics, and the moral collapse of TikTok, Frisco is dealing with… loss of our children’s innocence, assaults and stolen/vandalized political signs. That’s right, political signs! Welcome to the great political crime spree of 2025 in what our Mayor and Council claim is one of the safest cities in America, or is something else going on?
If you’ve driven down Preston, Legacy, Main Street, or Eldorado lately, you may have noticed something peculiar: political signs popping up like spring weeds, then suddenly poof—gone. Others are bent, knocked over, or tossed into ditches like yesterday’s Whataburger cup. Some have been found face-down in drainage ditches, others mysteriously sliced like a scene from a low-budget political thriller.
On March 30th, we had a candidate reach out to us letting us know that 15 of her political signs were stolen and several more intentionally damaged. She also stated that zip ties were cut, poles were pushed over, and some poles were completely missing. She documented the damage with pictures to us and said she would be filing a police report. We decided to pull a PIR and research the issue because last year we got the same complaints from candidates.
Now, don’t get us wrong, sign fatigue is real. By week three, those smiling headshots and bold promises start to blur together. But here’s the twist: it’s not just Mother Nature or rogue sprinklers. Nope. It seems there’s something more coordinated—and sneakier—going on.
Reporting Political Signs
First step, we indexed the reports in order. What we found or should we say who we found reporting them – was quite interesting!
1/26/25: Email to City Secretary from Mel M (kookykate) asking how she would make a report for political signage being out more than 90 days before the election.
1/26/25: Email to City Secretary from Councilman John Keating, yes, he used his official city email to report a Elad sign at Legacy & Eldorado. He wanted to know when signs can go up and reported that it does not have Place 4 on the sign. Kristi Morrow replied to him they can go up 90 days prior to an election and nothing in the state code says it has to have a place number on it.
Side Note: Keating has endorsed Elad’s opponent, he is one of the longest councilman in the history of Frisco, he has run several times – so shouldn’t he know the rules by now? Nope. He has to email the City Secretary to ask which shows off his complete incompetent nature.
2/25/25 Case 25023400: Reporting Party said a political sign struck a water line for the HOA water which has now been turned off and they wanted to file a vandalism complaint and complained to be with the HOA. The reporter was unsure if it was a city pipe or commercial pipe and he was told to contact the city water department.
2/25/25 Service Request 4914712: Ann Anderson reported a political sign at the corner of Preston / Warren and wanted to know if it was allowed to be there because she has never seen signage in Stonebriar area of the city.
2/27/25: Email to City Secretary from John Lettelleir, Director of Development Services for the City of Frisco. He was concerned about a sign located on the west side of Independence Pkwy, just north of SH 121 (in front of Race Trac) and was concerned if that was city property. Kristi Morrow, City Secretary responded she also noticed there are signs in the right-of-way along Dallas Parkway / Cotton Gin, and Dallas Parkway / Main. She went on to say some seem to be running down Dallas Parkway by the hospital but not necessarily at an intersection but placed close to the road.
2/27/25: Email to City Secretary from Cindy Hons asking for the city to check the placement of the following signs below.
Muni Sign: NE corner of 121/Preston
Sangita Sign: SE corner of Gaylord/Preston
Sangita Sign: SW corner of Warren/Preston
Sangita Sign: SE corner of Eldorado and Dallas Parkway (alongside Eldorado)
Side Note: We can only assume Cindy Hons makes her away around the city often to see all these signs in one day.
2/27/25 Case# CE25-00618: Randy Archambualt called code enforcement to make a complaint related to “incorrect sign placement” regarding a Burt Thakur political sign on teal parkway. It is interesting that Randy was once married to Rene (Frisco ISD BOT) and is a known supporter for the opposite side of the isle.
2/28/25 Email to City Secretary: Ginni Scott emailed the city secretary regarding the political sign she felt was a “safety concern” at the intersection of Teel Pkwy / The Trails Pkwy.
2/28/25 Email to City Secretary from Ben Brezina Assistant City Manager regarding a “big giant political sign” for Burt Thakur at Teel / The Trails Parkway and he is concerned that is hard to see oncoming south bound traffic when trying to turn south on to Teel.
Amy Moore, Code Enforcement Supervisor immediately sends it to Amy Smith telling her to have it checked TODAY and if this is VISION CLIP to remove it. She specifically notes “THIS IS FROM 5TH FLOOR AND BEN LIVES OVER THERE”
Side Note: Why does it matter that it came in from the 5th FLOOR? The fact that Amy Moore wrote that in her email, clearly shows a bias. Ben Brezina works for the City Manager’s Office, who clearly supports the encumbant and the FCFA. If it is not a targeted attack by all of these folks – it sure looks like it.
3/4/25 Case# CE25-00681: Reporter listed as ADMIN sent an email (which the city did not provide us) lodging a complaint for “Incorrect Sign Placement” at the NE Corner State Hwy 121 and Preston for a MUNI sign. It was determined by code enforcement that the sign as NOT in violation. Who is the ADMIN that reported it?
3/4/25 Case# CE25-00695: Email complaint received by Caleb Davis for a Burt Thakur sign located at the NE Corner of Preston / Lebanon and it was later determined it was NOT in violation.
3/4/25 Case# CE25-00697: Email complaint received by Caleb Davis for a Burt Thakur sign at the SW Corner of Preston / Lebanon and it was later determined it was NOT in violation.
Side Note: We researched the number on the report for Caleb Davis and funny thing – the number did not come back to a Caleb Davis nor anyone that lives in Frisco.
Is This the Pettiest Political Season Yet? Yes! City officials and supporters of specific candidates are now going around documenting and reporting their opponents’ signs to the City—for being too close to the curb, for not having the right permit, or just for existing in the wrong median. It’s like Mean Girls but with clipboards and zoning codes.
Sign Stealer in our Midst? Multiple candidates have emailed us that their signs have been damaged or stollen. Removing your opponent’s signs doesn’t make your message stronger, it makes you look desperate. It’s political sabotage with the maturity level of a middle schooler sneaking gum into detention.
For those thinking of tampering with a campaign political sign – don’t! In Texas, tampering with campaign signs is a crime and is a Class C misdemeanor. That’s the same category as public intoxication and fireworks violations—basically, it’s for people who lack impulse control and creativity.
Why the Drama Over Corrugated Plastic? Is it just ego? Control issues? The thrill of a late-night mission to liberate signs from a busy intersection? Maybe. But more likely, it’s a symptom of something deeper, a political culture that’s forgotten how to win people over with ideas and instead relies on eliminating competition by any means necessary. Including sign sabotage.
What does this say about us as voters, as neighbors, as a city? Maybe it says we need to start demanding more maturity from the people asking for our votes. Or maybe it just says that campaign season turns otherwise reasonable adults into territorial raccoons with a hammer and a clipboard. Either way, the message is clear: Frisco deserves better. We can disagree on policy without disappearing each other’s signs in the dead of night. Let’s raise the bar, not just the yard signs.
We want to hear from you: Do you think Burt Thakur, Muni, Jared Elad and Sangita Datta are being targeted?
Seen any suspicious sign activity? Know someone with a trunk full of political signage that doesn’t belong to them? Report it to the police or drop us a line—anonymity guaranteed.
Currently, our great city of Frisco is facing a lot of pressure from “outside forces” relating to the Anthony / Metcalf case. Everywhere you turn, from social media posts to the news stations (nationwide), they are talking about this case. We have a Civil Rights Group meeting with our Police Department, demanding fair justice and asking our Board of Trustees not to expel Anthony when he has one month left in his senior year.
Recently, we saw a post by Councilman, John Keating where he said he recently endorsed a Frisco ISD Trustee candidate, believing we shared a vision for academic excellence, transparency and parental empowerment. He went on to say he was made aware of several social media posts the candidate made in the past which contradict those values.” Then he closes with in light of these revelations, I am withdrawing my endorsement for this candidate.
At first, we were confused because Mr. Keating, who has Whistleblower blocked from his Official Councilman page (breaking the law), never saw a post of his “original endorsement.” We started digging around and realized he had endorsed Stuart Shulman for Frisco ISD BOT Place 3. We looked through Shulman’s page and didn’t see much that concerned us, which left us more confused. Then we saw in several different Facebook groups, screenshots of posts from his page that had been shared, and now we understood.
The first photo is of Shulman with a Beto For Texas sign. No big deal vote for who you want as that is your constitutional right! However, Keating claims to be a Republican and he donates to several Republicans and for him to OPENLY ENDORSE a democrat is a BIG Problem because he will lose his claim to be a Republican (to his Republican friends). He can quietly endorse a democrat and then play stupid but not someone openly posting their political view. As we said to each his own, we are a house divided and it is Shulman’s constitutional right to vote for whoever he wants, and we respect our differences.
Then we saw the BLM – Black Lives Matter Post! Here is a man who wants to run for our Board of Trustee’s openly supporting a racially divisive group. Everyone has a feeling or opinion on BLM and to act as if it is not controversial would-be understatement. We just had a horrible thing happen here in our district and if Shulman was on the Board of Trustee’s would he be shouting Black Lives Matter? He should be shouting ALL OUR KIDS LIVES MATTERS! Would that make an impact on his decisions? Honestly, I don’t want to find out!
This is not Frisco! Frisco is a blended community and that is honestly what makes us great. We may not all agree politically – that’s okay! We may not all operate the same – that’s okay! However, divisive rhetoric based on race or the color of one’s skin tone is simply unacceptable from a Leader in this city. Our children need real leaders right now! Our school district has real LIFE AND DEATH issues happening. Our children deserve to be safe and know that all their lives matter (red, yellow, brown, black, white and blue). The last thing we need is someone on our Board of Trustees who supports any type of race-driven organization or racially divisive groups. Just NOT ACCEPTABLE!
The question we have after this tragic event and after all the folks saying we are not a racially divided community – why didn’t the rest of them pull their endorsements? That’s right, Shulman is endorsed by a lot of our folks in our community and no one else pulled their endorsements. It begs the question do the following folks support a man who openly supports a racially divisive group to be on our schoolboard? Do they think this is the kind of leader we need today facing the adversity we are facing? If yes, then you should question THEIR JUDGEMENT!
Are we surprised Mayor Jeff Cheney endorsed him? No, he already took a knee in solidarity!
What about the rest? At a time when we should be unified for ALL THE CHILDREN IN OUR DISTRICT – do these so-called leaders support this? The two other candidates (Suresh and Renee) that have been campaigning with him – silent! Angelia Pelham – silent! Rene Archambault – Silent! The list goes on! If these leaders sit in silence at this time, after what has happened then in our opinion, they do support him and what he stands for. They are advocating for him to be on the Board of Trustee’s. Is that what you want for your child? Is that what we want for all the children in the district? I hope not!
So here we are, perched on the edge of civic glory or total chaos, depending on which Facebook group you follow. Early voting begins tomorrow, and I encourage you to participate. Not just because it matters (which it does), but because if you don’t vote, someone with worse judgment than you will.
– The Frisco Chronicles Your Friendly Neighborhood Overthinker
Occupation and Background: Financial Advisor – I own my own Wealth Management Firm
Why are you running for Frisco City Council?
I’m running for Frisco City Council because I think we need to start serving the residents of Frisco more effectively, instead of serving the developers and Frisco elite. We need to slow down the density and address the traffic issues, as well as focus on public safety. I also want to focus more on fiscal responsibility and transparency and less on vanity projects such as the PAC and Universal.
Community and Development
What are your top three priorities for Frisco’s growth and development?
Slow down density/halt building apartment complexes; Focus on responsible, community friendly development on the east side; Address traffic in a meaningful way
How do you plan to balance economic growth with maintaining community character?
I’d like to focus more on smaller projects for the community and not so many mega projects. And, I’d like to focus on attracting more small businesses to Frisco.
What is your stance on residential and commercial zoning changes?
Not sure I understand the context of the question
How will you ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with growth?
I think we need to slow down the growth and let the infrastructure catch up. Future projects should have a plan for infrastructure built in at the beginning. And, it must be adhered to.
Density continues to be a hot discussion for Frisco Residents. Cheney even did a video on Density seven years ago when running for Mayor. He said in that video that the resident’s ultimate concerns was the concept of density and what the ultimate build out population number should be.
At build out the city’s comprehensive plan allows a maximum capacity of up to 350 thousand residents (building with maximum density). He then said in his campaign video that is not what people move to Frisco for, and he believed to maintain quality of life the population target goal should be around 280,000. He continued, we need to build out with world-class level developments with more open space, less multi-family all over the city and an overall less dense environment. In the last two years Cheney has changed his tune and said, “Density is a political dog whistle used at election time for political mailers.”
What is stance on Density?
Density is a real issue for Frisco citizens. Many have cited this as a reason for leaving. And, it’s creating quality of life issues for everyone. The only way to address it is to slow down the growth and determine what the right population number is for Frisco. 350k residents seems too high.
Fiscal Responsibility and Budgeting
What would be your approach to managing the city’s budget while ensuring essential services are maintained?
First, make sure that essential services are covered. We need to take care of our fire and police departments as well as other city services. Beyond that, all expenditures need to be thoroughly and reasonably evaluated to determine if they are necessary.
Do you believe Frisco’s current property tax rates are sustainable? Would you support any changes including cuts, increases or adjustments to the current property tax rates? Why or why not?
No. Residents can’t afford their property taxes based on the appreciation of their valuations. Even when the city and Frisco ISD lowers the tax rate, residents still don’t see it as their tax bill gets higher every year. I would be for reducing the rate but that isn’t enough.
What are your funding priorities for public safety, education, and infrastructure?
Public safety should be fully funded including additional police officers to handle the increased issues that will come with Universal (traffic, crime). See my previous comments about infrastructure.
How would you plan to handle Frisco’s increasing debt and financial obligations?
The debt can be handled by not taking on any more of it. The addiction to debt/bonds needs to stop to ensure the financial health of the city for years to come. TIRZ money can be used to pay debt obligations.
In December of 2021, the Mayor, Jeff Cheeney had to vote in a rare tie breaker vote in regard to an employee Health Clinic operated by Premise Health. At the time city staff shared the results of a survey which collected responses from 684 of 1,239 city employees. Out of those 684, a total of 89.75% said they were likely or somewhat likely” to use the clinic for urgent care needs. Only 64.7% said they were likely to “somewhat use” the clinic as their primary care provider.
Estimated expenses in the clinic’s first year total over $1.44 million, according to the proposed five-year budget. Those expenses include salaries, insurance, management/implementation fees and equipment purchases. The clinic’s fifth-year budget is listed at more than $1.31 million. It was projected that the clinic will operate at a loss in its first three years. The estimated cost for the first five years was $6.28 million. At the time there was a concern about how many years it could take to break even on the investment and how many employees would use the option.
At the five-year mark if the clinic is still not breaking even would you support closing the Employee Wellness Clinic or continue to operate at a loss?
Yes, I would support closing the clinic if it’s not at break even.
Should the city be in the business or running an Athletic Center, Performing Arts Center, or any other type of business model that mirrors a commercial business which has annual operational costs paid for by tax dollars?
No
Transparency and Accountability
How will you ensure transparency in your decision-making process and open communication between the city council and residents?
I will explain my decisions on key votes so that the community understands my reasoning. I will also make myself available to meet with residents by hosting regular town halls and I will also listen when community members speak at city council meetings and read their emails.
Currently only the city council meeting is aired live, however many residents believe they should have access to live meetings for the different boards and commissions as well as well as the published minutes of the meetings should be more detailed as to what was discussed.
Do you support more increased public access to city council meetings, boards and commission meetings?
Yes
What steps would you take to improve access to meetings, meeting minutes and public records?
I would see what other cities do and replicate the good ideas in Frisco by submitting a proposal for change.
What is your definition of conflict of interest?
A conflict of interest is when someone could potentially benefit from actions or decisions made in an official capacity.
Do you support implementing a stricter ethics policy that puts a check on the influence of money in local politics which would require council members to recuse themselves from votes that could benefit donors who contributed more than $1000 or $2500.00 to a political campaign?
Yes
Do you believe active members of the city council should be on the front lines advocating as “private citizens” for Propositions on the ballot during local elections?
No
Community Services and Quality of Life
What are your plans for enhancing public parks and recreation on Frisco’s East Side of the DNT?
If Brinkmann Ranch is to be entirely sold, I would work to ensure that some of the land be allocated for public use. The city could require the developers who purchase the land to fund the project/s. That is probably the best location. I would like to see some of the land kept for the cows to graze as that is part of Frisco’s history.
How do you plan to address traffic congestion across Frisco?
Work to ensure the traffic signals work more effectively. Remove concrete medians where the left turn lane traffic spills into the center lane regularly (at DNT and Eldorado for example).
Do you think Frisco has a public transportation need? No
How will you engage with and listen to diverse voices of the community?
See question 1 in the previous section
Public Safety
What measures will you take to ensure Frisco’s Police and Fire Department remain well-funded?
I will ask the departments what they need, validate that by looking at other city models and then advocating for funding.
For years the Frisco Firefighters Association has taken to the citizens input pulpit asking for more staffing (specifically going from a 3 Man Truck to a 4 Man Truck). Turnover has been high recently with Firefighters taking retirement and then going to work for other cities who are more supportive of their First Responders.
Do you support increased staffing and moving to a 4 Person Truck? Yes
What will you do to start repairing the relationship with our first responders to stop the turnover, so they stay here in Frisco, and we don’t lose that much needed experience and wisdom.
I will meet with the fire fighters regularly and listen to their concerns. I will also ensure that retention is improved by implementing a target and holding the city manager and fire chief responsible for achieving it. I would start with a 2% decrease in turnover and go from there.
As Frisco continues to grow, do you believe Frisco’s current policies on crime prevention and emergency response are sufficient? Why or why not?
I don’t think we are staffed appropriately for Universal and need to evaluate what is needed before situations escalate. The recent stabbing of a Frisco ISD student shows that this is not the same city it was a few years ago. We need to staff for the situations we encounter today.
Would you support removing Animal Services “out” from under Public Safety and turning it into its own department?
Yes
Residents have been advocating for an animal shelter (instead of the partnership with Collin County) and the city keeps stalling, saying they are open to one with a public-private partnership. Do you believe Frisco should have its own Animal Shelter and Education Center? Do you believe it is a city service, or should it be a public-private partnership?
Yes, and yes it Is a city service?
Closing Statements
Is there anything you would like us to know about you that we have not asked?
As part of our commitment to keeping Frisco residents informed and engaged, we sent a candidate questionnaire to all the individuals running for the Frisco ISD Board of Trustees using the contact information provided on their website. We appreciate those who took the time to respond and provide thoughtful responses. Unfortunately, Renee Sample and Ange Yao also running for Place 2, chose not to reply.
Occupation and Background: Self Employed, Former Financial Advisor
Prior to running, how have you been involved in the community?
I have been involved in multiple ISD committees including being one of the first people chosen for the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee. I was one of 8 parents chosen to present to teachers, admin and paraprofessionals for the first ever Behavior Symposium on what it’s likie being a parent of a special needs child. I was also on the Parent Panel that evaluated Standards based grading. Additionally I was on the District Advisory Council and was part of the Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum sub-committee. I also sit on the board for The Frisco Bowl, Leadership Council for The National Small Business Association and have been President of multiple networking groups.
What experience or skills do you have that will make you a great board member?
I think I excel at asking questions in a unique way that garner answers the average person wouldn’t get. Because of my financial background, business mindset and strategic approach, I think I can help foster relationships, handle challenging situations and stand firm in the face of adversity. My decades of experience in the corporate world and as a small business owner have helped me gain knowledge in human capital, changing financial markets, sales, management, training, marketing and branding. Education is a business and it needs to be treated as such. Gone are the days of running districts as if they have a blank check coming from the community. We need people like me who will take a business centered approach and reinstitute a culture of hospitality back into our ISD. Besides being a business, education is a service and we need to remember our clients are our students and our teachers.
What are the 3 most critical issues facing the district today?
This is a fascinating question because as I was preparing for my run back in December I was focused on what my top three issues should be and I boldly put them on my street signs. It’s as if I was clairvoyant with Fiscal Responsibility, School Safety and District Transparency. But we can’t stop there. The level of rigor of our curriculum is declining along with our enrollment. We have teachers in AP classes that don’t know the curriculum and the students are forced to learn on their own. This was just confirmed at the South Asian Business Alliance yesterday, 4/19/21, by a student in the audience when I brought it up!
How do you plan to address these issues?
🔹 Fiscal Responsibility
Our community deserves a school district that treats every dollar like it matters — because it does. As a former financial adviser and small business owner, I know how to manage budgets and make smart, sustainable decisions. On the board, I’ll:
Push for clear, detailed, line-item budgets the public can easily understand.
Hold district leadership accountable for overspending and inefficiencies.
Prioritize classroom funding over bloated administrative costs.
Have a teacher centered budget
🔹 School Safety
Parents should never have to wonder if their kids are safe at school — period. I will work to ensure our safety policies are strong, consistent, and transparent. That means:
Conducting regular reviews of safety protocols across all campuses.
Working with law enforcement and safety experts to implement best practices, not just checklists. I have a great relationship with our current Frisco police chief
Ensuring mental health resources are available and accessible for students in crisis.
Listening to teachers, students, and parents about what safety really means on the ground.
🔹 District Transparency
You can’t have trust without transparency. I’ll fight to make Frisco ISD more open, honest, and responsive by:
Requiring timely public communication from the board and superintendent — especially in emergencies.
Demanding that decisions (like school closures, rezoning, or leadership hires) are made with community input, not behind closed doors.
Supporting regular Q&A sessions and open forums with board members. I think doing 2-3 of these town halls per year will increase community engagement and trust.
Publishing clear explanations of board votes and policy changes so families know what’s really happening.
Do you support ESA’s and Senate Bill 2?
No I do not. They come with too many strings and is not truly the educational freedom that people are looking for.
It is crucial to maintain the financial health and integrity of the Frisco ISD community. Parents believe the need for transparency and accountability is at an all-time high in the district. Would you support a official Forensic Audit of the district’s finances by an independent 3rd party?
Yes, I fully support a forensic audit of Frisco ISD.
Transparency and accountability are at the heart of effective leadership — and right now, many in our community are losing trust in how our district manages its finances. A forensic audit isn’t just about identifying fraud or mismanagement; it’s about restoring public confidence, increasing fiscal responsibility, and ensuring our tax dollars are truly serving our students.
As a former financial adviser, I understand the difference between a routine audit and a forensic audit. A forensic audit digs deeper — it’s a detailed, investigative look at how money is being spent, how contracts are awarded, and whether financial practices align with district policies and ethical standards. It’s not about politics or pointing fingers — it’s about getting answers and setting a higher standard moving forward.
I believe a forensic audit should:
Identify wasteful or questionable spending
Ensure procurement and contracting processes are fair, legal, and transparent
Provide clarity on large expenditures that have raised public concerns
Give taxpayers and families the transparency they deserve
This isn’t a criticism of every employee or administrator in FISD. It’s about making sure the system is clean, efficient, and trustworthy — and if it isn’t, then we fix it.
A district with a $900M+ annual budget should welcome this level of scrutiny — not fear it. If elected, I will be a voice at the table pushing to make a forensic audit happen and to ensure its findings are made public in full.
Because at the end of the day, it’s your money, and you deserve to know exactly how it’s being used.
Do you believe the current districts’ disciplinary procedures are acceptable or do you believe we need to update our procedures for discipline and safety?
Yes, I absolutely believe our behavior policies need to be updated.
As a parent and a community member, I’ve seen and heard far too many stories of disruptive behavior, violence, and a lack of accountability in our schools. Our current policies are inconsistent, outdated, and in some cases, ineffective — and that’s putting both students and teachers at risk.
We need behavior policies that:
Are clear, consistent, and enforced across all campuses
Support teachers and administrators in maintaining safe, respectful learning environments
Include real consequences for serious misconduct — not just vague warnings or delayed action
Provide pathways for intervention and support, especially for students dealing with trauma or mental health challenges
Protect the learning experience for students who come to school ready to grow and succeed
Updating our discipline policies isn’t about being overly punitive — it’s about setting high expectations, enforcing boundaries, and creating a school culture rooted in respect, safety, and responsibility.
I believe in restoring order, protecting students and staff, and giving schools the tools they need to act decisively. Our educators deserve better. Our families deserve better. And most of all — our students deserve schools where they can learn without fear or chaos.
If elected, I will push for a comprehensive review and overhaul of the current behavior code — with input from teachers, parents, students, and law enforcement where appropriate. It’s time for a reset.
What do you believe needs to happen with Staley Middle School and how should this be handled?
Staley Middle School should have been repaired or rebuilt seven years ago, just as the district promised. Instead, teachers, staff, and students have been forced to endure unacceptable conditions — mold, leaking ceilings so bad it rains inside when it rains outside, and lead-contaminated water from outdated pipes. This is not just a facilities issue — it’s a failure of leadership, planning, and basic human decency.
No school in Frisco — or anywhere — should ever fall into this kind of disrepair. That this situation was allowed to continue for years is beyond comprehension, and those responsible for delaying action must be held accountable.
But this is not just about Staley. It’s about how we make decisions in this district. We’re told the school may close due to low enrollment, but that’s only part of the story. I believe a deeper dive is needed — one that looks beyond the numbers and into the real-world impacts:
How many students actually walk to Staley?
How will closures affect transportation, safety, and family logistics?
What role is declining district trust playing in enrollment drops?
Why are families choosing to leave Frisco ISD — and what are we doing about it?
Until the district is willing to ask hard questions and listen to the community, we’ll be stuck in this cycle — and Staley won’t be the last school on the chopping block.
We need long-term vision, not short-term fixes. We need leadership that prioritizes student health, staff safety, and honest dialogue with families. And we need to rebuild trust, starting with the way we treat the people and places at the heart of our school system.
Do you have knowledge of Roberts’ Rules and Board Meeting Decorum?
Yes. During my tenure on the board for the Long Beach Jaycees, we used Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Procedure at every meeting. Plus I have the book.
What efforts or changes could be made to increase decisive leadership and improve community trust during board meetings?
Strengthening Leadership and Rebuilding Trust Starts at the Board Table
Frisco ISD families deserve leadership that listens, acts, and communicates clearly. Right now, many community members feel shut out of the process — their voices are limited, their questions go unanswered, and meetings often feel performative rather than productive.
To increase decisive leadership and rebuild trust, I believe we need to make immediate and meaningful changes, including:
🔹 Expand Public Speaking Time: Parents and community members shouldn’t feel rushed when voicing concerns. I will advocate for longer and more flexible speaking times during board meetings to ensure every voice is heard — not hurried.
🔹 Introduce a “Student Corner”: At each board meeting, a rotating group of students should be given the chance to speak about their experiences, achievements, and concerns. If we’re making decisions about them, they deserve a seat at the table.
🔹 Hold Regular Community Town Halls (2–3 times/year): The board should proactively engage with families, educators, and students outside of formal meetings. Scheduled town halls would create a space for real dialogue, listening sessions, and collaborative problem-solving.
🔹 Mandate Superintendent Communication Policy: The Superintendent should not have the option to go silent during times of crisis or confusion. The board must implement a clear policy that defines when, how, and how quickly the Superintendent communicates with the public. This must be tied to their performance goals — because transparency is not optional.
If elected, I will push for a culture of respect, responsiveness, and results. No more confusion. No more closed doors. Just honest leadership that brings the community in, not pushes it out.
Lastly, anything you want voters to know about you!
I love this district with all my heart. It’s given so much to my family, and I believe in what Frisco ISD can be at its best. But I also know that not every family has had the same experience — and that pains me deeply. No parent should feel unheard. No student should feel unsafe. No teacher should feel unsupported. That’s why I’m running.
I’m not here for a title or a spotlight. I’m here because I believe in service, and because I want every child — in every corner of this district — to have the opportunity to thrive. I want to elevate students, support families, and help make decisions that restore trust and strengthen our schools.
This is about doing what’s right, not what’s easy. I’m ready to show up, listen, lead, and stand up for what matters most — our kids.
Meet Dr. Amit Kalra who is running for Frisco ISD Board of Trustees Place 1. We appreciate Dr. Kalra for submitting his responses to our candidate questions. We have published his answers as submitted to us.
Prior to running, how have you been involved in the community?
In Frisco ISD I have been a part of the District Advisory Council, Capital Projects committee, Library Reconsideration Committee Review Pool, Bond Exploration committee and the Leadership Board Academy
In Frisco City, I have completed the City Hall 101 Program and have been a part of the Frisco Cricket League captains and volunteer committee.
I have served in the HOA of my community and developed a newsletter for the community.
I have been organizing community events and cultural meets, all at-cost to provide the best experience at minimal cost to the attendees and not drawing any profit from it for 8 years now.
I have been volunteering in every community I have lived in for the past 25 years.
What experience or skills do you have that will make you a great board member?
By volunteering in different committees, I have learned about the different departments, operations, personnel and the idea exchange platform through the workshops. Recently we had a workshop attended by the candidates and BOT. The results of that workshop for planning the 2025-26 school year was shared with the District Advisory Council, I was a part of that too- other candidates were not. I am the only candidate in my race who will be ready to take on the role from Day one and save the district time and resources for training. I am also aware of what are the direct and indirect needs of the district at the moment.
I am a parent of Frisco ISD 6th grader who has been to three different elementary schools in Frisco ISD.
I am a physical therapist who has worked with children with special needs.
I am a healthcare professional and we don’t have one on the school board.
What are the 3 most critical issues facing the district today?
Deficit budget, decreasing enrollment and school safety are the three most critical issues being faced by the district today.
How do you plan to address these issues?
school safety through increased teacher empowerment and ability to escalate issues to take control of the situation instead of delayed response from procedural timings.
Decreasing enrollment by addressing the needs of the community and improving the and making more accurate assumptions in budget calculations. This will prevent overestimation of enrollment numbers.
Deficit budget through restructuring of departments as necessary and prevent the execution of “all or none” law currently in place for replacement of equipment and furniture. Analyze the increased spending on the healthcare services and the counsellor services ( it encompasses a whole lot more than just school counselors).
The new challenge that got created today is the passing of HB3. Maintaining student enrollment is a challenge the new board will face.
Do you support ESA’s and Senate Bill 2?
I do not support ESA, but it got passed today.
It is crucial to maintain the financial health and integrity of the Frisco ISD community. Parents believe the need for transparency and accountability is at an all-time high in the district. Would you support a official Forensic Audit of the district’s finances by an independent 3rd party?
The Board of Trustees oversee the performance review of two personnel’s- The Superintendant and the internal auditor. We are currently rated top amongst the top financial review benchmarks in place. The financial reports are available online. I would, however, like more details about the line items since they encompass a lot of sub items under those few words. If the need arises for an Independent 3rd party audit the board has the power to vote on it, but then approval of that third independent third party may also get questioned by some sections of the society. It’s also an added cost when implemented. There needs to be substantial evidence to demonstrate some wrong doing to make these changes. I believe in transparency and accountable finances.
Do you believe the current districts’ disciplinary procedures are acceptable or do you believe we need to update our procedures for discipline and safety?
I think there is a scope for continuous improvement in the districts disciplinary procedures with a lot more common sense application in place. It’s too rigid and too structured that limits the perpetrators for getting punished for provocation. Teachers also feel limited in their ability to act, handle and respond to a situation and the events that occur post situation.
Our procedures need to enhance towards AI related image morphing and visual generation that may mislead a student, teacher, staff or parent in to believing its accuracy. Cell phone presence reduction, free time screen usage reduction, and reduction of barriers to reporting and increased usage of StopIt app will help to further address these issues.
What do you believe needs to happen with Staley Middle School and how should this have been handled?
As a capital projects committee member I was anticipating meeting to discuss Plan B and Plan C for Staley after the Bond failure but were disbanded. I disagree with this course is action. Any discussion about closure should have been a recommendation from this committee first. Communication was inadequate from Nov to Mar between the district and the Staley parents/ administration. When half the staff is moved out then why are discussions being placed now? It’s more painful to see these thousand paper cuts. At this point it’s been pushed to the point of closure as the only option which will be announced after the elections. It will close whether it’s for repairs or permanent closure.
Capital projects committee should have decided on the next steps. The demographer should have been changed. The communication to the board about the impact and financial implications of every aspect of Staley closure/ delayed closure/ and continued operation should have been shared at a meeting at Staley itself with the board and Staley community present.
Do you have knowledge of Roberts’ Rules and Board Meeting Decorum?
Yes. This is the big highlight after the last board meeting where the rules were reduced to words in a book. These rules were also shared as a part of our HOA board.
What efforts or changes could be made to increase decisive leadership and improve community trust during board meetings?
Being present for the workshops and discussions prior to the meeting.
Asking the hard unpleasant questions behind the scene to make a clear understanding of the situation and its implications.
Understanding the leadership role and the influence of emotions Vs facts/logic.
Accuracy in the meeting order items and staying on course with the meeting items.
Elect leaders who will stand up and take a stand instead of pleasantry panderers.
Lastly, anything you want voters to know about you!
My child attends middle school in Frisco ISD and every decision I will make will have an impact for the next 6 years. With school voucher program passing we need a leader that understands the role and will help to quickly adapt to the changes. I have a Presidential Voluntary Service Award. As a healthcare worker I took a stand against the Covid-19 vaccine because I didn’t find the research convincing. This impacted me and my family directly. I operate and make decisions based on facts, evidence, research, and critical analysis. All my friends know that I am keen follower of rules and regulations. I took the time out away from my family to learn about the role before I filled out my application.
I am here to serve because it’s important to have the right leadership for decision making.
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