Natalie Blasingame

Why did you choose to live in CFISD?
CFISD attracted our family because of the great housing values, good schools, safe neighborhoods, diverse neighbors, and family-oriented community. CFISD has held up to its promise- 24 years later we still love living and serving here! 

Are you currently a CFISD volunteer? If so, what school(s)? 
Yes. 

I volunteer as a CFISD school board trustee (2021-2025) serving 118,000 students at 96 campuses- we monitor district programs to ensure that ALL schools/programs are of the highest quality and meet the needs of our families and the community.

I am a Global Volunteer supporting the Hairgrove Elementary Adopt-a-School partnership with Calvary Community Church and Copperfield Church for over 9 years (2016-2025). The team provides amazing supports helping make Hairgrove an “A” rated campus.

Have you been a CFISD volunteer in the past (include years)?
I loved being a “VIPS” at Aragon Middle School (2016-2019) where volunteering included chairing the Color Run, bulletin boards, teacher appreciation, Wildcat Den, Veterans Day, band, and more fun! Aragon is a great school with a student-centered staff that I was privileged to support.

I served as a Mentor at Langham Creek High School (2018-2020)- investing in the life of a wonderful young lady. This was so rewarding- please consider being a mentor in CFISD

List your participation in CFISD school and/or district parent clubs, business partnerships and/or committees.
I served as a parent representative for the Langham Creek feeder pattern on the District-Wide Educational Improvement Council (DEIC) (2018-2020) - a formal committee that advises the district on evaluation, planning, and supervision.

I head the board's "Ad-Hoc Teacher Recruitment and Retention Committee" (2023-2025) where we brainstorm the best ways to attract and retain our most valuable assets- our amazing teachers! We want to be the best place to work and learn. 

Include any other areas in which you have supported CFISD not included in previous question.
I participate in events like those held by the wonderful Cy-Fair Educational Foundation (CFEF) that diligently raises funds for higher education scholarships to help our amazing CFISD graduates afford college. I support student fundraisers, including bidding on FFA projects and helping teams and programs meet their fundraising goals. I have also helped students find internships to support their educational and workforce goals. I am an ambassador for our amazing district in meetings and events throughout the state and country. 

List local organizations in which you currently participate, including offices held.
CFISD School Board- Vice President 
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Northwest- Board Member 

Considering your skills and talents, what positive contribution would you make as a member of the Board of Trustees?
I have successful experience as an educator and trustee building academic excellence for students. Our district has significant latitude in shaping the educational programs of our schools. With 60% of our families facing economic challenges, CFISD must work harder to achieve an "A" rating. I offer 31 years of experience fostering strong educational outcomes in Title-I schools. This helps me as a trustee to ask the right critical questions about data, goalsetting, strategies, and budgets. 

What are the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees?
We provide citizen governance/oversight for education at a point closest to the parent/child, acting for our district citizens. We advocate for educational excellence, putting those interests first, ensuring that the district is moving in a positive direction, with a clear shared vision for our students, schools, staff and supporting community. We adopt comprehensive goals, giving the system clear direction, and monitor progress of the administration. We adopt policy that provides a framework for district operations. 

What role do positive trustee relations on the Board play in affecting student success?
Trustees should bring time, energy, talent and a spirit of teamwork to the role to make decisions that will help the children of our community. Trustees should actively seek and listen to the voices of our citizens-hearing celebrations and concerns- allowing trends to be surfaced. We should then respond as a team to expand the positive and address the negative. Cooperation is critical to success, with room for diversity of opinion and critical questioning. 

What are the most critical challenges facing the district, and what are possible solutions to address those issues? : 
CFISD must achieve academic and fiscal excellence by putting an emphasis on: reading for comprehension by 3rd grade; fiscal accountability and transparency; safe and disciplined classrooms; supporting teachers; and empowering parents. We must hold high expectations for ALL students and increase choice within our public school system to maintain enrollment and ensure that every graduate has a clear plan with requisite skills for success in college, career, or the military right out of high school. 

What do you hope your legacy will be as a member of the Board of Trustees?: 
My personal mission: “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” If students cannot read on level, then they are at risk in the school-to-prison pipeline. We must ensure that students who don’t meet expectations get interventions and are monitored until they read on level. That’s a worthy legacy. Literacy is a basic right. ­­­­­