Has Catherine Walker Changed?
I know some people are asking: Has Catherine Walker changed? Has she flipped parties? The answer is no — I’m a Democrat. I believe in public education, opportunity, and the power of well-run institutions to improve lives. I also believe in accountability, facts, and forming my own opinions — even if it means asking uncomfortable questions. That’s not partisan. That’s responsible.
This time last year, I was quietly concerned about the direction of our district. I ran for school board because I wanted to be part of the solution. But over time, as I listened to teachers, families, and staff — and saw more data myself — it became clear that we’re not dealing with a one-off issue. We’re seeing a pattern. And that pattern calls for more than quiet concern. It calls for leadership.
So yes, this year I’ve gone from quiet concern to sounding the alarm. From raising concerns quietly to recognizing urgency by speaking directly and openly with the community about the facts — and the changes we need to make together. Telling the truth isn’t an attack. Real talk doesn’t mean I’ve traded in facts for a tin foil hat. It means I’m paying attention — and asking questions that matter. It makes me someone who cares deeply enough to look into the facts, think for herself, and speak plainly.
I want to be clear: I believe our current board members are well-meaning and care about this district. But we’re at a moment that requires more than good intentions. It requires proactive leadership — leadership that asks hard questions, explores every opportunity, and doesn’t wait until it's too late to act.
Take for example the recent KVUE story about a local entrepreneur who claimed he offered the district a revenue opportunity. Rather than taking the report at face value — or dismissing it as political noise — I picked up the phone and called him myself. What I learned was disappointing: the district had not pursued a real conversation. A potential funding stream was left on the table, unexplored. They said they "need it in writing".
And that’s not an isolated case. When Spanish Immersion parents pledged a $915,000 donation in a legally binding agreement to help our schools, the district declined. The response wasn’t based on legal or ethical barriers. It boiled down to: “We need the money in hand.”
But that’s not how opportunity works. You don’t start with 100% certainty — you build toward it through dialogue, diligence, and mutual trust. Instead, what we’ve seen is a pattern of missed chances, confusing messages, and a growing resistance to transparency.
And that matters — because when the community isn’t told why promising ideas are rejected, confidence erodes. The lack of clarity and urgency in these situations isn’t just frustrating — it’s harmful. Especially at a time when the district is facing:
A growing budget deficit
An enrollment decline, particularly among young families choosing alternatives
A drop in standardized test scores
I’m speaking more bluntly this year because the stakes are higher. Holding leadership accountable isn’t tearing things down — it’s how we protect what we’ve built and improve what’s broken.
Yes, my tone has shifted. Because silence isn’t a strategy. And hope without action isn’t leadership.
I’m proud to have support from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. That’s not a red flag — it’s a reminder that our schools should unite us, not divide us. I’m not running to represent a party. I’m running to represent students, teachers, and taxpayers who deserve better.
I’ll continue asking hard questions, checking facts, and doing the work — because that’s what real integrity looks like.
– Catherine Walker
Candidate for Eanes ISD School Board
Common Sense Change
