Your full name: Louis Bertoli

Spouse’s name: Janet Bertoli

Child(ren) name(s) and age(s): Michael (19) and Gina (16)

Describe your occupation and company: Petroleum Geologist with Devon Energy

Subdivision: Deerfield Village

Years lived within district: 21

Why did you choose to live in CFISD?

My wife and I moved to Cypress-Fairbanks ISD for several reasons. Cy-Fair's excellent academic reputation qualified it as the first choice of a place in which to educate our children. As a taxpayer, the 20 percent homestead exemption that Cy-Fair maintains is important to me. It acts as a significant support for residential property values and reflects the District's ability to educate in a fiscally responsible manner.

Community organizations in which you participate:  

I have been involved in several CFISD district and campus committees, as well as local youth sports organizations, and our area Cub Scout pack and Boy Scout troop.

Describe your involvement in CFISD (i.e. PTO, district-level committees):  

I served on the Parent Advisory Committee at Wilson Elementary School and served on the district wide Alternative Calendar Committee.   I have been a member of the Board of Trustees since 1996 .

Why did you elect to run for a trustee position?   

Education is our community’s highest priority and all students in this community deserve learning opportunities that will help them be successful in life.   I am seeking reelection because I want to continue serving the district in meeting this goal.   CFISD will also face many challenges over the next few years.   Especially significant will be those challenges related to the overhaul of school funding and school financing that will come out of the current legislative session.  

Considering your skills and talents, what positive contribution would you make as a member of the Board of Trustees?  

I offer Cy-Fair ISD's parents, students, and staff the integrity and commitment to address the needs of this community in an equitable manner. I offer to serve this community with an emphasis upon the quality of education within CFISD by implementing policies that support and further educational success.

I recognize and support the importance of communication between parents and teachers and will work to preserve this communication. I recognize the exceptional teachers that we have in this District and the important role that they play in our children's education.

I offer a commitment to promote sound fiscal policy, and will continue to promote policies, like the Freeport Exemption, that lessen taxpayers’ burdens.

In your opinion, what are the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees?  

The Board of Trustees sets policy and direction for the district.   The Board works with the superintendent to reach the primary goal of promoting student success in a financially efficient manner. As board members we represent the entire community, a community that is committed to keeping education our highest priority.

If elected, what improvements do you believe are necessary in the district, and how would the Board bring about this change?  

One of CFISD’s strengths is that the district is proactive in recognizing and addressing future needs.   This practice results in continuous improvement in student achievement and a sound financial approach in utilizing district resources.   I will continue to be forward looking in my approach and will embrace improvements that promote excellence in education.  

In your opinion, what critical challenges face the district, and what is necessary to address those issues?  

CFISD currently faces several challenges.   First, is the tremendous growth in student population that stretches district resources. Cy-Fair is adding over 4,000 new students each year which requires many new schools.   The second is the condition of public school finance in the state of Texas.   We know that state funding of public education is going to change and will be very different from what we have had for the last decade, but the state legislature’s new plan hasn’t been determined yet.   CFISD continues to face a critical shortage of teachers and it is imperative that the district continue to address recruiting and retaining of highly qualified personnel as a priority.    

What challenges face the public education system of Texas?  

The public education system of Texas faces the same challenge that CFISD faces: improving student achievement at a time when the entire funding mechanism is being rewritten.   Cy-Fair’s success at providing students with a challenging education in a fiscally responsible manner is certainly one to be emulated.