What a School Board Trustee Actually Does
Policy, budget, superintendent oversight, public accountability, and the line between governance and management.
Quick answer
Trustees set policy and vision, adopt the budget, hire and evaluate the superintendent, and hold the system accountable. They do not personally run campuses or supervise district employees.
What changed or what the rule says
A trustee’s power is exercised as part of the elected board in properly posted meetings, not as an individual executive.
Why this matters to Katy ISD
Clear roles help the Board focus on outcomes, risk, finances, policy, and public reporting while allowing educators and administrators to operate schools.
What I would watch as a trustee
I would ask hard questions in public, decide from evidence, explain the reasoning, and provide stability after the vote.
What this does not mean
Governance does not mean passive agreement. It means challenging assumptions at the right level without taking over administration.