KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
January 24, 2025
By Natalie Cook Clark
James Cross, a retired Katy ISD educator and principal, has filed to run for Katy ISD School Board. He will run against current incumbent Victor Perez. The election is this May.
James Cross has filed to run for Katy ISD School Board Position 1. He is a retired Katy ISD educator, campus principal, and he and his wife are newly announced school namesakes.
Prioritizing Student Success
“We need to make the main thing, the main thing,” says James Cross. “We need to make our students successful for their next steps and that also means to make sure they feel inspired, challenged and making friends. We also need to focus on preparing our students to be good citizens.”
James Cross began his career in West Texas but has spent the last 22 years in Katy ISD, first as assistant principal and principal of Beck Jr High and then as principal of Cinco Ranch High School from 2009 until his retirement in 2022. Cross is a father of Katy ISD graduates and a grandfather of current district students.
The Cross family is routed strongly in the education community. His wife, daughter, son-in-law, brother, and sister-in-law are all educators.
The Cross family.
A Strong Understanding of our Schools and Education
Cross is currently involved in both the Southeast Texas Education Coalition and through his involvement he has learned a lot about education from a different perspective.
“It has put me in a spot where I’m really learning about this broader picture of schools and I think that through the school the school board I could serve in this way,” says Cross. “I love Katy ISD and love the idea of continuing to serve this community.”
James Cross has been an active participant in the Katy community as a KEYS Mentor, a charter member of the Katy ISD Education Foundation, and a member of Katy Area Retired Educators. James is actively involved in his church in Katy and served as a deacon at his church in West Texas.
Both James and his wife, Mitzi Cross were recently named the namesakes for elementary school #48 that will open in August 2025.
While this is an honor, Cross stresses that this is not about a name on a building, but the chance to spend time with these kids.
Cross is accustomed to success. Under his leadership, his schools excelled academically, athletically and in fine arts. As a champion for students and teachers, Cross has earned recognition as a state-level award-winning administrator. He was chosen as Texas PTA Secondary Principal of the Year in 2018, Agriculture Teachers Association Outstanding Principal Award recipient in 2019, and the Journalism Educators Association Principal of the Year in 2020, emphasizing the strong respect and connections he has with educators, parents and community.
Cross believes strongly that our public schools are so important and that we must protect them. To do this we must focus on those who care for the students.
“We must try to the best of our ability to teach, recruit, retain, and respect our teachers,” says Cross.
Cross also hopes to continue his work by ensuring that our Texas legislators understand how their laws impact student outcomes in the classroom.
“We do a great job of engaging our parents in our district, but we need to continue to reach single parents and working parents to help them feel involved in their student’s education,” says Cross who admits that if on the school board, he’ll spend a lot of time listening to the needs of parents, students, and teachers.
“As a school board member, my priority will be to listen, learn, and lead with integrity,” Cross says. “Together, we can continue to protect and improve on the well-known stellar reputation of Katy ISD and continue the legacy of being a destination district for families.”
The upcoming election is set for May 3, 2025, early voting begins April 21, 2025. For more information about James Cross, visit his website.
Not only is Cross dedicated to Katy schools, but his has a fun hidden talent.
“I have a knack for remembering when movies and songs came out…all the way back to the 1970’s,” says Cross. “My friends and family never want to play trivia with me!”
School board election filings are still open through February 15, 2025.
“Keeping the main thing, the main thing. What are we doing for our kids and the people who support the kids,” says Cross. “That should be the school boards main goal.”
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