In the 2005 Election, Judy Snyder, the incumbent, was opposed by A. J. Durrani, Gregory Gibbs, and Stephen Wesolick.  Jackie Birkel ran unopposed, and Eric Duhon was opposed by Kari Crow.

These are the results:  Snyder 1221, Durrani 839, Gibbs 161, and Wesolick 442. 

                                     Birkel received 1893, Duhon 1439, Crow 900

After the election, this story appeared in the "This Week" section of the Houston Chronicle.  While Mr. Durrani was sincere in his beliefs that Ron Jetton was talking about HIM (and it indeed did sound like he was), Mr. Jetton was actually talking about ME!  I am the one that Mr. Jetton meant to dub as the "wrong" kind of person.  That would be because when I served on the Board, I provided plenty of oversight, and employees like Mr. Jetton were often the object of my concern and interest.  I just wanted Mr. Jetton and those like him to do what they were supposed to be doing and said so. The amusing thing about it was that none of these school district employees could say anything in public about "who" they were really targeting! But it wasn't Mr. Durrani. Thing is, if one isn't of another race or ethnicity, then the comment just becomes mean-spirited, and there's no law against that!

Ex-Katy ISD Board Candidate Accuses Employees of Prejudice

By Helen Eriksen

Chronicle Correspondent

June 21, 2005

Katy--An unsuccessful Katy school board candidate on Monday demanded the resignation of three re-elected board members, accusing them and district employees of racial prejudice.

In an open letter to the school board Monday night, A. J. Durrani expressed exasperation over pleas in a memo Ronald Jetton, executive director of secondary education at Katy ISD, sent to district employees, encouraging them to vote only for incumbent candidates in the May 7 election.

Jetton's memo, sent on a district computer and also the subject of an investigation by the Fort Bend District Attorney's office, discouraged change in the makeup of the board, warning employees of the consequences  of electing what he called the "wrong" kind of person.

Durrani, who is Indian, took that to mean someone who is not part of the racial majority of this once small rural, homogenous community.

Durrani lost his bid for a trustee position to incumbent Judith Snyder in a 839-1221 vote.

Katy Independent School District Superintendent Leonard Merrell denied any wrongdoing.

Durrani also said the district administration fails to reflect the current demographic makeup of Katy.

Merrell defended the district's hiring practices of administrators.

Jeff Cook, the Texas Ranger investigating the case, anticipates completing the investigation this week and turning his findings over to Fort Bend District Attorney John Healey.

Here is a photo of Mr. Durrani and someone with whom he wanted to be photographed:

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(Photo discovered by Susan Patrick)