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KATY NORTH EDITION
VOLUME 11, ISSUE 12 AUG. 26 SEPT. 23, 2023
Swelling capacities
Third Texas drive-thru Shake Shack opens in Katy
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Based on enrollment projections by demographic rm Population and Survey Analysts, 12 campuses in the northwest quadrant of Katy ISD will be at or over capacity in 2031 32 . Campuses in the northwest quadrant, including Stockdick Junior High School and the pictured Paetow High School , utilize portable buildings to accommodate capacity challenges. Katy ISD’s upcoming bond would in part alleviate overcrowding with new schools and renovations.
Oktoberfest and 9 other events to attend in Katy EDUCATION EDITION 2023 SPONSORED BY • Next Level Urgent Care School districts await budget help from state
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JAMAAL ELLIS, J.VINCE PHOTOGRAPHY COMMUNITY IMPACT
Katy ISD calls $840.64M bond to tackle student population growth Katy ISD will ask voters to approve an $840.64 million bond this November—the largest of its bond programs—to counter capacity chal- lenges as enrollment surges across the district. proposition—Proposition A at $722.99 million—aims to address overcrowd- ing across Katy ISD through new schools and renovations. of 14 campuses in the northwest quadrant of the district—where population growth is most signi - cant—are currently at or near capac- ity, according to district documents. PASA Chief Data Analyst Kris Poole said even the opening of two new secondary schools in northwest KISD in August 2024 along with proposed attendance boundary modi cations CONTINUED ON 22 BY ASIA ARMOUR At a July 31 meeting, KISD’s board of trustees voted to call a bond elec- tion featuring four propositions for voters to consider. The largest bond Data from demographic rm Population and Survey Analysts data projects KISD will grow 6.2% from 95,104 students in 2023-24 to 101,000 students by the 2027- 28 school year, district o cials said in an emailed statement. Ten
Education
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KATY NORTH EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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THIS ISSUE
ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH
FROM DANIEL: This issue is the Education Edition, which comes just in time for the start of the 2023-24 school year. Reporter Asia Armour and our Education Reporters put together several news reports and features focused on public education, with our front- page story being a deep dive into Katy ISD's upcoming bond that was recently called for ballots this November. The Education Edition section starting on Page 13 begins with a breakdown of KISD’s enrollment, staff and administrative salary information and more. An explanation of the latest changes to the Texas Education Agency's school accountability system can be found on Page 15. Some of these stories were published first online at communityimpact.com, where you can also subscribe to our daily newsletters. If you want to stay informed about your area, the Morning Impact hits your inbox every weekday at 6 a.m. sharp! Daniel Weeks, EDITOR
MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Amy Martinez EDITOR Daniel Weeks REPORTER Asia Armour
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Call 1-888-884-4174 for your FREE brochure. NOW OPEN See the NEW homes at Eagle’s Trace
Conceptual Rendering
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KATY NORTH EDITION • AUGUST 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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Half Baked Goodness
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designer clothing, shoes and accesso- ries—opened in Katy on June 1. The store is located at 814 Katy Fort Bend Road, Ste. 250, and offers either cash or store credit for clothing in sizes 0-26 and maternity, as well as shoes, handbags and other accessories, according to its website. Clothes Mentor also provides a free personal shopper service with the completion of a style quiz. Personal shoppers will pick several outfits for customers to try on based on their selec- tions. An online shopping experience will soon be available also, said store officials. 281-729-1300. http://katytx.clothesmentor.com 5 The Smoking Crab & Seafood Co. parked a new food truck at 729 FM 359, Richmond, on Aug. 2 in service to sur- rounding Fort Bend County communities, such as Katy and Fulshear. The mobile restaurant features Southern-style seafood platters, such as crab legs and shrimp paired with corn, sausage, butter and seasonings. The menu also includes boiled crawfish, pastas and fried fish combos. 346-658-9327. www.facebook. com/TheSmokingCrabSeafood 6 Brunch eatery Another Broken Egg Cafe opened a new location Aug. 14 at 20950 Katy Freeway, Katy, accord- ing to an email from a public relations representative. The restaurant offers Southern-inspired menu items, and its brunch specialties include hash brown Benedict, a Mardi Gras omelette and cinnamon roll French toast. Guests can also enjoy handcrafted cocktails, spiked coffees, mimosas and bloody marys at a full bar. In addition, the restaurant has gluten-friendly, vegetar- ian and kids selections. 281-717-4065.
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NOW OPEN 1 Martial arts school Be Like Water BJJ MMA opened in Fulshear at 8030 FM 359, Ste. E, in mid-July. The studio offers a multitude of training programs for all skill and age ranges—including boxing, Brazilian jiujitsu, high-intensity interval training, mixed martial arts, muay thai and self defense. The fitness school has four instructors leading classes in wrestling, Brazilian jiujitsu and mixed martial arts. 832-461-7399. www.belikewaterbjjmma.com
2 Benny’s Pizzaria , a restaurant origi- nating in Beaumont, opened a new spot in Katy on July 4. The pizzeria—whose namesake is the owner’s French bulldog, Benny—is located at 23255 Kingsland Blvd., Ste. A, Katy, where Philly chees- esteak restaurant Pappa Geno’s used to be. Its menu features pizzas by the large slice or 16- and 18-inch pies. Diners can also order items such as lemon pep- per wings, Caesar salad, brisket pasta and cherry cheesecake. 832-437-2643. www.facebook.com/bennyspizza409 3 Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
hosted a grand opening event in Cinco Ranch on Aug. 10 at 23660 Westheimer Parkway, Unit 660B, Katy. The dessert shop offers vegan sorbets, sherbets, ices, and fat-free or no-sugar-added ice cream in addition to the traditional frozen treat. The Cinco Ranch location will feature unique and local-themed flavors, including: black cherry, buckeye, coffee chocolate chip, Graham Central Station and Oree-Dough. 281-665-7954. www.handelsicecream.com 4 Clothes Mentor —a resale clothing store for gently used name-brand and
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
COMPILED BY ASIA ARMOUR & DANIEL WEEKS
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Body20
Chuck E. Cheese
COURTESY BODY20
COURTESY CHUCK E. CHEESE
www.anotherbrokenegg.com 7 Half Baked Goodness , a gourmet cookie company, opened a bakery at 2004 S. Mason Road, Ste. D2, Katy on Aug. 5. The business offers paleo and keto friendly, gluten free, nondairy and grain free cookies as well as the tradi- tional and more creative creations—such as an Oreo enclosed within a choco- late chip cookie and espresso-infused cookies drizzled with caramel. The company ships, caters and does pick up of its comfort treats. 346-495-9121. www.halfbakedgoodness.com 8 The Gentry, a men’s salon and upscale barbershop, opened its third location at 27131 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Ste. 700, Katy, in June. The shop offers haircuts with luxury add-ons—including tension-relief head and scalp massag- es; hot or cold towel wraps; arm and hand hot stone massages with paraffin wax; and exfoliating face masks. Staff are also available for style consulta- tions based on the customer’s desired aesthetic. Massage chairs, father-and- son packages, cocktails, memberships and retail hair products are some of the other amenities at The Gentry in Katy. The business has two other locations in Houston’s Memorial and Heights neighborhoods. 832-437-9055. www.thegentry.com COMING SOON 9 Golf lessons taught by Professional Golf Association pros, a golf simulator with advanced tech, food and a full bar are all on par at the incoming X-Golf entertainment venue in Katy. The indoor
golf simulator is set to open Nov. 3 at 3329 W. Grand Parkway N., Ste. 100, Katy. The venue boasts world-renowned courses for all ages and skill levels, club fittings and trade-ins as well as state-of- the-art technology for its simulations. www.playxgolf.com 10 Body20 —a personalized, technolo- gy-based fitness program that incorpo- rates electro-muscle stimulation while you workout—is opening a gym in Katy at 1420 W. Grand Parkway S., Ste. 300, this October. Body20 uses wearable vests and equipment to evaluate body compo- sition metrics—such as percent body fat, muscle mass and basal metabolic rate. This helps identify which areas to target for the most effective, fat-burning and strength-building workout. www.body20.com/katy ANNIVERSARIES 11 Katy Heritage Park will have been established for two decades on July 29. Katy’s Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the 20-year anniversary that morning with a family scavenger hunt and a tour of the historic homes around the park. There were pioneer games on the lawn for both kids and adults, free cook- ies, and refreshments. Katy Heritage Park is located at 5990 George Bush Drive, Katy, and boasts five historic Katy struc- tures that have been standing for over 100 years, according to the Katy Heritage Soci- ety. The park grounds are open from dawn until dusk. www.katyheritagesociety.com
The new Katy-area Shake Shack marks the third location with a drive-thru in the state, with the second opening recently in Sugar Land.
SIERRA ROZEN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
FEATURED IMPACT NOW OPEN The New York-based iconic burger joint Shake Shack continued its expansion across the country in the opening of its rst Katy location July 26 at 19300 Katy Freeway. Drew Neillie, regional marketing manager for Shake Shack, said Houston had already been a “great market” for the restaurant, but the company had wanted to expand to the Katy area after recently opening its Sugar Land drive-thru location at 2515 N. Town Center Blvd. Neillie said the location was selected to be a drive-thru location because of its proximity to the busy Katy Freeway. She said having a drive thru will allow for greater accessibility for customers over other non-drive-thru locations, or “Core Shacks,” such as the one located in Montrose. “As you’re zooming by, you’ll say, ‘Oh, I RENOVATIONS 12 Chuck E. Cheese officials announced July 17 the company has invested $6.8 million to upgrade its 14 Houston-area locations, including the 2002 Gulfmont Drive, Katy venue. The remodeling project includes technology upgrades,
don’t even have to get out of my car in this Texas heat!’” she said. Shake Shack serves up a variety of burger options, including the classic ShackBurger, a veggie burger and a ‘Shroom Burger, which is a fried portobello mushroom lled with Muenster cheese. For dessert, several milkshake and custard options are on the menu. Vanilla, chocolate, Oreo, brownie and nondairy options are available. 346-521-2551 www.shakeshack.com
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new menu items and enhanced live shows featuring dance-along concerts and an interactive dance floor. Infrastructure development includes upgrading and expanding the location to accommodate increased capacity and additional games; free Wi-Fi, table charging and ordering; and large video walls. 281-644-4949. www.chuckecheese.com
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KATY NORTH EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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From Grand Parkway, exit FM 529 and travel west. Turn right at Elyson Blvd. and follow signs to Model Home Village.
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Homes at Elyson ® are built and sold by home builders (“Builders”) unaffiliated with NASH FM 529, LLC (“Owner”), Newland Real Estate Group LLC (“Newland”) or their related entities. Buyers should review the purchase agreement, public offering statement., and other offering materials provided by the seller prior to signing any contract to purchase a home. Details on the prospective development are provided for informational purposes only and there is no guarantee that the final development will match the developer’s vision. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. Copyright © 2023 NASH FM 529, LLC (“Owner”). All Rights Reserved. No reproductions, distribution, or unauthorized transmission of any portion is permitted without written permission of Fee Owner. (3/23)
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TO DO LIST
August & September events
COMPILED BY ASIA ARMOUR
SEPT. 02
PICK FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE FULSHEAR FARMERS MARKET
SEPT. 30
ATTEND KTX OKTOBERFEST TYPHOON TEXAS WATERPARK
If looking for food products grown or produced within a 200-mile radius of Fulshear, look no further than this farmers market. Seasonal vegetables, fruit, fresh seafood, artisan breads and various cuts of meat will be available for sale. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. 9035 Bois D’Arc Lane, Fulshear. 713-703-4129. http://fulshearfarmersmarket.com (Courtesy Fulshear Farmers Market)
This German festival with a Texas twist will feature keg tapping, bier stein hosting, a bratwurst eating competition and keg rolling races, among other activities. The best dressed could be crowned Mr. and Ms. Oktoberfest. 5-10 p.m. Free. 555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy. 281-973-4004. www.ktxoktoberfest.com (Courtesy Big Pineapple Productions)
Katy Mills Mall will host the annual safety festival event. (Courtesy Katy Area Safety Fest) FEATURED EVENT Learn safety preparedness The Katy Area Safety Fest, hosted by local emergency response agencies that serve the Greater Katy area, will hold an event Sept. 16. This family-focused festival connects community members with the men and women who work in these agencies, and teaches kids about their equipment and activities. The goal is to encourage safety preparedness and provide education and resources. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Katy Mills Mall (Burlington entrance), 5000 Katy Mills Circle 937-367-3417 www.katyareasafetyfest.org
AUGUST 26 ENJOY BREWS AND LIVE MUSIC More than 40 vendors, food trucks and music acts will merge at the Brew & Groove event at one of Katy’s centrally located breweries. The event will feature beer tastings from local breweries, live performances from local bands, food and a fun atmosphere for spending the day with friends. 3-8 p.m. Free. No Label Brewing Co., 5351 First St., Katy. 281-693-7545. www.nolabelbrew.com VENEZUELAN CULTURE International musicians and celebrities will be featured at the Viva Venezuela Fest to end the summer, including multi-Grammy award-winner Jose Alberto El Canario, Beet Acosta and Reggi El Autentico. Food vendors will be on-site. Noon-9 p.m. $25. Southwest Equestrian Center, 2501 S. Mason Road, Katy. www.click-eventstore. com/vivavenezuela-fest2023-katytx 03 TOUR A HISTORIC HOME The Katy Heritage Society invites visitors and residents to tour homes that SEPTEMBER 02 CELEBRATE
in Katy as well as shows in Pearland and West Avenue in Houston. 9-11 a.m. Free. LaCenterra, 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy. 832-409-7916. www.thecarculture.org 14 JOIN A GARDENING CLUB Beginner and expert community members with green thumbs will gather to share tips, see presentations, swap seeds and socialize with other gardeners at this monthly meetup. The Katy Garden Club also takes occasional eld trips for its members. 1-2 p.m. Free. Katy Branch Library, 5414 Franz Road, Katy. 281-391-3509. www.hcpl.bibliocommons.com 23 THROUGH 24 FALL INTO AUTUMN Support small businesses at this Fall Harvest market, where customers can nd apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, fall fashions and decor from local vendors. This event will feature vendor giveaways, a grand prize ra e drawing, face painting and hayrides to usher in the new season. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Marq-E Entertainment Center, 7620 Katy Tollway, Houston. www.texasshoppersmarket.com/ marquehouston
have been standing for over 100 years. These homes have period-appropriate decor to transport tourists back in time. The nonpro t group’s mission is to further the cultural development of the community by preserving the city’s historical landmarks. Noon-4 p.m. Free. Katy Heritage Society, 5990 George Bush Drive, Katy. 281-377-5710. www.katyheritagesociety.com 09 TRY HOLISTIC WELLNESS At this holistic wellness workshop, attendees will learn four pillars for restoring health and could win a 30-minute re exology session. Re exology, or zone therapy, is an alternative medical practice that applies pressure to certain points on the feet, ears and hands with the intention to relieve pain. 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Katy Branch Library, 5414 Franz Road, Katy. 281-391-3509. www.hcpl.bibliocommons.com 10 GO TO A CAR SHOW The bimonthly Car Culture Show returns to the Alamo Theater parking lot, where car enthusiasts can explore exotic and muscle cars while listening to music from DJs spinning live. The Car Culture group started these shows in Sugar Land and grew to include the Shifted shows
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Find more or submit Katy events at communityimpact.com/event-calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.
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KATY NORTH EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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TRANSPORTATION UPDATES County to establish Westpark Park & Ride for area workforce
COMPILED BY ASIA ARMOUR
ONGOING PROJECTS
IMPROVING PUBLIC TRANSIT
TEXAS HERITAGE PKWY.
The location for the new park and ride has been determined, but the specific details for the future route will be finalized after public input sessions.
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BELLAIRE BLVD.
A new park and ride is on the horizon for Fort Bend County resi- dents, with a potential route along Westpark Tollway from Richmond to the Energy Corridor Management District, per early survey results from the county’s Transportation At an Aug. 8 meeting, Commission- ers Court awarded a bid to SpawGlass construction firm for the develop- ment of a Westpark Park & Ride, located at 19820 FM 1093, Richmond. The station is meant to serve the area’s workforce and residents need- ing public transportation, officials with the county’s engineering office said in an emailed statement. The project is estimated to cost $6.6 million, and a timeline for the work has yet to be determined as the Transportation Department is still Department. In a nutshell
in the planning phase, according to county documents. The context Officials said as Fort Bend County continues to experience fast growth, especially in its northern area, the park and ride will provide more mobility options via public trans- portation. Though a route for the park and ride has not been finalized, county officials said the Energy Corridor is one area they are eyeing. Community Impact previously reported that 60,000 workers com- mute to the Energy Corridor daily from areas such as Katy, Memorial City, Bridgeland and Sugar Land. What’s next? The transportation department is actively seeking feedback from local stakeholders, advisory com- mittees and the public through
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Westpark Tollway extension design The Westpark Tollway, a major east- west thoroughfare in the southwest Katy area that leads into FM 1093, is being extended from FM 723 to the Texas Heritage Parkway by the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority. Designing the extension will cost $7 million, engineer Phillip Smith said. A project cost estimate and timeline have not been made yet. Timeline: design completes at end of summer Cost: $7 million for design Funding source : Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority
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engagement sessions to establish a definitive route. Fort Bend County held an in-per- son discussion on the park and ride’s development in the Energy Corridor on Aug. 8. The next public meeting will be held Aug. 22 at Cinco Ranch Public Library from 5 to 8 p.m.
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF AUG. 11. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT KTNNEWS@COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
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KATY NORTH EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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2023 EDUCATION EDITION COMMUNITY IMPACT IS PROUD TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS.
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ANNUAL COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE REAL ESTATE EDUCATION COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. VISIT
DISTRICT DATA
Data and information from local school districts
COMPILED BY DANIEL WEEKS
English learners Economically disadvantaged students STUDENT STATISTICS, 2022 23 43.4%
SOURCES: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, KATY ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
is a district in the Katy area based in both Harris and Fort Bend counties. The district is projecting to continue its rapid growth in its student population, seeing a growth of over 10,000 new students since the 2020-21 school year. KATY ISD
Special education students
23.47% 14.77%
Statewide
62%
23.02% 12.74%
STAFFING, SALARIES AND SUBSTITUTES, 2022 23
Average salary by position, 2022-23
Statewide
STUDENT ENROLLMENT
Superintendent $373,296
Percent change from 2020-21 12.98%
$165,700
Support sta
$77,324 $71,939
Administrative sta
$89,335 $92,683
*TOTAL IS THE FULL TIME EQUIVALENT AND MAY INCLUDE PART TIME POSITIONS. **RANGES VARY BASED ON EXPERIENCE AND OTHER FACTORS $100-$115 Substitute daily pay**
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24*
*PROJECTED
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KATY NORTH EDITION • AUGUST 2023
22400 GRAND CIRCLE BLVD. • KATY, TX 77449 HOME TO
uh.edu/katy 832-842-5289
uhv.edu/katy 281-396-3700
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
AT THE CAPITOL
2023 EDUCATION EDITION
Texas Legislature approves school safety bills, shelves school funding increases
BY HANNAH NORTON
From January to May, lawmakers battled about the best ways to fund public schools and provide raises for teachers. Sweeping school funding legislation died during the nal days of the 88th regular session, although lawmakers are expected to return this fall to continue the discussion.
Senate Bill 838 Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe
Senate Bill 10 Sen. Joan Hu man, R-Houston
Senate Bill 763 Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston School districts can hire or allow
BILLS THAT DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT Senate Bill 9 Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe The bill would have improved teacher retention by providing bonuses, creating a teacher residency program and helping schools rehire retired teachers.
Retired teachers age 75 and older will receive a one-time $7,500 check, and retirees ages 70-74 will get a $2,400 check. Teachers who retired before 2001 will get a 6% cost-of-living adjustment, and those who retired between 2001-13 will get 4%. Status: Becomes law Sept. 1; cost-of- living adjustment takes e ect Jan. 1 if approved by voters in November
By the 2025-26 school year, all public and charter school classrooms must have silent panic alert devices. The electronic devices, which can be activated manually or through an app, are used to immediately alert district o cials and law enforcement of an active shooter or other issue, such as a medical emergency. Status: Became law May 5
volunteer chaplains to perform the duties of school counselors. They can provide mental and behavioral health services, and other support to K-12 students. Unlike traditional counselors, chaplains are not required to hold a State Board of Educator Certi cation. Status: Becomes law Sept. 1 House Bill 900 Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco Schools will not be allowed to purchase or display books deemed “sexually explicit” or “educationally unsuitable.” The bill establishes a new rating system for books and other educational materials. Book vendors must rate all their content, and libraries will review their materials every odd-numbered year. Status: Becomes law Sept. 1
House Bill 100 Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian
House Bill 3 Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock
House Bill 1883 Rep. Salman Bhojani, D-Euless
The bill would have raised minimum salaries for public school employees, boosted funding schools receive from the state and increased money for certain programs. Lawmakers are expected to return to Austin for a third special legislative session in October. They will likely discuss teacher pay raises, school funding and school choice.
All public and open-enrollment charter schools must have at least one armed security o cer—such as a law enforcement o cer, school marshal or teacher licensed to carry a handgun—on campus during regular school hours. Each district will receive $15,000 per campus and $10 per student for school safety initiatives. Status: Becomes law Sept. 1
Schools must provide alternative assessment dates for any tests scheduled on religious holy days or periods of observance. This includes any holy days observed by religions whose places of worship are exempt from property taxes in Texas, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and more. Status: Became law June 18
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KATY NORTH EDITION • AUGUST 2023
INSIDE INFORMATION Revamping public school accountability BY HANNAH NORTON At the beginning of each school year, the Texas Education Agency rates public schools and districts based on student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps for at-risk students. Individual campuses and districts receive A-F scores, which are meant to hold schools accountable and inform Texans about student performance. Scores for the 2022-23 school year will be released Sept. 28, following months of revisions to the accountability system. The A-F accountability system was established during the 2017 legislative session, under House Bill 22. What is the A F system? Ratings are based on a variety of factors, including
2023 EDUCATION EDITION
What are the goals? What does the update mean?
Serving students on alternate paths O cials adjusted performance indicators to better account for students on alternative paths, such as those enrolled in dropout recovery schools. These schools help students who have dropped out of school get back on track and graduate. Dropout rates will no longer count against overall campus performance.
Boosting public transparency Ratings for campuses and districts are posted online annually, but more information will be publicly available this year. Texans will be able to access data on attendance and absenteeism, advanced learning programs, and more, Morath said. This is meant to give parents a greater overview of their districts’ e orts to improve student performance.
Improving evaluation of student growth To give more attention to students who are performing below their grade level, the TEA added a new indicator called “accelerated instruction.” This allows o cials to accurately measure the performance of students who switch the language they take tests in—such as Spanish to English— between years.
TEA Commissioner Mike Morath said the revised system provides a more holistic view of student performance, focuses more on students in need, and aligns the performance of schools and districts.
Revising college, career and military readiness indicators Over the next four years, the TEA will implement new workforce certication requirements. Morath said there will be a greater emphasis on hands-on experience, rather than just course completion. For example, a student who takes welding classes in high school will gain real-life experience in welding and receive an industry certication.
Aligning classroom instruction The TEA also redesigned the STAAR in 2023 “to better align with classroom instruction” following the passage of HB 3906 in 2019. The exams were administered almost exclusively online in 2023 and focused on writing, o cials said.
High school scores improve
How students perform on the annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness largely impacts the annual A-F ratings for public schools and districts. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tests were not administered in 2020. The exam was redesigned in 2023, so scores from this year cannot be directly compared to previous years.
Students who approached grade level, or passed
Increasing focus on at-risk students Previously, o cials evaluated the academic performance of each student group—including racial and ethnic groups, economically disadvantaged students, students taking special education classes and more. This year, indicators will focus on the performance of the two “lowest-performing,” or most at risk, groups.
Updating target scores
Enhancing district ratings Morath said each district was previously evaluated “as if it is a single K-12 campus.” This meant district ratings were based heavily on the performance of high school seniors, whose graduation and postsecondary readiness are measured. This September, the new ratings will be calculated with a weighted average for each campus, giving each school a balanced share in the overall score.
*NO DATA FOR 2020 **2023 TESTS WERE SCORED DIFFERENTLY, SO THEY ARE NOT DIRECTLY COMPARABLE TO PAST YEARS.
Performance indicators were updated to re ect where students and schools were after the COVID-19 outbreak, Morath said. For example, college, career and military readiness scores have improved by 38% across Texas since 2017. “This is an untold success story,” Morath said.
ALGEBRA I
80% 90% 100% 70% 0% BIOLOGY
70% 80% 90% 60% 0% ENGLISH I
70% 80% 90% 60% 0% ENGLISH II
80% 90% 100% 70% 0% U.S. HISTORY
80% 90% 100% 70% 0%
academic growth high school graduation rates how prepared students are for college, a career or the military the annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY COMMUNITY IMPACT
STAAR scores for high school students were released June 30 and grades 3-8 scores were made available Aug. 16.
On Sept. 28, A-F scores for schools and districts will be posted online at www.txschools.gov.
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HIGHER EDUCATION New ‘historic’ state law to reward community colleges for performance
2022 HIGHER EDUCATION FOCUS
REVERSING THE TREND Since 1980, the state’s contribution to Texas’ 50 community colleges has been steadily declining, causing the institutions to rely more on property taxes and tuition. O cials are hopeful a new law passed in the 88th Legislature this year will provide a path to more state funding to meet workforce needs. Revenue breakdown of Texas community colleges over time
BY JAMES T. NORMAN
Chancellor Stephen Head said. LSC has eight colleges in the North Houston area, according to its website. As part of the Texas Commission on Community College Finance tasked with helping bring the bill forward, Head said for a long time he’s told state o cials the old system was not sustainable. “Community college nancing has been an issue for more than a decade,” Head said. Along with not aligning everyone’s goals in a cohesive direction, the old formula often punished smaller colleges—a system Head described as creating “haves and have-nots.” For example, many rural areas are losing their population to larger metro areas, Head said. That makes it di cult for smaller colleges in those places to keep their operations going as enrollment drops. And sometimes, due to the state having a xed amount of funds
Houston-area community college leaders are describing a new state law that transforms how their colleges receive funding from Texas as “groundbreaking” and “historic.” House Bill 8 will invest $683 million into the state’s community colleges and incentivize them to help students earn more credits and certi cation in high-demand elds. The bill will also incentivize colleges to help students transfer to four-year universities and provide more funding to them for high schoolers who complete dual- credit courses through their institu- tion, higher education o cials said. It’s a shift away from the old model, which gives colleges money based on their enrollment and the number of hours they are in contact with students, o cials said. “This is the most groundbreaking legislation I’ve seen,” Alvin Commu- nity College President Robert Exley
State
Property taxes Tuition
100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0%
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Jobs requiring middle skills or certi cation in Gulf Coast region
Number of positions in 2020 Projected additional positions in 2030
47,000 9,000
Heavy-truck drivers Medical assistants Licensed practical & vocational nurses Heating, ventilating, air conditioning & refrigeration installers Preschool teachers
17,000
5,000
13,000
2,000
1,000 8,000 7,000 2,000
SOURCES: GULF COAST WORKFORCE BOARD, TEXAS 2036 COMMUNITY IMPACT
said. “It goes right to the heart of our mission.” The bill was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott earlier in June and received majority support, said Renzo Soto, policy adviser at Texas 2036, a nonpartisan public policy think tank. “I have not seen a signi cant education reform package not only pass, but also
every biennium, even when those colleges do have increases in enroll- ment, it’s still pro- portionately lower than the increases larger colleges see, resulting in lost revenue, Soto said. The new model Beyond just helping all commu- nity colleges in Texas nd sus- tainable revenue, the goal of the new law is to drive more students into high-demand jobs.
“I HAVE NOT SEEN A SIGNIFICANT EDUCATION REFORM PACKAGE NOT ONLY PASS, BUT ALSO MOVE THROUGH THE PROCESS, WITH THIS LEVEL OF UNIFIED SUPPORT.” RENZO SOTO, POLICY ADVISER AT TEXAS 2036
system to this degree are given years to implement, Zamora said. However, this new funding system will go into e ect in September—right at the start of the fall semester. As a result, colleges and the state are scrambling to set up their budgets, which go into e ect the same day, while an emergency rules session is ongoing for the bill to lay out its parameters, said Zamora, who is part of that committee. The emergency rules will be issued in July and approved in August, Soto said. Those rules will be in e ect for one year and will be followed up with a more permanent set. Those are expected to be more thorough and go through a more rigorous process that includes public hearings. Zamora said there is a bit of stress going into the new year, but it’s tempered by the expectation the new system will improve nancials and outcomes. The next year will also show what the rules could be. “The speed at which we’ve had to implement this has been challenging,” she said. “But I think everyone is cognizant that this is a great new direction.”
and vocational nurses. “The state is going to nd a way that noncredit education can be credit that stacks,” Soto said. “It’s all for the bene t of students.” Some of those jobs are high in demand, particularly in Houston, according to data from the Gulf Coast Workforce Board. Statewide, nurses and educators are needed as well. While community colleges in Houston and around the state are expecting funding to increase as a result of the law, many of those details still need to be worked out, Zamora said. However, thanks to a new in ux of money of $683 million paired with the bill, many colleges will receive a revenue boost for the 2023-24 school year to help deal with the transition, said Marshall Heins, chief nancial o cer and senior vice chancellor of nance and administration for Houston Community College. At ACC, the hope is the bill could add about $4 million per biennium to the college’s funds, Exley said. What comes next Typically, laws that overhaul a
move through the process, with this level of uni ed support,” Soto said. The goal is to help train Texas’ workforce to take high-demand jobs that require less than a bachelor’s degree but more than a high school diploma, Soto said. The old model HB 8 represents the rst time the funding model for community colleges in Texas has been signi cantly updated in 50 years, Lone Star College
For many colleges, such as San Jacinto College, the mission will remain intact, albeit more supported at the state level, Vice Chancellor for Fiscal A airs Teri Zamora said. The law also has a newly placed emphasis on noncredit paths, Soto said. Those are paths that require cer- ti cation but are not standardized in the same way other degree programs might be, such as for truck drivers, electricians, and licensed practical
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KATY NORTH EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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EDUCATION
2023 EDUCATION EDITION
BUDGET BINDS In ation in Texas has gone up by nearly 20% between April 2019-April 2023—the most recent data available. However, the per-student allotment, which sits at $6,160, has yet to be increased in that time, tightening school district budgets around the state.
School districts await budget help from special legislative session
Projected allotment with in ation
Allotment per student
BY JAMES T. NORMAN
$7,313
$7,500
Budget documents reviewed by Community Impact indicate some of those items a ected by in ation include: • Fuel for buses • Supplies for schools • Teacher pay • Property insurance • Food On the state side, many funding bills failed because of e orts to tie them to a private school voucher program as part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s goal to make private institutions more a ordable to families in Texas. The program lacked support from both sides, blocking many bills from passing that otherwise might have had the needed votes, Popinski said. Put into perspective While they wait for potential state action, school district o cials this summer are approving new budgets— some of which are still anticipating help from the state—and many are predicting shortfalls this year. Houston ISD, which is in the middle of a takeover from the state, approved a $2.2 billion budget June 22 with a $168.5 million shortfall, Community Impact previously reported. Katy ISD isn’t set to nalize its budget until Sept. 1, but already anticipates a $7.4 million de cit due to the 3% salary increase for teachers and sta approved by the school board at a July 24 meeting. The story rings much the same at Cy-Fair ISD—the state’s third-largest school district—which passed in June a $1.21 billion budget with a roughly $138.6 million shortfall. Many are also expecting shortfalls in the coming years too, according to sev- eral districts’ budgetary documents. “Let’s just hope and pray that Austin comes up with something that can help us out here,” Grapevine-Col- leyville ISD board member Tammy Nakamura said. “We don’t have anything at this point.” What they’re saying In recent months, school district o cials from across the state have not been shy about sharing their feelings on the state’s role in this year’s
School districts across Texas are facing budgetary issues and are waiting to see if help might be coming as the state gets closer to wrapping up this year’s legislative session. The state entered the 88th Legis- lature with nearly $33 billion in its reserves and a list of funding plans for public schooling. However, beyond a few small examples, larger funding bills have yet to materialize, said Bob Popinski, senior director of policy for Raise Your Hand Texas, a nonpro t education advocacy group. “It was a session out of balance,” Popinski said. “It was absolutely sur- prising. ... All the recommendations ended up failing.” The overview Multiple school districts across the state are either proposing or approv- ing budget shortfalls for the 2023-24 school year. This is due to a number of economic factors, such as in ation, which has driven up operating costs, as well as state and federal money tied to the COVID-19 pandemic drying up, Popinski said. On the other side of that issue is an ongoing national teacher shortage with budget issues making it more di cult to increase compensation and retain teachers. Nearly all proposals aimed at increasing school funding in the legislative session ended up on the cutting room oor, Popinski said. Among those included proposals to increase teacher pay and the per-student allotment funding given to school districts. The per-student allotment sits at $6,160 and has not been increased since House Bill 3 passed in 2019, Popinski said. The state would need to add roughly $1,000 this year to the allotment to match in ation that’s happened since the last increase. How we got here Due to high rates of in ation in recent years—totaling about 18.5% from April 2019-April 2023, according to the Texas comptroller’s o ce—school districts have had trouble keeping up with rising costs.
$6,969
$7,000
$6,437
$6,500
$6,160
$6,180
$6,000
$6,160*
$6,160
$6,160
$6,160
$6,160
$0
April 2019
April 2020
April 2021
April 2022
April 2023
WHAT OFFICIALS ARE SAYING School districts around the state are proposing shortfalls in their budgets this year and are pinning much of the blame on the lack of action from the state Legislature this session. NOTE: ALLOTMENT WITH INFLATION USED A CALCULATOR FROM THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. *THE $6,160 ALLOTMENT WENT INTO EFFECT IN SEPTEMBER AND WAS REFLECTED ON BUDGETS FOR THE 2019 20 SCHOOL YEAR. SOURCES: BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, RAISE YOUR HAND TEXAS COMMUNITY IMPACT
LEE MCLEOD, TOMBALL ISD BOARD PRESIDENT “[Our legislators] are betraying public ed, in my opinion. ... There are school districts that are absolutely broke. They have no money.”
“We’re funding education where it’s a race to the bottom ... and that’s not acceptable for this state.”
NANCY HUMPHREY, PLANO ISD BOARD PRESIDENT
“As everybody knows, the governor’s holding all of the money hostage just for vouchers. ... He’s not doing what’s best for the state of Texas or doing what’s best for public education.”
ERIC WRIGHT, HAYS ISD SUPERINTENDENT
budget-making process. Board Secretary Lynn Boswell at Austin ISD, which passed a $2.1 billion budget with a $52.25 million shortfall in June, said the state did not help in the district’s budget this year, prompt- ing o cials to make “painful choices that impact our students.” CFISD Superintendent Mark Henry said his district’s newest budget was the most di cult to prepare in his 32-year career. “It’s irresponsible and insidious what the state is doing to public education right now,” Henry said at the district’s June 20 meeting. Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Abbott, said in a July 6 emailed statement to Community Impact that more money will be available to districts when the state passes the school choice legislation, adding it’s an e ort to “empower parents.”
“Gov. Abbott has prioritized public education funding and support for our hardworking teachers throughout his time in o ce,” Mahaleris said in the statement. What happens next? Despite many school o cials’ comments throughout the state, there is still time for the state Legis- lature to pass something. The state is working through special sessions right now, which could include some school funding bills, Popinski said. In the meantime, with shortfalls and a growing need to increase teacher compensation, many districts will likely be dipping into their reserves to make ends meet, Popinski said. “School districts are in a pretty tough position going forward,” he said.
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KATY NORTH EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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