Katy - Fulshear | April 2026

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Katy Fulshear Edition VOLUME 14, ISSUE 8 APRIL 18MAY 18, 2026

2026 Voter Guide

Greenlighting growth

SALT GRASS TRAIL WAY

KATY HOCKLEY CUT OFF RD.

The Green at Katy Park, a 46.27-acre mixed-use district by developer Read King set to be located at the northwest corner of Morton and Katy Hockley Cut O roads, is set to bring green space, retail and restaurants in a two-phased project. (Rendering courtesy Read King)

Ilitis accab in rem vende nosto tem si demqui ad maxim facipsu nducid mintur as molor sam et amTem fugia vendae apera volorpor sed evenis mi, sam sus, optatquos MORTONRD. KATY FORT BEND RD.

KATY HOCKLEY CUT OFF RD.

The Green at Katy Park to bring businesses and green space

with concerns of ooding, trac congestion and construction being the main factors. However, Read King ocials said they have taken steps to address residents’ concerns in the project’s future planning. “We spent a ton of time, money and eort to ensure that all this infrastructure would not have any negative impacts on the surrounding areas,” project developer Guillo Machado said.

BY COLE GEE

Katy City Council meeting in a 3-2 vote, changed the 46.27-acre residentially zoned area to a planned development district for the construction of The Green at Katy Park. Council members Chris Harris and Rory Robertson cast the dissenting votes. The move initially divided local Katy residents,

Following Katy ocials approving a rezoning request for a mixed-use district near the northwest corner of Morton and Katy Hockley Cut O roads, developer Read King is taking steps to address an array of resident concerns. The rezoning request, approved at the Oct. 28, 2024

CONTINUED ON 24

Also in this issue

Impacts: See what’s new at Katy’s renovated Popstroke location (Page 6)

Election: Find out who’s running for open positions in the May 2 election (Page 13)

Education: Hear from LCISD’s superintendent after his national award win (Page 21)

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION

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About Community Impact

Community Roots: Founded in 2005 by John and Jennifer Garrett, we remain a locally owned business today. Texas-Wide Reach: We deliver trusted news to 75+ communities across the Austin, Bryan-College Station, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metros.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Jovanna Aguilar Ella Barnes Sarah Brager Karley Cross Bradley Dountz Wesley Gardner Cole Gee Rachel Leland

Amy Martinez General Manager amymartinez@ communityimpact.com

Emily Lincke Roo Moody

Nichaela Shaheen Catherine White Kara Willis Ariel Worthy Graphic Designers Ellen Jackson Matt Mills

Jake Schlesinger Jesus Verastegui Ronald Winters Managing Editor James T. Norman Product Manager Martha Risinger Quality Desk Editor Sarah Hernandez Houston Market President Jason Culpepper

Aubrey Howell Editor ahowell@ communityimpact.com

Tracy Drewa Account Executive tdrewa@ communityimpact.com

16300 Northwest Freeway, Jersey Village, TX 77040 • 2814696181 Careers communityimpact.com/careers Press releases ktynews@communityimpact.com Advertising ktyads@communityimpact.com communityimpact.com/advertising

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KATY FULSHEAR EDITION

Impacts

• Opened Feb. 24 • 402 W. Grand Parkway, Ste. 108, Katy • www.turanuyghur.com

FREEMAN RD.

C L A Y RD .

3 Gyro Hut The New York-inspired restaurant oers Mediterranean cuisine including various rice, salad and fry platters as well as sandwiches. • Opened Feb. 27 • 3011 W. Grand Parkway N., Ste. 600, Katy • www.gyrohut.com 4 Mind Body Optimization The integrative mental health and wellness service provider aims to bridge the gap between mental health, physical performance and nutritional science across the Greater Houston area. • Opened March 2 • 413 Branchwood Lane, Brookshire • www.mindbodyo.com/brookshire-therapy 5 The Tutoring Center The center utilizes one-to-one instruction to create an incremental, personalized pathway to learning for kindergarten through 12th grade students. • Opened March 2 • 22225 Elyson Falls Drive, Ste. 600, Katy • www.tutoringcenter.com/center/elysontx 6 360 Grills The business oers various appliances including grills, replaces, pizza ovens, kitchen islands and accessories in several brands such as Kokomo, Napoleon, Blaze and Big Green Egg. • Opened March 7 • 22010 Highland Knolls Drive, Katy • www.360grills.com 7 La-ZBoy The home furniture retailer specializes in recliners, chairs, sofas and love seats. • Opened March 20 • 25406 Katy Freeway, Katy • www.la-z-boy.com

362

COLONIAL PKWY.

M OR TO N RA N C H RD .

GRAND CIR. BLVD.

99 TOLL

FRANZRD.

CANE ISLAND PKWY.

KATY FORT BEND RD.

1STST.

HIGHWAY BLVD.

KATYFWY.

PARK ROW BLVD.

PIN OAK RD.

K I N G

N D B

JORDAN CROSSING BLVD.

1463

HIGHLAND KNOLLS DR.

BRANCHWOOD LN.

GEORGE BUSH PARK

S N E R

1463

F R Y R D .

90A

MAP NOT TO SCALE

1093

• Opened Feb. 21 • 21676 FM 1093, Richmond • www.racketsocialclub.us/katy

Now open

1 Racket Social Club The indoor padel club oers climate-controlled courts as well as a pro shop, upscale snack bar and stretch- out area.

2 Turan Uyghur Kitchen The restaurant specializes in Central Asian, Uyghur cuisine with menu items including pearl noodles, kabobs and tugur dumplings.

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8 Hacienda Don Jose The authentic Tex-Mex eatery oers various menu options including carne del mar, enchiladas poblanos and sh cancun. • Opened March 26 • 4020 FM 1463, Fulshear • www.haciendadonjose.com/home-fulshear 9 Katy Prairie Welcome Center The welcome center is designed to serve as a gateway to the prairie by inviting guests to connect with the landscape and provide public information on the region’s ecological and conservation signicance. • Opened April 10 • 31975 Hebert Road, Waller • www.coastalprairieconservancy.org

• Opening late 2027 • 19615 Park Row Blvd., Houston • www.ohtpartners.com

Worth the trip

14 Saigon Hustle The restaurant oers Vietnamese cuisine including various salad, banh mi, rice bowls, vermicelli bowls and pho. • Opening this spring • 23703 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy • www.saigonhustle.com

In the news

15 Popstroke The business reopened after a full property renovation including the launch of BarTenders, a family-friendly restaurant. Other updates include a redesigned putting course, renovated golf shop and updated event space. • Reopened Feb. 4 • 23110 Grand Circle Blvd., Katy • www.popstroke.com/venues/houston-katy Samaria House by Her Well Center The new crisis housing and stabilization program was created to support women and their minor children who are leaving situations of domestic violence or sexual assault.

Taste of Gold The restaurant is a collaboration with Athlete Playmaker Group, a company that develops and operates restaurants and bars co-created with tier- one athletes in airport terminals across the U.S. The menu features salads, sandwiches, salads, desserts and appetizers inspired by Olympic gold medalist and Spring native Simone Biles. • Opened March 24 • 2800 N. Terminal Road, Houston • www.fly2houston.com/iah

Coming soon

10 Trung Nguyen ECoee The shop brings authentic Vietnamese Phin coee as well as ceremonial-grade matcha. • Opening April 18 • 23015 Colonial Pkwy., Ste. B201, Katy • www.tnecoffee.com 11 16 Handles The shop oers 16 rotating avors including classics like vanilla and chocolate as well as others such as salted butter or black matcha. • Opening in April or May • 4906 FM 1463, Building C, Ste. 400, Katy • www.16handles.com 12 Kalasphere Studios The studio will oer paint your own pottery, candle making, building mosaics and slime creation. • Opening in June • 29907 Jordan Crossing Blvd., Ste. 100, Katy • www.kalaspherestudios.com 13 OHT Partners community The unnamed apartment complex will see 396 units and community amenities including a 24/7 tness center, two pools with cabanas, a dog park and pickleball court.

• Opened March 25 • www.herwell.org

17 Paris Banh Mi The Vietnamese sandwich shop and bakery closed its doors in Katy with ocials citing “high rental costs and slow sales.” • Closed March 31

Katy Rotary Club The nonprot celebrated its 80th anniversary of serving the Katy community in March. • www.katyrotary.com

• 2004 S. Mason Road, Katy • www.parisbanhmikaty.com

Closings

18 Ziggi’s Coee The neighborhood drive-thru coee shop served handcrafted espresso drinks, lattes, cold brew, energy infusions, dirty sodas, teas and smoothies. • Closed in March • 1417 FM 1463, Katy • www.ziggiscoffee.com

16 Hooters The Florida-based franchise centers on wings with various sauce and rub options including mild, honey BBQ, lemon pepper and garlic parmesan. • Closed March 22 • 22575 Katy Freeway, Katy • www.hooters.com

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KATY FULSHEAR EDITION

67% of Fort Bend County residential properties didn’t protest their 2025 property taxes.

Last year in Fort Bend County, 67% of residential properties (209,210) didn’t protest their property taxes, meaning many homeowners may have paid more than necessary.¹

For those who did challenge their assessment, 87% won a reduction. ¹

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Government

BY AUBREY HOWELL

P A R K R O W B L V D .

Major Maintenance in Precinct 4

3 stories we’re following online

MASON CREEK

BAKER RD.

1 I-10/Park Row 2 Green Trails Oaks 3 Green Trails 4 Nottingham Country 5 Oak Park Trails

6 Cinco Ranch Greenway Village 7 Cornerstone Place 8 George Bush Park

1 Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend counties see population increases Despite counties nationwide seeing a slowing growth rate, the Greater Houston area is experiencing the opposite, per recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The data examines population changes from July 2024 to July 2025 with Harris County seeing 48,695, Montgomery County with 30,011 and Fort Bend County adding 24,163 residents. 2 Fort Bend Regional Partnership ex- pands economic development initiative The Fort Bend Regional Partnership has announced its expanded initiative in economic development as the county is expected to see its population nearly double in the next 20 to 25 years. 3 Harris County commissioners advance $90M clean energy initiative On March 19, Harris Commissioners Court authorized $88.3 million to fund projects for the Solar for All plan despite the Environmental Protection Agency’s attempted termination of grants associated with the program.

99 TOLL

HIGHLAND KNOLLS DR.

$10M Barker Reservoir watershed maintenance Harris County Flood Control District and Harris County Precinct 4 officials gathered March 24 to break ground on the $10 million Barker Reservoir Channel Rehabilitation and Restoration project. Project outcomes include: • Restoring 3.25 miles of upstream channels • Adding 1.1 miles of new storm pipe • Installing 30,000 tons of rock to repair erosion • Removing sediment buildup and blockages

GEORGE BUSH PARK

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The big picture The large-scale project—funded by the Harris County Flood Control District maintenance pro- gram—aims to restore channel conditions and flood control systems after the area saw flooding during Hurricane Harvey, officials said. Looking ahead Construction is expected to last up to five years, officials said.

City of Katy could implement golf cart regulations

Golf carts are not allowed on: Avenue D Hwy. 90 Morton Road

Kingsland Boulevard Katyland Drive Franz Road, east of Avenue D

The city of Katy is looking to add an ordinance to allow golf cart use within the city. The ordinance would allow golf cart and neigh- borhood electric vehicle use within city limits during daylight hours, which includes half an hour before sunrise and half an hour after sunset, according to agenda documents.

The details The ordinance states golf carts must be operated by licensed drivers who should follow all traffic regulations and cannot be used on sidewalks or trails, per agenda documents. Additionally, carts must display registration and license plates.

SOURCE: CITY OF KATY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Looking ahead The ordinance will be brought back to City Coun- cil for a vote at a later date, Mayor William “Dusty” Thiele said.

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KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION

Government

Daniel Wong named interim county judge following KP George suspension

Zooming in

The suspension remains valid through the completion of the civil case, which is scheduled for a jury trial Sept. 28, per court documents. In an April 10 statement, Wong said while his appointment was “certainly unexpected,” he looks forward to assuming the county judge role. Wong said he will start by meeting with every department and talk with county work- ers to find ways to move the county forward in a “positive direction.” “Now, we have the chance to move forward and show this county what real leadership looks like,” he said in the statement. “Rather than 2026 being a year of stalled initiatives, it can now be a year of focus, optimism and results under my leadership.”

April 10 by Judge Jeth Jones in the 400th Judicial District Court, is a part of a civil case that alleges George violated two residents’ First Amendment rights during Commissioners Court meetings last July and September, according to court documents.

Republican Daniel Wong has been named the interim county judge for Fort Bend County following the suspension of sitting judge KP George. The temporary suspension, which was ordered

KP George case timeline

July and September : Resident complaints about rights

May: Trial scheduled for misdemeanor charges

June: George announces reelection campaign as Republican

Sept. 26: George indicted on charges of misrepresenting his identity

Sept. 28: Civil trial begins

2018: George first elected as Fort Bend County judge

2018

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2022: George reelected as Fort Bend County judge

Sept. 17: Search warrant issued for George’s communication devices

April 4: George arrested on money laundering charges

March 20: George convicted on two counts of money laundering

April 10: George suspended

June 16: George sentencing

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY AUBREY HOWELL & NICHAELA SHAHEEN

Also of note

Looking ahead

Fort Bend County judge Republican primary

George was convicted March 20 on two third-degree felony money laundering charges— totaling $46,500—tied to campaign funds. The conviction comes after George received 8.43% of the Republican vote—the least of all candidates—in the March primaries. However, Wesley Wittig, Fort Bend County second assistant district attorney, said the suspension is not tied to the criminal case. During a March 26 meeting, Fort Bend County commissioners named Precinct 2 commissioner Grady Prestage as presiding officer “in antici- pation of the finalization of the conviction of the county judge." Prestage was set to step into the role if George was “suspended or removed ... and/or ineligibility to serve” based on his felony conviction. The original March 26 decision was intended as a temporary stopgap. The April 10 decision from Jones will supersede that. Wittig previously said George would not

Wong was sworn into the interim position April 13 following the execution of a $50,000 bond as required for elected officials and temporary appointees before assuming office. George’s term is set to expire following the November 2026 election, when Wong and the winner of the May 26 Democratic runoff between Dexter L. McCoy and Rachelle Carter will face off.

54.08%

Daniel Wong

12.73%

Daryl Aaron

12.51%

Kenneth Omoruyi

12.25%

Melissa M. Wilson

KP George

8.43%

SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT ALL RESULTS ARE UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CANVASSED.

Important election dates May 26 primary runoff election • April 27: Last day to register to vote • May 18-22: Early voting • May 26: Primary runoff election day November 3 uniform election • Oct. 5: Last day to register to vote • Oct. 19-30: Early voting • Nov. 3: Uniform Election Day

be removed from office immediately for the criminal case. Instead, he said removal language would be included in the judgment once the June 16 sentencing is complete. Additionally, if George appeals, that could pause the removal and allow the court to consider suspending him from office in con- nection with the criminal case while the appeal is pending.

KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION

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Election

BY AUBREY HOWELL

Voter Guide

2026

Dates to know

Where to vote

April 20: First day of early voting. Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) April 28: Last day of early voting May 2: Election day and the last day to receive ballot by mail (or by 5 p.m. May 4 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election)

City of Katy and Katy ISD voters can cast their ballots at any polling locations during early voting but must vote in election precincts on election day. Visit www.katyisd.org/board/election/home for polling locations. Fulshear voters can also can cast their ballots at any Fort Bend County polling locations during early voting or election day. Visit www.fortbendcountytx.gov.

Only candidates in contested elections are included. Go to county election websites for information on uncontested races.

Fulshear City Council, District 3 Omar Pena Dan Graham Fulshear City Council, District 5 Randy Connor E. Brown Otu Katy ISD KISD board of trustees, Position 3 Sean Hesterly

Katy City Council, Ward B Michael Anthony Payne Lyn Hunter Sullivan Michael Meihls Roger Lowry City of Fulshear Fulshear City Council, District 2

Haider Razvi Cicely Taylor KISD board of trustees, Position 4 Tiany Auzenne David Greene Jim Davidson KISD board of trustees, Position 5 Caleb Silverio Nathan Shipley Jesus Nieto

Sample ballot City of Katy Katy City Council, At-Large Paul Follis AJ Bailey Katy City Council, Ward A

Haim Schwartz Abhi Utturkar

Johnston Dietz J.R. Richardson

SOURCES: CITIES OF FULSHEAR AND KATY, KATY ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Election

BY AUBREY HOWELL

Fulshear voters will determine whether to increase the city’s general fund sales tax from 1% to 1.25% while reducing the city’s Economic Development Corp. A-Board sales tax from 0.5% to 0.25% during a May 2 special election. The proposition comes after a police pay subcommittee determined Fulshear’s wages were around the 55th percentile in pay compared to surrounding departments. If approved, the reallocated sales tax would be available for any “lawful municipal purpose,” including police services, economic development or other City Council priorities, per the city’s website. However, ocials specied this would be moving money to a dierent source and will not increase the 2% sales tax rate. Voters weigh tax reallocation

Why it matters

Fulshear sales tax split General fund: the city’s primary operating

Current Proposed

1% 1.25%

If approved, the change will take eect in scal year 2026-27, which begins in October. The subcommittee recommended a three-year plan to adjust police pay annually including ocers reaching the:

fund nancing general government services such as public safety, street maintenance and administrative activities EDC-A: funds industrial development projects such as business infrastructure and manufacturing as well as research and development EDC-B: can fund all projects eligible for EDC-A, as well as parks, museums, sports facilities and aordable housing

• 55th percentile in FY 2026-27 • 65th percentile in FY 2027-28 • 75th percentile in FY 2028-29

0.5%

0.25% 0.5%

The funding could help the city keep up with agencies including the Houston Police Department and Harris County who both approved increases to law enforcement pay last year, Community Impact reported. “We can’t do it all in one step, that’s a huge undertaking, but what we can do is we can take incremental progress in order to get there and show a path of how we’re going to get there,” council member Jason Knape previously said.

0.5%

Ballot language

“The reduction of the sales and use tax for the promotion and development of new and expanded business enterprises by a rate of ¼ of one percent; and the adoption of a local sales and use tax in the City of Fulshear at the rate of 1 and ¼ percent.”

SOURCE: CITY OF FULSHEARCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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BY AUBREY HOWELL

Fulshear City Council, District 2

Fulshear City Council, District 3

Fulshear City Council, District 5

Haim Schwartz Occupation & experience: national sales director, industrial automation, Schneider Electric Facebook: Haim Schwartz for Fulshear City Council District 2 candidate

Omar Pena Occupation & experience: chemical engineer; business owner; MBA Finance; M.S. Data Science; Fortune 500; nonprofit boards; youth coach. www.opforfulshear.com

Randy Connor Occupation & experience: business professional with leadership, budgeting and planning experience focused on responsible growth and community problem-solving www.connorforfulshearcouncil.com

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Fulshear?

Safety is always first in my opinion, and I will work to ensure our police department is well supported. As a secondary priority, I will also commit to asking, “How does this plan make the lives of residents better?”

My top priority is awareness, representation, and clarity in City Hall—clear communication, transparent decisions and real resident input before big votes. People should feel informed, respected, and confident that their concerns are being addressed, not overlooked or explained after the fact.

Manage growth responsibly while listening to our residents and local businesses. Strive to keep our tax rates low and spend taxpayers’ money wisely and efficiently.

Abhi Utturkar Occupation & experience: chief engineer - LNG Static Equipment, 25 years of research and industry experience, professional engineer. www.abhiforfulshear.com

Dan Graham Occupation & experience: former police officer, organic recycling sales leader, youth sports coach, community volunteer www.dangrahamforfulshear.com

E. Brown Otu Occupation & experience: Fulshear Economic Development Corporation board member, project manager, small business owner, community advocate, DJ, photographer www.brownotu4fulshear.com

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Fulshear?

My top priority is public safety, ensuring law enforcement and emergency services keep pace with our growing population. I also want to support infrastructure improvements, maintain parks and recreation, and preserve the connected neighborhoods and family-friendly environment that make Fulshear a desirable place to live for generations to come. What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Fulshear?

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Fulshear?

My top priority is ensuring Fulshear plans wisely as the city changes. Rapid development brings opportunities but also challenges for safety, infrastructure, quality of life. I support proactive planning and smarter zoning decisions so growth is balanced with the needs of residents, protecting the character and safety of our community.

Diversifying tax base is my top priority. It will allow funding to maintain levels of public safety even with population growth, improve water, wastewater, and street infrastructure. It will help reduce property tax burden on residents and keep utility fees low. It’s the golden bullet for most of Fulshear’s problems.

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Election

BY BRADLEY DOUNTZ & AUBREY HOWELL

Katy ISD board of trustees, Position 3

Sean Hesterly Occupation & experience: teacher 10 years www.seanforkaty.com

Haider Razvi Occupation & experience: EMS, US army, Make-A-Wish volunteer 832-605-0819

Cicely Taylor Occupation & experience: education administration, KEYS mentor, CAT Adams Junior High, Leadership Katy class of 2025-2026 www.cicelytaylor4katyisd.org

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Katy ISD? Bring dignity back to teaching and education. Reduce excessive workload to allow teachers to focus on instruction. Strengthen the backstop for teachers regarding student discipline and parental engagement, ensuring sta feel supported. Ensure paraprofessionals and non-teacher sta are included in professional development initiatives.

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Katy ISD? My top priority is academic excellence. Every student should graduate with strong literacy, math, and critical thinking skills that prepare them for college, careers, or military service.

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Katy ISD? My top priority is scal transparency that directs every dollar toward the classroom. As an experienced administrator, I will ensure tax dollars maximize teacher retention and student achievement. We must also expand CTE programs like those at Miller to eliminate waitlists and prepare students for high-demand, high- wage careers.

Katy ISD board of trustees, Position 4

Tiany Auzenne Occupation & experience: banker (bank ocer), senior vice president, 20+ years in governance, MBA, MIT strategic management certicate www.votetianyaa.com

David Greene Occupation & experience: managing partner at Trenton Hoyt; nonprot executive with experience in board governance and youth services www.davidgreene.net

Jim Davidson Occupation & experience: partner in global consulting rm; serving in operational and commercial leadership roles www.jimdavidsonforkaty.com

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Katy ISD? A pathway forward that strengthens KISD for everyone. I helped recommend an $806 million bond package with zero tax rate increase. I will work with administrators to ensure every dollar is used judiciously. Every student, teacher and family across all three counties deserves a voice and a champion.

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Katy ISD? Supporting and retaining excellent teachers. When educators feel heard and equipped, students succeed. I will push for consistent teacher engagement, budgets that prioritize classrooms, and clear governance that keeps the board focused on accountability, not micromanagement.

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Katy ISD? My top priority is to protect what has long made Katy ISD a destination for families—strong academics. Prioritizing academics begins with prioritizing our outstanding teachers. Every decision should promote student growth and achievement while supporting parents, strengthening mental-health and safety initiatives and stewarding taxpayer provided funding.

Katy ISD board of trustees, Position 5

Caleb Silverio Occupation & experience: Houston City College student; sales lead; Katy ISD graduate; community volunteer www.caleb4katyisd.com

Nathan Shipley Occupation & experience: analytics consultant; board of directors for Fort Bend MUD 151; parent of three KISD students www.shipleyforkatyisd.com

Jesus Nieto Occupation & experience: Nonprot leader www.nieto4katy.com

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Katy ISD? As a recent graduate, my top priority is ensuring each student receives a high-quality education that prepares them for success. This includes supporting strong academics, safe schools, responsible budgeting, and transparency with parents and taxpayers while keeping students at the center of every decision.

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Katy ISD? My top priority is ensuring Katy ISD remains a high- performing district by focusing on student success, supporting and retaining quality teachers, and maintaining strong scal responsibility. This includes advocating for sustainable funding, improving sta support, and making common-sense decisions that keep classrooms strong and free from unnecessary political distractions.

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Katy ISD? My top priority would be keeping the focus on what has always made Katy ISD a district of excellence: strong academics, high-quality educators, and real opportunities for every student to succeed.

KATY FULSHEAR EDITION

Election

Katy City Council, At-Large

Katy City Council, Ward A

Paul Follis Occupation & relevant experience: retired 34-year

AJ Bailey Occupation & relevant

Johnston Dietz Occupation & relevant experience: Title: operations manager. Experience: O&G executive, budget and capital management, long-term strategic development. www.dietz4katy.com

J.R. Richardson Occupation & relevant experience: senior channel partner manager with extensive leadership in telecom strategy and community-focused partnership programs

experience: MPA student; former White House intern; organizer; community outreach coordinator www.baileyforkaty.com

law enforcement professional, long time Katy resident, serve on several city boards 281-827-4481

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Katy?

My top priority if elected, will be to work collaboratively with council, city staff, and most importantly, the residents of Katy to improve the overall quality of life in the city. This would include working on public safety, aging infrastructure, responsible growth, resource management, while maintaining our historical pride.

My top priority is strengthening Katy’s infrastructure, especially water systems and flood preparedness. Residents depend on reliable services during both droughts and heavy storms. Planning, maintaining infrastructure and ensuring emergency readiness will help protect homes, businesses and public safety altogether.

My top priority is supporting our local small businesses and preserving the culture that built Katy. Entrepreneurs invested here long before Katy became what it is today, and we must remember that. We must also stay focused on critical needs like drainage and infrastructure to protect homes and growth.

My top priority is responsible growth— improving infrastructure, public safety and city services while protecting taxpayers. We must plan ahead so Katy grows smart, not fast and ensure Ward A residents see real results from their tax dollars.

BY TOMER RONEN

Katy City Council, Ward B

Michael Anthony Payne Occupation & relevant

Lyn Hunter Sullivan Occupation & relevant experience: entrepreneur; graphic design/ marketing;

Michael Meihls Occupation & relevant experience: business owner; HOA president (seven years); budget

Roger Lowry Occupation & relevant experience: Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire before press time.

experience: I.T. associate mgr. www.payneforwardb.weebly.com

management; infrastructure, flood mitigation, safety improvements www.michaelmeihls.com

community advocate/volunteer; multiple executive boards; 40-year Katy resident https://linktr.ee/lyn4katy

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Katy?

Establish pro-community/pro-small business sentiment and policies, and restore common sense within council chambers by ushering back in transparency, integrity and accountability.

My top priority is ensuring residents’ voices are heard and maintaining strong checks and balances between city boards and council decisions. Transparency in decision-making and thoughtful planning will protect our community values and maintain public confidence while preparing Katy for responsible growth and future needs.

My top priority is ensuring Katy grows intelligently. Infrastructure and city services must be planned alongside development from the start. Proactive planning minimizes resident disruption and prevents costly situations where projects are rebuilt because long-term needs weren’t considered during initial design.

Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire before press time.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY BRADLEY DOUNTZ

Lamar CISD’s Roosevelt Nivens reflects after winning National Superintendent of the Year award

Lamar CISD Superintendent Roosevelt Nivens was named the 2026 National Superintendent of the Year by AASA, The School Superintendents Association on Feb. 12, marking the first Texas nominee to win the award in 25 years. Nivens, who assumed his role in LCISD in 2021, previously served as superintendent for Community ISD in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He is also the president-elect for the Texas Association of School Administrators. Community Impact spoke with him about his recent award win, his goals as superintendent and plans for district growth. Answers have been edited for length and clarity. Congratulations on your huge win as National Superintendent of the Year, what does this award mean to you personally and to the district as a whole? Personally, it’s a tremendous honor because my parents spent a lot of time with us and teaching us to be good people, good young men, keep your faith in Jesus. I’m a momma’s boy, my momma’s in heaven—I wish she was here—but I know she sees it. It’s a legacy thing for my kids. I struggled in school, school was not a good experience for me growing up, but my own two children now see, they know that and they see this and they know if you put in the work and you pay it forward, treat people right, you do the things you’re supposed to do, it’ll pay out for you. Professionally, here, it simply means I have teachers and adults doing the best they can for kids because I wouldn’t be National Superintendent of the Year if we were a failing district.

What are some of your goals over the next year in your role? Lamar CISD can and will be the premiere school system in this nation. People that know me know if I wouldn’t believe it, I wouldn’t say it. I’m that guy. If I don’t believe it, I don’t say it because I don’t believe in just saying any old thing to people, but our kids deserve that. What are some of the district’s biggest challenges? If you’re looking at a challenge that is tangible—it’s growth. Managing the growth and people that are coming because people want an opportunity for their kids and so the challenge for me is making sure every parent that comes to our district that their child has an exceptional school experience—that’s hard to do when you have 49,000 kids and over 6,000 employees. As LCISD experiences hypergrowth, what steps do you think are most important for the district to take as it prepares for more housing to come? Plan and prepare for the future—it’s all about the conversation, it’s about being able to garner support and get everybody around the table that needs to be around the table. So, that’s not just the school system, it’s also county commissioners, elected officials, it’s mayors—it’s everybody. It’s parents, everybody that has something to do with this town and this school district, outside of the school system, needs to be at the table to help us prepare and plan for the future.

COURTESY LAMAR CISD

Tell me more about the Innovative School Day initiative—where did you get the idea from and why is this important for teachers and students alike? One was work-life balance for teachers. The other was helping students do something that’s innova- tive, something they normally would not do in a school setting. I was scrolling TikTok one day. My daughter and I have a weird sense of humor, we send each other funny TikToks of people in church signing off key, something like that. I scrolled on one, I found one, it was a young man who had just graduated college and the title of his post was “What’s the purpose of school?” In that, it was kind of spoken word and he said, “I can do the Pythagorean theorem, but I can’t do my own taxes” and man, that hit me like a ton of bricks. I was like, school, we’re supposed to help kids through life—we’re not just supposed to help you do the Pythagorean theorem. I haven’t used it yet since I graduated, but I have had to do my taxes.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY BRADLEY DOUNTZ, AUBREY HOWELL & HANNAH NORTON

Katy ISD among leading districts for savings accounts Katy ISD is one of the top districts across the state with over 5,000 students applying to receive funds for private education or homeschooling under Texas’ education savings account program, according to the state comptroller’s office. The state received a total of 274,183 applications following the March 31 deadline extension, officials said in an April 1 social media post. By the numbers Katy ISD saw 5,108 students who live in the district’s boundaries apply for the program following several other Greater Houston area districts includ- ing Houston, Fort Bend and Cy-Fair ISDs, data shows. About the program State lawmakers created the Texas Education Free- dom Accounts program in 2025, and accepted students will receive funding for the 2026-27 school year.

Texas education savings account applications by school district

1 Lamar CISD to raise meal prices Lamar Consolidated ISD officials said the district will need to increase the cost of meals—by 15 cents for breakfast and 25 cents for lunch—in the 2026-27 school year to comply with federal meal program regulations. 2 Katy ISD could face staffing reduction The potential net reduction could affect 106 positions in the 2026-27 school year as the district faces flat enrollment stemming from low birth rates, Chief Financial Officer Christopher J. Smith said. However, Chief Human Resources Officer Brian Schuss said all current staff members will remain employed next year with reductions from vacancies, attrition and excess. 3 Lamar CISD officials approve Innovative School Day vendors At a March 17 meeting, Lamar CISD board of trustees approved nine contract agreements for the district’s Innovative School Day program. Katy ISD and Lamar CISD news 3 stories we’re following online

Some of Texas’ largest public school districts were home to the highest numbers of applications to the state’s new education savings account program. Houston ISD

12, 267

Dallas ISD

8,617

Fort Bend ISD

8,429

Northside ISD

6,955

Cy-Fair ISD

5,858

North East ISD

5,414

Plano ISD

5,206

Katy ISD

5,108

SOURCE: TEXAS COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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