What I Would Have Done for $210 Million
A couple of days ago, I read an article that stopped me cold.
It was about a longtime Westlake entrepreneur, Jeff Buch, who had an idea to restructure his existing contracts with EISD to bring $210 million to the district over the next 40 years (over $1.7M per year). A once-in-a-generation offer — no new taxes, no bonds, no VATREs — just a smart and creative solution with massive long-term benefit.
I picked up the phone and called Mr. Buch.
I didn’t know what to expect, but after we spoke my heart sank — not just as a candidate, but as a mom, a taxpayer, and someone who loves this district.
We had a chance to bring $210 million into Eanes ISD — a generational opportunity to aid in stabilizing our finances, easing the burden on taxpayers, and protecting the quality of education for decades. And we let it slip away.
Let me be very clear — this story isn’t about blame. It’s about what leadership should look like. And frankly, pursuing this idea to the fullest extent should have been common sense.
If I had been on the board, the moment I heard about this idea, I would have reached out that day. I would have taken Mr. Buch to coffee — not just once, but as many times as it took — to fully understand the opportunity. You can’t jump directly from idea to written proposal.
I would have said, “Let’s figure this out. Let’s get creative. Let’s collaborate. Let’s do what’s right for our kids and our community.”
I would have mapped out every possibility. Met with his investor team. Opened the door for our financial experts. Done the work to separate the dream from the deal.
And then?
I would have called him every single day until we had a path forward. I would have asked to meet his investors, his legal team — whoever needed to be at the table. Because when $210 million is on the line, you don’t let bureaucracy or miscommunication or egos get in the way.
You get it done.
That’s the difference in leadership. It’s not about titles or politics or hiding behind process. It’s about being proactive, being collaborative, and being unrelenting when the future of our district is at stake.
This is what my campaign is about — bringing common sense back to the board:
Being proactive, not passive.
Being a problem solver, not a bystander.
Collaborating with community members who care deeply about our district’s future.
Making better decisions with long-term thinking.
And most of all — making sure we never miss an opportunity like this again
As a parent, I felt the same frustration you did when I read that article. We don’t care about red tape. We don’t care about egos. We care about results — for our kids, for our teachers, for our district.
We are facing deficits. Rising taxes. Fee fatigue for families. And we had someone willing to help. But instead of being met with urgency and partnership, he was met with silence and inaction.
That’s not how I lead.
The question isn’t “why didn’t they take the deal?” — the question is why didn’t they even try?
This isn’t just about a missed opportunity — it’s about a mindset. The current board is stuck in reactive thinking. I’m running to change that.
My platform is built on:
Proactive leadership — not waiting for problems to explode before addressing them.
Collaboration — not stonewalling.
Financial stability — not repeated tax hikes and budget chaos.
Long-term thinking — not shortsighted decisions that leave us scrambling year after year.
This is why I’m running. Not to point fingers — but to offer a better way.
And if I have the honor to serve on this board, I will pick up the phone every time. Because that’s what this district deserves.
Let’s stop missing the moment. Let’s start making smarter decisions. Together, we can build a stronger, more stable future — and never let $210 million slip through our fingers again.
– Catherine Walker
Candidate for Eanes ISD School Board
Common Sense Change
