Nine candidates are vying for three seats on the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Board of Trustees in a heated, politically charged race fueled by more than $100,000 in campaign spending and significant support from conservative-aligned PACs.

The Cy-Fair ISD trustee who has been under recent criticism for race-related comments he made regarding Black teachers in the district has been released from the technology company where he worked, his former employer announced.

Cy-Fair ISD Trustee Scott Henry spoke publicly during Thursday night's board meeting after facing calls to resign.

Here are things to know for Thursday, Jan. 13:

A newly-elected Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District school board member has come under heavy scrutiny for making comments many felt were racist in nature. During a discussion about race and equity in the school district, Scott Henry made a comment about the district’s percentage of Black teachers and the statewide average, leaving many to feel like he was blaming low performance among students to Black teachers.