Denise Morrison

Denise Morrison is a member of the Klein Independent School District in Texas, representing Position 4. She assumed office on December 9, 2024. Her current term ends in 2027.

Morrison ran for election to the Klein Independent School District to represent Position 4 in Texas. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Morrison completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Denise Morrison was born in Sherman, Texas. She earned an associate degree from Central Texas College in 1982 and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston in 1989. Morrison also earned a graduate degree from the University of Phoenix in 2005. Her career experience includes working in business planning, budgeting and forecasting, and asset management. As of the 2021 election, Morrison was a director of finance and was affiliated with the organization Faithbridge.^[1]

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Klein Independent School District, Position 4

Denise Morrison defeated incumbent Dustin Creager and Benny Kinsey in the general election for Klein Independent School District, Position 4 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Denise Morrison (Nonpartisan)	44.2	33,484
	Submit photo	Dustin Creager (Nonpartisan)	40.9	30,987
		Benny Kinsey (Nonpartisan)	14.8	11,230

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 75,701
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Morrison in this election.

2021

General election

General election for Klein Independent School District, Position 4

The following candidates ran in the general election for Klein Independent School District, Position 4 on November 2, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Dustin Creager (Nonpartisan)	44.3	7,958
		Denise Morrison (Nonpartisan)	24.8	4,454
	Submit photo	Rhonda Foster (Nonpartisan)	15.2	2,732
		Michael Walsh (Nonpartisan)	7.6	1,373
	Submit photo	Dara Osborn (Nonpartisan)	5.0	899
	Submit photo	James Fluker (Nonpartisan)	3.0	538

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 17,954
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Denise Morrison completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Morrison's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a Christian woman, a wife to Gary Morrison for 40 years, a mother of two wonderful adult children, and a grandmother to 5. I have lived in the area now for nearly 30 years and love it here. I ran for the Klein ISD School Board in 2021 and that was quite an eye opening experience. Although I was not voted into the position then, I have continued to stay engaged in the happenings within Klein Schools and our School Board. It is because I see opportunities for improvement, that I am choosing to run for the School Board again this year. As a highly experienced Finance Manager, I will put my 24+ years of expertise to work for Klein families and taxpayers. Making Klein ISD financially healthy again which will have a direct impact on improving educational outcomes by providing more resources to support our teachers, students and schools.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Klein School Board Is Mismanaging Its Budget. As A Finance Manager, I'd Know.
With 24 years of experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets as a Finance Manager for companies like Exxon, Compaq and HP, it's safe to say I'm an expert when it comes to budgets. As a candidate for Klein School Board, I took a look at the Klein ISD budget and I need to tell you what I've found.
A $36 MILLION deficit. If you listen to the Board meeting on June 10, you will hear the Board Members acknowledge this and that a surplus in the general fund was used to cover this large shortfall. However, it begs the question, what about next year? And the year after that?
Although there are policies and procedures in place for Safety and Security, we continue to experience too many incidents. The 2023-2024 school year resulted in 5 teachers being charged with sexual misconduct, sexual assault and sex trafficking. UNACCEPTABLE! There has to be accountability for this failure. It will be necessary to start with HR procedures on hiring and then continue random background checks and drugs tests throughout the year.
3 out of 5 or our High Schools do not rate in the top 50% our of 18,000 high schools nationally. 20.7% of our graduates are NOT ready for college. This area and District has had significant change in the demographics and it is time to ensure those moving in get the same excellent education the students did just a few short years back!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Klein ISD has a significant 3 of economically challenged group of students. These students deserve the same education as those that are no disadvantaged. The conflict surrounding the State withholding funds relate to school vouchers needs to be resolved. But until it is, it is upon us to ensure we keep our budget balanced.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My grandmother! She was kind, truthful, religious, and always helping those less fortunate. I have followed her example as best I could and hope I make her proud.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The American President

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity - There should never be any question about your honesty and morals.
Be trustworthy - say what you will do and do what you say

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am honest and truthful. You always know where you stand with me. I am able to work with others and get things done. Our district is headed into hard times and it will take all of working together and being honest about what is needed to be done.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Policy and Governance

Hiring and Supervising the Superintendent

Taxing Authority

What legacy would you like to leave?

Love of our family and country. We live in the best place on this planet and lets not destroy it. Let's teach these children that they have every opportunity available to them and we will give them the resources to achieve it.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was in elementary school when man walked on the moon in 1969. I was almost 9 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Worked in a deli behind the counter. I had the job for a year. Second job with with a bookkeeping firm and fell in love with bookkeeping, payroll and accounting.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

Setting goals and vision for the district

Setting standard and performance of the district and the superintendent

Balancing the budget and ensure good stewardship of those funds.

What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?

I believe creativity of the teacher to keep the students engaged is key. For instance, Texas History can be done with recreating a model map of the battles to win it freedom from Mexico. Teach math problems where it might be used. Fractions are used in the technical trades all the time - so teach them knowing how they will use it. It can be measured by the success of the students, and how students respond to the teachers. I wans the teachers to be able to teach - the tests will take care of themselves if the students just learn the information.

What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?

Start with where the current spending is taking place. Possibly do a zero based budget exercise. Find where the current discretionary spending is and possibly redirect. Operating with a deficit requires us to find a way to live with what we have right now. Then look at other opportunities to properly fund the district. Although there are issues at the state level, it doesn't mean we can't get our budget in order and then work the funding as needed. The tax rate is one source, the state is one source, the federal government is another source. There are also other local sources to research.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

School safety refers to the prevention of and protection from hazards that may cause injury, illness, or harm to people or property within the school premises or during school-related activities. Klein ISD has done a good job in increasing safety of our schools. Now we have to work on ensuring those within the schools do not prop open doors or allow entry by tailgating etc.
School security refers to the prevention of and protection from threats that may cause violence, disruption, or damage to people or property within the school premises or during school-related activities. I do believe we have an HR problem. Last year we had too many teachers that had inappropriate actions with students with the most severe being sex trafficking. the HR policies are ones that will be revised and dealt with if I am elected.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Valoree Swanson

Vercie Lark
Pat Huff

Norma Jeter

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

It is time the parents felt heard. If elected I want the board to transform into one that wants to hear from the parents and let them assist with the budget creation, assist with discipline in the schools and help build a solid support for our teachers. Townhalls can be held, the school board meetings can be held in various parts of the district so more of those that can't make it to once side of the district gets to participate and felt heard. This district is 88 sq miles. Having the school board meeting always on the north side leaves out too many parents.

What are your preferred strategies for faculty, staff, and administration recruitment?

Employee Referrals

College Recruiting

College Assistance - with the teacher shortage, could recruit those not currently in school and assist with teaching education and certification with on-the-job training.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Full transparency is the name of the game. Being gas lighted is not acceptable. The buck stops at the School Board table! They are the one accountable for holding the Superintendent responsible for running the district.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2021

Denise Morrison completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Morrison's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a wife, mother, grandmother and retired from Corporate America. I am running for this position because I want to have an impact on the future of our children. After all they are our future. These past 18 months have been one of the biggest challenges for our county and especially for our schools. I believe our children have a right to a safe environment free from virus and violence. Our teachers deserve our support for one of the toughest jobs an individual can have. We all love our children and that should be our common rally to get them caught up after such a challenging few months.

Critical Race Theory is not taught in KISD and I support this decision. In the State of Texas it is illegal to be taught anyway. Sex education is taught with parental permission. This is necessary because children are engaging in sexual activity earlier and earlier and education is the only way to teach abstinence, safe sex and pregnancy prevention. I do believe that Personal Finance, how to care for a car and home, and some other life skills should be taught. I also believe that teaching some Social and Emotional skills need to be added to the curriculum. Coming from Corporate America, I was responsible for hiring young adults from college and they are coming to us with no ability to work on teams, no knowledge on how to set or achieve goals, and are unable to work with no supervision.

Let' help our children succeed!

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Safe Environment
Support our Teachers
Love our Children

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Critical Race Theory

Sex Education

Social and Emotional Learning

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My grandmother and mother were both single parents. They supported their children and grandchildren. Even as busy as they were just supporting their children, they were still involved in our schooling, and our Christian upbringing. My grandmother was an investor and made money on the stock market and told me the value of money, how to budget appropriately, and how to care for those that don't have much. My mother worked civil service. She taught me and my sisters to love all people and judge a person by their actions.

I am a Christian woman and work hard everyday to follow my teachings. We are all human beings and my goal is to treat each an everyone one of us as God's children.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty and very hard to find today

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Organization

Honesty

Budgeting

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Be true to what you promised your constituents

What legacy would you like to leave?

First and foremost that I am a Christian and hold true to my values

That I am a good wife, mother and grandmother

That people always knew where they stood with me and that I was always willing to help those in need

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. I was 7 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I work for the Cheese Chalet in Lampasas, Texas. I had this retail job for 1 year.

My first professional job with was Exxon Chemicals as a Financial Analyst.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Killing of Crazy Horse by Bill O'Reilly

knowing the history of how the white man treated the American Indian needs to be told truthfully and Bill O'Reilly does an excellent job

History should be told by all the various stories to get the rounded version instead of one-sided version

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Madea

This woman speak it like it is and enforces it when necessary

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Understanding the hate that is in this world

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

A School Board Trustee has the responsibility to assist in the hiring and support of the Superintendent. Another responsibility is to provide Governance, Develop Policy and Procedures for the District, and to be the face of the District to the Community. The Klein School District is a large district with over 53,000 students. Although many parents pay their school taxes, there are many residents that no longer have students attending schools but still pay tax. It is the responsibility of the Trustee to ensure they understand what they are paying for. As for the parents, the Trustee needs to partner with them so that our students are the very best they can be.

Who are your constituents?

The Taxpayers in the Klein School District made up of a population of over 253k residents.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

The Klein School District is very diverse. In order to meet that diversity, the faculty and staff need to represent the same ethnic background, ability to teach English as a second language, and teach on the student's level to ensure we are reaching them. In the Texas Tribune it states that in Klein ISD there is a risk of 45% of student dropping out. We must find a way to engage these students, get the parents involved, and keep them in school. Education is going to be the only way these children can succeed and the pandemic has made it more difficult on education. Our students are now behind and it is the responsibility of "the village" to get them caught up and pushing forward.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

I am ready and willing to meet with them! We have to all understand the challenges ahead and what a great school district can do for these students!
I am targeting the at home working parents that have had the great challenge of working and teaching these past months.

What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?

A teacher who cares and has the ability to reach the student that is falling behind. Although along time ago, when a student was clearly behind in my elementary class we were told to work on our assignments and the teacher would then work individually with that student in the back of the room. We need to provide a way to have more individual interaction to help these students. Supporting our teachers to do just that is where I would like to focus.

In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?

Personal Finance - need to show you can attend college and not have $100,000 of student loans when done or be in debt on credit cards

How to care for your own car
How to care for you home

Life Skills!

What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?

Be a good steward of the funds received through taxes. Balance the debt the district does have a with a solid payment of repayment.
State Funds are utilized for their intended purpose and not always counted to balance over all budget.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Klein has a great Police Department that helps with safety.

Volunteers to be in the schools is very helpful

Sanitary policies to ensure no virus

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

We need to quit making it easier for these children. Life is hard and making it easy for them to succeed in school is not helping.
Life can be so wonderful, and following in faith can get you through a lot. Teach these children how to cope with loss, defeat, and bad grades. Then teach them how to overcome and achieve.

What are your views on how to address schooling during pandemic times?

Having a solid "disaster" plan in place is vital. If a hurricane is coming, there is no need to cancel classes. Have a plan and work the plan - virtual learning is clearly available so use it until such time you can't.
During a pandemic many have views that are far apart from each other as possible. Make it easier in your plan for the parent to decide what is best. Wear a mask - don't wear a mask; attend school - do virtual schooling; etc Not everything requires a mandate; we can be responsible adults.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district? What plans do you have to be inclusive of parental involvement?

I would like to hold specific meetings as a Board just to hear from the parents. I know some attend the School Board meetings but as a Trustee during these meetings it is not allowed to respond. I also plan on attending school events, and visiting the students at the schools. I will also attend some of the PTO meetings where I can hear first hand some of the concerns.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Klein Independent School District, Position 4

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Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 24, 2021

[bio-1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 24, 2021

[1]

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Denise Morrison

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Klein Independent School District, Position 4

Endorsements

2021

General election

General election for Klein Independent School District, Position 4

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

2021

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

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Public Policy

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