For the first time in memory, one current and five former Fort Bend ISD trustees have sent out a letter via e-mail supporting particular candidates in the Saturday, May 10 election.

The e-mail was to “Dear Friends” and asks for “assistance in electing three new people to the FBISD board of trustees.” The letter supports the election of former educator Susan Hohnbaum, who is running against incumbent Stan Magee for Position 1 (west); Dr. Jonita Reynolds, who is running against incumbent Laurie Caldwell, for Position 5 (east), and Daniel Menendez, who opposes Rodrigo Carreon, for Position 4 (at large).

The letter reminds voters that “both of the incumbents were part of the Lisa Rickert ‘new guard.’ They were part of the dysfunction and major disruption in FBISD over the past four years. FBISD taxpayers are well aware of this dysfunction and understand that it will continue if we fail to vote.

“We witnessed and experienced the malicious, unethical behavior of this group. It is time for a clean slate. It is time for FBISD to march forward unencumbered,” the letter continued.

It is signed by current Trustee Cynthia Knox, who has been a trustee for 11 years but did not file to run again, and former trustees Sue Hauenstein, Bruce Bain, Jane Clarke, Rita Drabek and Arthur Pace.

Hauenstein said she thought it “was a very professional letter that speaks for itself. We are supporting three people whom we think will be outstanding board members. We only sent the letter to voters we know -- people on our e-mail lists who we know vote in school board elections and are interested in the school board election.”

Pace said he supports the three hopefuls because, “I don’t remember ever having the kind of trouble on the board that we’ve had recently. I have nothing against the people who are running but the objective they had, I thought were not what this district wanted. They did not properly address the needs of the district, students, parents and faculty.

“It’s very important, with the problems of growth, achievement and diversity in our district, that we have strong and understanding persons who are willing to listen and work as a team for the best interest of the entire district,” Pace said.

Knox, who has always been involved in political campaigns for certain trustees, said it is the “first time I’ve been part of a letter and I did it because I’m leaving the board and I want the best for the school district. I want a board that works and works together.

“I think it’s really important for people to not be asleep during the time of an election and remember clearly some of the board’s recent history. I am very committed to bringing in the best people possible. I want people to get out there and vote and elect the best candidates they can,” said Knox who in past trustee elections has worked for Hauenstein, Clarke, Pace, Sonal Bhuchar, Bob Broxson and David Reitz.