Ballotpedia, Richard Cantu

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Richard is from Houston. He holds an associate's degree from Houston Community College, a bachelor's degree in political science and government from the University of Houston, and a master's degree in public administration from the University of St. Thomas. He is a Catholic. 

Richard currently works as an Executive Director of the East Aldine Management District and Hawes Hill & Associates. He previously worked as the director of the Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office and as a manager of Youth Development Programs at Neighborhood Centers Inc.

Richard Cantu currently serves as a member of the Harris County Department of Education Board of Trustees Position 3. He was elected to this position in 2018 and is serving his first term. He is a former president of the Harris County Department of Education and a former director of the Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office. 

As of September 7, 2024, Richard Cantu’s website did not contain information on this issue.

School Curriculum

Candidate website

Aims to enhance city service efficiency by recognizing top-performing areas and making necessary improvements.

Believes drainage infrastructure and increased maintenance of the storm sewer system are essential to prevent flooding.

Supports investing in infrastructure improvements to create better streets and reduce flooding.

Wants to enhance infrastructure to improve streets and reduce flooding.

Believes street repairs should be done efficiently to avoid repeated fixes.

Believes street repairs should be done efficiently. 

Believes safe school corridors should be prioritized by police and youth service providers to prevent crime and youth delinquency.

Believes ensuring safety in school hallways should be prioritized by police and youth service providers to prevent crime and youth delinquency.

- Aims to enhance city service efficiency by recognizing top-performing areas and making necessary improvements.
- Believes drainage infrastructure and increased maintenance of the storm sewer system are essential to prevent flooding.
- Wants to enhance infrastructure to improve streets and reduce flooding.
- Believes street repairs should be done efficiently. 
- Believes ensuring safety in school hallways should be prioritized by police and youth service providers to prevent crime and youth delinquency.

School Facilities & Resources

Believes in expanding community policing by encouraging officers to regularly interact with youth in schools and community centers.

Want to expand community policing with a focus on youth and businesses.  

Supports utilizing community service workers who must pay restitution by cleaning up commercial corridors.

Plans to "Utilize community service workers who must pay restitution by cleaning up commercial corridors."

Supports child wellbeing by implementing neighborhood clean-ups in partnership with civic groups, schools, churches, and businesses.

Plans to implement neighborhood clean-ups by partnering with civic groups, schools, churches, and businesses.

Believes in using crime-fighting technology such as license plate readers and ShotSpotter in high-crime areas to assist patrol officers in solving crimes.

Wants to improve crime-fighting technology usage, such as license plate readers and ShotSpotter in high-crime areas, to help patrol officers solve crimes.

Believes city facilities and community resources should be better utilized to divert youth from crime and drugs, and provide opportunities for success.

Believes city facilities and community resources should be better utilized to divert youth from crime and drugs. 

Wants to improve neighborhood safety through partnerships and more communication between law enforcement and the community.

- Want to expand community policing with a focus on youth and businesses.  
- Plans to "Utilize community service workers who must pay restitution by cleaning up commercial corridors."
- Plans to implement neighborhood clean-ups by partnering with civic groups, schools, churches, and businesses.
- Wants to improve crime-fighting technology usage, such as license plate readers and ShotSpotter in high-crime areas, to help patrol officers solve crimes.
- Supports efforts to end gun violence.
- Believes city facilities and community resources should be better utilized to divert youth from crime and drugs. 
- Wants to improve neighborhood safety through partnerships and more communication between law enforcement and the community.

Student Wellbeing

Teachers

Supports youth development partnerships to ensure future success.

Supports youth development partnerships. 

- Advocates for investing in youth.
- Supports youth development partnerships. 

Access to Education

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Richard Cantu

Supports initiatives that promote child well-being.

Believes in prioritizing child wellbeing.

Supports policies that promote child wellbeing.

Believes in making a difference in neighborhoods and for youth to prevent families from suffering.

Believes enhancing public safety is crucial for child wellbeing.

As President of the Harris County Department of Education Board of Trustees, supported policies to improve educational access and resources for students and families in Harris County.

Believes in improving community access to education.

Believes in instilling community-based values and professionalism in the Harris County School Board.

- Supports youth development partnerships. 

Richard Cantu is a native Houstonian who grew up on Houston’s Northside. He graduated with honors from Jeff Davis High School (now Northside HS).

Richard Cantu is the Executive Director of the East Aldine Management District. He previously served as the Director of the Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office and held management and executive positions at the City of Houston and Baker-Ripley.

Richard Cantu has served on the Harris County Board of Education since 2019 and is currently the President of the Board of Trustees. He was appointed Director of the Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office in 2000, serving for six years. Cantu has managed several political campaigns, including Aldine ISD’s 2015 Bond Election.

Believes investing in infrastructure, including school facilities, is crucial for community and economic development.

Served as Executive Director of the East Aldine Management District.