Robbie McDonough (Texas)
From Ballotpedia
Robbie McDonough is running for election to the Houston Independent School District to represent District V in Texas. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source]
McDonough completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Robbie McDonough was born in Houston, Texas. McDonough's career experience includes working as an attorney. He earned a bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University in 2004 and a law degree from the South Texas College of Law in 2008. McDonough has been affiliated with St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, and with the State Bar of Texas.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: Houston Independent School District, Texas, elections (2025)
General election
The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.
General election for Houston Independent School District, District V
Maria Benzon and Robbie McDonough are running in the general election for Houston Independent School District, District V on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
 | Maria Benzon (Nonpartisan) | |
 | Robbie McDonough (Nonpartisan)  | |
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Endorsements
To view McDonough's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Robbie McDonough completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McDonough's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I’m running for HISD School Board because our students deserve an education as great as our city. As a parent of two HISD students, I know what’s at stake. The state takeover has silenced our community’s voice—I’ll fight to restore accountable local governance while working pragmatically with TEA to put students first. As a trial attorney and nonprofit leader, I’ve built consensus, solved complex problems, and stood up for everyday people. As trustee, I’ll focus on student success by giving schools the autonomy to innovate, supporting educators, and holding the district accountable. Excellence—not politics—belongs in our classrooms.
- Student success and equity must be the top priorities of a school board trustee. Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and we must celebrate progress while addressing challenges with targeted support. HISD is not one-size-fits-all—principals and teachers deserve the autonomy to make decisions for their students. By empowering educators, fostering accountability, and measuring outcomes, we can build a culture where every student has the opportunity to succeed.
- Effective school governance requires accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of resources to earn trust. Since the state takeover, HISD has lacked the openness our community deserves. Robbie will restore transparency by clearly communicating the board’s vision, setting measurable goals, and ensuring parents, educators, taxpayers, and community leaders have timely, accurate data. With integrity and openness, he will ensure public funds are used effectively and equitably to support student success across the district.
- HISD faces urgent challenges with teacher and student retention. Teachers are the cornerstone of student success, and stability is essential for consistent instruction and strong school culture. High turnover drains resources better spent on professional development and classroom support. Declining enrollment reflects families’ trust in their schools, and district leaders must take that seriously by improving curriculum—ensuring it is accurate, rigorous, and engaging. Every campus should be a welcoming place where students are eager to learn and parents are confident in their children’s education.
I am most passionate about public education. As a parent of two HISD students, I know our children’s future depends on strong public schools. I believe in restoring locally accountable governance while ensuring responsible, data-driven decisions that improve student success. Equity is central—every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter their background. That means empowering educators with flexibility, ensuring transparency in resources, and keeping politics out of classrooms. Strong schools don’t just change lives; they also strengthen Houston’s economy by preparing the next generation for college, careers, and civic leadership.
My grandfather. He was born a sharecropper who dropped out of school in the sixth grade when his father died and his older brothers went to war. He completed his GED at the young age of 55. Despite the cards he was dealt in life, he would go on to support the Apollo program as an electrician at McDonald Douglas. He was a man of great faith, and his sacrifices created opportunities for his children and grandchildren.
Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith - I read it in the fourth grade, and it was the first time I remember being enthralled by a book.
A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn - I read it in my Junior year of High School, and it opened my mind up to seeing history and circumstance from a variety of perspectives.
A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn - I read it in my Junior year of High School, and it opened my mind up to seeing history and circumstance from a variety of perspectives.
The primary job of a school board member is to serve as a steward of public education—setting policy, approving budgets, and ensuring that every decision is made in the best interest of students. That means listening to the community, holding the superintendent accountable, and supporting campus principals and educators so that schools are safe, effective, and equitable.
My constituents are, first and foremost, the students of Houston ISD, as well as their parents and families, our teachers and staff, and the taxpayers who support public education. I believe in listening to all voices—whether families have been here for generations or are newly arrived in Houston.
Houston ISD is one of the most diverse school districts in the country. Supporting that diversity means ensuring equity in funding, access to advanced coursework, strong bilingual programs, and culturally responsive teaching. I do not believe in one-size-fits-all methods or approaches because each school is unique with its own set of assets and challenges. HISD’s diversity of school offerings must be maintained so families can find the best fit for their students’ individual needs.
I will actively engage with neighborhood associations, faith leaders, nonprofit organizations, local businesses, higher education institutions, and advocacy groups that work on education, equity, and workforce development. Houston’s strength is its diversity, so I want to bring in voices from all corners of our city to help shape a stronger school district.
Good teaching is not one-size-fits-all. Every classroom, school, and community in HISD has unique needs, and we should empower teachers to adapt instruction accordingly. While the NES model is intended to raise standards, it limits creativity and flexibility in the classroom. I believe good teaching is measured by student growth, engagement, and the ability to connect learning to real life—not just test scores or scripted lessons. To support advanced teaching, we must give educators the professional trust, training, and resources they need to use diverse approaches such as project-based learning, technology integration, and culturally responsive instruction. The best teachers are innovators, and HISD should encourage—not restrict—that innovation.
We must advocate at the state level for fairer school finance formulas that don’t shortchange Houston ISD. At the local level, I would push for transparent budgeting, equitable resource allocation, and creative partnerships with businesses and nonprofits to enhance programs without replacing public funding. Accountability and efficiency are key to maintaining community trust.
Every child and educator deserves to feel safe in their learning environment. My approach is comprehensive: investing in mental health supports, training staff in de-escalation, improving building security where needed, and strengthening partnerships with community organizations. Safety must never come at the expense of students feeling welcome and respected.
I support increasing the number of school counselors, social workers, and mental health professionals across the district. I would also work to reduce student-to-counselor ratios, expand partnerships with community providers, and normalize conversations around mental health to reduce stigma. Faculty and staff also deserve access to wellness resources and time for self-care.
I believe HISD’s heavy-handed, one-size-fits-all approach—especially under the New Education System—has taken too much flexibility and decision-making away from teachers and principals. Policies that force scripted, error-prone curriculum or that disregard the unique needs of schools are not setting our students up for long-term success. I would advocate for policies that restore professional trust in educators, ensure curriculum materials are accurate and research-based, and give schools more autonomy to adapt instruction for their communities. In addition, I would push for stronger retention policies since high turnover is one of HISD’s most urgent problems. Finally, I would like to see policies that expand transparency in budgeting and decision-making so families, staff, and the community can more clearly see how resources are being used and hold the district accountable.
RetiredHISD Superintendent Kay Stripling; Former HISD Trustees Don McAdams (District V), Dianne Johnson (District V), Laurie Bricker (District VI), and Mike Lunceford (District V). Former PTO Presidents Cindy Donaldson, Naomi Doyle-Madrid, Judy Cheng, Heather Golden, Judy Long, Michelle Manning, Ashley McDonough, Sarah Schnure, and Amanda Sorena; Local Real Estate Leader Ed Wolff.
An ideal learning environment is safe, inclusive, and student-centered. It emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, while providing strong social-emotional support. Students should feel that their unique identities are respected and celebrated, and classrooms should be places where curiosity is encouraged.
I will hold regular listening sessions across the district, both in person and virtually, to meet parents where they are. I will also attend Board of Managers meetings to listen to the concerns of families in HISD. I’ll also push for more transparent communication from HISD—ensuring parents can easily access information in their home language, and that their feedback is truly considered in board decisions.
One of the biggest challenges in HISD right now isn’t just recruitment—it’s retention. Our teachers are leaving at higher rates than in neighboring districts, and that instability hurts students the most. To address this, we need competitive pay, better classroom support, and respect for educators’ professional judgment. Teachers should feel valued and heard, not overburdened with bureaucracy.
Right now, one of HISD’s biggest challenges is the quality of the curriculum itself. Too often, the materials provided to teachers are error-ridden, overly scripted, and not aligned with what students truly need to succeed. A low-quality, one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t serve our diverse district. We must invest in high-quality, research-based curriculum that is accurate, rigorous, and flexible enough for teachers to adapt to their students. Beyond fixing the basics, I want to see us expand career and technical education and partnerships with local community colleges and industries so students can graduate ready for good jobs or higher education. Our students deserve a curriculum that challenges them, respects their individuality, and prepares them for the real world.
Artificial intelligence has potential to be a helpful tool in HISD, but it should never replace the human connection that makes great teaching possible. Used responsibly, AI can support teachers by reducing paperwork, helping identify student learning gaps, and providing extra practice resources. But the district must set clear guardrails to ensure data privacy, prevent bias, and avoid one-size-fits-all shortcuts. The goal should always be to empower teachers—not replace them—and to give students the skills to thrive in a world where AI will be part of the economy they’re entering. Strong schools prepare students for the future, and that includes learning to use new technologies wisely and responsibly.
At our last School Board Meeting, I was moved by two different parents advocating for their children. The first was a father whose son was walking several miles in a dangerous area of town to catch the bus to school. The second was the mom of a young boy on the autism spectrum who was turned away by her local school because of her son’s special needs. Both had clearly tried to get their needs addressed through conventional channels. Both were clearly frustrated. And both took the time to come to the school board meeting to ensure they exhausted every possible avenue for meeting their child’s needs. While I was frustrated they had to go to such lengths to get a response, I was inspired by their courage and perseverance.
My kids. They make me so proud.
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See also
2025 Elections
External links
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Candidate Houston Independent School District, District V |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 1, 2025
