EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Katy ISD
QUOTE OF NOTE
4 new Katy ISD schools included in new bond proposal KATY ISD An $840.6 million bond package is being considered by the Katy ISD board of trustees for the upcoming November election. work at school and … continue work- ing at home,” Avendano said. “You BY ASIA ARMOUR BOND BREAKDOWN On Nov. 7 , Katy ISD residents could vote whether or not to pass a prospective bond. Proposition A $722.9 million for four
HIGHLIGHTS KATY ISD With 33 years of experience as an athletic administrator and varsity football coach, Lance Carter has been selected as Katy ISD’s new executive athletic director effective immediately as of May 1. Carter began his career with the district in February 2007 as the athletic coordinator and head football coach at Mayde Creek High School. In November 2014, he became assistant athletic director for Katy ISD, a leadership position alongside Executive Athletic Director Debbie Decker. This comes as Decker approaches retirement from the position at the close of the 2022-23 school year, per a May 1 news release from the district. In the release, Carter pledged to continue serving KISD coaches so they can support the more than 18,000 student- athletes throughout the district. Katy ISD board of trustees meets June 26 at 6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy. Meetings are livestreamed at www.katyisd.org. MEETINGS WE COVER “UNTIL WE GET RELENTLESS ABOUT ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM, WE WILL STILL SEE HUGE GAPS BY RACE AND BY CLASS.” MIKE MORATH, TEA COMMISSIONER NUMBER TO KNOW is the tentative dollar amount proposed for a Katy ISD November bond focusing on new schools, technology and more. $840.6 M
also want to have the kids getting familiar with the use of technology from [an] early age.” Avendano also said the bond package was designed to avoid a tax rate increase for property owners. Proposition A makes up the major- ity of the preliminary bond package cost with a total of $723 million. Proj- ects include the purchase of land and the construction of four new schools to address growth in the northwest quadrant of the district; campus expansions; equipment upgrades; renovations to 26 schools; and safety and security improvements. Board members officially have until August to call for a bond referendum in the November election.
The bond is split into four propo- sitions, and puts new schools, a 1:1 technology to student ratio, renova- tions to aging facilities and security improvements at the forefront of district priorities. Alejandro Avendano, chair of the Community Bond Advisory Committee, said each of the 56 projects brought forth by the district were passed by the committee. He highlighted the proposal to provide technology to each student from first grade on as a key project. “Each kid will have their own computer, and they can do more
new campuses, renovations to 26 schools, safety and security upgrades. Proposition B $83.6 million to provide devices for every student from first through 12th grade. Proposition C $4.2 million to replace the natatoriums at each high school Proposition D $29.9 million to repair and upgrade athletic facilities, such as Rhodes Stadium
SOURCE: KATY ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
TEA commissioner talks education priorities
BY ASIA ARMOUR
from kindergarten to third grade. Although some data shows a pattern between socioeconomic status and reading proficiency exists, “poverty is not destiny,” he said. Morath acknowledged Katy ISD as a local leader in executing these changes to curriculum, highlighting the district’s 2022-24 strategic design plan. “Katy is going through ... this process of the significant overhaul and evaluation of reading practices to align with the current science. This is not easy to do and not necessarily popular, ... but it is necessary,” Morath said. “Our kids will thrive when they are given leaders that meet their needs.”
KATY ISD Texas Education Commis- sioner Mike Morath visited Houston on April 14 to discuss the future of the state’s education system with Katy- area school districts and stakeholders. At the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce event, Morath provided a high-level overview of reading proficiency and overall student performance across the state’s public education system and spoke to the TEA’s key priorities. Morath spoke at length about establishing foundational skills for reading and math for Texas’ youngest learners—students
TEA PRIORITIES
TEA Commissioner Mike Morath identified four key priorities at a Katy Area Chamber event. • Recruiting, supporting and retaining teachers and principals • Eliminating educational gaps • Developing rigorous and relevant high school curriculums
• Improving the trajectory of low-performance schools.
SOURCE:MIKE MORATH/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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KATY SOUTH - FULSHEAR EDITION • MAY 2023
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