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Katy Fulshear Edition VOLUME 13, ISSUE 12 AUG. 16 SEPT. 16, 2025
2025 Education Edition
Expanding curriculum Katy, Lamar Consolidated ISDs push career readiness with growing CTE programs
Welding is one of 40 career and technical education areas of focus that Lamar CISD o ers for students. The CTE programs at Katy ISD and LCISD help contribute to the statewide need for skilled workers. (Courtesy Lamar Consolidated ISD)
INSIDE
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Also in this issue
Transportation: Page 18 See what improvements could be made to Grand Parkway
Business: Page 31 Find out where kids can enjoy indoor playgrounds in the area
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact
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KATY FULSHEAR EDITION
Impacts
Now open
CLAY RD.
ELYSON EXCHANGE WAY
1 Wychico Realty The real estate company offers listings for small to large lots with 17 agents on staff. • Opened April 7
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2 Scroggins Chapel at Parkway Fellowship The church opened a 300-seat chapel—a “classic white,” structure with exposed beams and old bells—at its Katy campus to hold weddings, funerals and other events. • Opened May 23 • 5911 Morton Road, Katy • www.parkwayfellowship.com 3 Crust Pizza Co. The Chicago-inspired eatery offers thin-crust pizzas, calzones, pastas, salads, sandwiches and desserts. • Opened June 26 • 22219 FM 529, Ste. 105, Katy • www.crustpizzaco.com 4 Swig The Utah-based franchise offers “dirty sodas,” a soda- based mixture with cream, syrup and other mix-ins. • Opened June 26 • 1111 Katy Fort Bend Road, Ste. 100, Katy • www.swigdrinks.com 5 Lifted Trucks The automotive shop specializes in lifting and accessorizing pickup trucks, Broncos, Jeeps and SUVs. • Opened July 1 • 23811 I-10 Frontage Road, Katy • www.liftedtrucks.com 6 Jason’s Deli The deli’s sandwich offerings include clubs, wraps, paninis or a build-your-own option. • Opened July 12
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• 7114 S. Fry Road, Katy • www.jasonsdeli.com
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BY TOMER RONEN & AUBREY VOGEL
7 Playa Bowls The New Jersey-based franchise offers a variety of acai bowls, smoothies, cold brews and juices. • Opened July 13 • 28432 FM 1093, Ste. C, Fulshear • www.playabowls.com 8 Amazing Explorers Academy The child care facility offers science, technology, engineering, arts and math curriculum for children up to age 4. • Opened July 21 9 Post Oak Grill The restaurant’s menu offers New American cuisine including dishes such as the Chilean sea bass, filet mignon and Romano-crusted chicken. Guests can also enjoy cocktails and wine options. • Opened this summer • 17790 Katy Freeway, Houston • www.postoakgrill.com Star Break The home studio aims to help youth make their break into the entertainment industry with audition coaching, acting classes, dance workshops and more. • Opened July 28 • www.starbreak.biz • 6907 Peek Road, Katy • www.aexplorers.com
which has yet to be named, will bring 156-duplex units along the under-construction Galileo Way near the Market at Katy Park. • Opening near the end of the second quarter of 2026 • Galileo Way, Katy • www.rskrealestatepartners.com 12 We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym The gym will offer a play space suitable for children of all abilities with occupational therapy equipment and
Coming soon
classes available. • Opening this fall
• 23930 Westheimer Parkway, Ste. 108, Katy • www.werockthespectrumwesthouston.com
In the news
17 Milkshake Factory The shop, which was founded in Pittsburgh in 1914 as a soda fountain and chocolate shop, offers signature shakes made with the brands homemade ice cream with flavors including chocolate dipped strawberry and campfire s’mores. The brand's most recent launch, the Dubai style chocolate bar features pistachio crème and toasted kataifi layered in rich milk chocolate. • Opening early 2026 • 7040 Elyson Exchange Way, Ste. E-100, Cypress • www.milkshakefactory.com
13 Autism Care Plus The clinic relocated to a larger facility from its previous location on Westheimer Parkway in May. The new location has grown its therapy rooms from four to 11. • 21733 Provincial Blvd., Ste. 810, Katy • www.autismcareplus.com 14 Imported Decor II The shop, which offers indoor and outdoor clay and ceramic pots, foundations and columns, relocated in May. • 26243 Karen Lane, Katy • 281-293-9620 15 LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch The development, home to Trader Joe’s, Consuela, Lululemon and Chewy Vet Care, was bought by Brixmor Property Group Inc. in July for $223 million. • 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy • www.lacenterra.com 16 Sylvan Learning The business, which offers tutoring for grades K-12, recently expanded to include college prep ahead of its 5th anniversary in June. • 6619 W Cross Creek Bend Lane, Ste. 100, Fulshear • www.sylvanlearning.com/locations/us/tx/ fulshear-tutoring
18 Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center
Coming soon
The clinic, which offers medical services including primary care and lab services, celebrated its 10th anniversary in July. • 22430 Grand Corner Drive, Katy • www.memorialhermann.org
10 Celebree School of Cross Creek Ranch The child care facility offers several programs for children between six weeks and 12 years old, including toddler care, preschool care, before and after school care, and summer camps. • Opening first quarter of 2026 • 6511 Skyline Drive, Fulshear • www.celebree.com/cross-creek-ranch-tx 11 Build-to-rent community The 9.37-acre project by RSK Real Estate Partners,
Closings
19 Big Z’s Chicago Pizza & Brew The pizzeria, which was set to relocate, will no longer move into a new location due to leasing issues. • 10610 Gaston Road, Katy
2206 Almond Creek Lane | Katy, Texas, 77423 | Jordan Ranch | $699,000
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Government
BY TOMER RONEN
County moves forward with citizens redistricting committee
Fort Bend County Judge KP George appointed Jacob Lee, treasurer for the Fort Bend Conservatives PAC, to head the county’s new Citizens Redistricting Advisory Committee at a July 22 meeting. Appointments came after a July 8 meeting, where a 3-2 vote approved the creation of the committee, which will allow the public to advise the court on redistricting. The backstory The move comes after several debates about how to draw county voter precincts this year, following a letter from state Rep. Matt Morgan, R-Richmond, saying 37 of 174 of the county’s voter precincts during the November election did not meet state population requirements. State law requires counties with populations over 100,000 to contain no less than 100 and no more than 5,000 voters in each precinct.
What they’re saying Commissioners Vincent Morales and Andy Meyers said they believe the county could be sued without action to comply. “I will tell you, the state legislators, our state reps, are watching,” Morales said at the July 8 meeting. “We’ve got to get this right; we’ve got to make sure it is within the legal bounds. Otherwise, we’re going to get sued anyway.” However, Commissioner Dexter McCoy said approving a new map could open the county up to lawsuits similar to Petteway v. Galveston County, which saw the reversal of a four-decade-long precedent last August that allows racial and ethnic groups to aggregate their populations in cases of Voting Rights Act violations. Looking ahead County officials declined to comment on when and where the committee will meet.
Meet the Citizens Redistricting Advisory Committee
NOTE: PRECINCT 4 COMMISSIONER DEXTER MCCOY AND PRECINCT 2 COMMISSIONER GRADY PRESTAGE DID NOT NOMINATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS, WITH MCCOY CITING UNCLEAR PROCESSES FOR THE COMMITTEE. Appointed by Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers: Upendra Sahu , assistant secretary for Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District Mike Gibson , former chairman for Fort Bend County Republican Party Appointed by Judge KP George: Jacob Lee , treasurer for the Fort Bend Conservative PAC (Chair) Robert Beham , second vice chairman for Fort Bend County Republican Party Appointed by Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales: Wendy Duncan , who ran for Precinct 3 commissioner in 2020 Ryan Yokubaitis , Pecan Grove Municipal Utility District president
SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION
News
Food truck park coming to downtown Fulshear
Precinct 4 to offer after-school program Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones is launching the Stay After School With Precinct 4 free after-school program in August for residents at Thomas A. Glazier Senior Education Center. What parents should know The after-school program is being offered on a first-come, first-served basis for children in kindergarten through fifth grade and will run Monday through Friday, Aug. 12-June 4, 2026, from 3-7 p.m., but will be closed on major holidays and school breaks. Students will partake in different activi- ties based on grade levels to support social development and creativity, according to a July news release. Program areas will include science, technology, engineering, arts, math, sports and leadership.
A new attraction is heading to Downtown Fulshear amid city efforts to revitalize the area. At a July 15 meeting, Fulshear City Council approved a specific use permit for The Track FTX, a food truck park in downtown. The park is slated to include a 4,500-square-foot building adjacent to truck sites, according to agenda documents. The details The park will feature two itinerant trucks and one permanent truck, Planning Director Josh Brothers said in an email. Developers also plan to sell alcohol and will offer live music shows. “What you see here is not a typical food truck park,” he said. “It is more of a dine-in restaurant, but instead of the kitchen inside serving the guests, it’s done by the food trucks themselves.” Zooming out The development comes as the city is underway with its $3.75 million reconstruction of Harris Street from FM 1093 to Fifth Street. In June, City Council
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“This is an exciting concept, very popular in a lot of other cities, and it’s going to be extremely
family-friendly, so we are looking forward [to it].” DON MCCOY, FULSHEAR MAYOR
also approved both East and West Downtown street projects, including overlays and reconstruction. Looking ahead A timeline was not available before press time.
EVERYONE DESERVES A HEALTHY LIFE.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY DIEGO COLLAZO, MELISSA ENAJE & TOMER RONEN
4 Katy communities among best-selling
Fort Bend Transit requests $13.7M
Katy communities in the top 50 1 Sunterra, tied for 4th with 543
2 Tamarron, 9th with 510 3 Anniston, 11th with 476 4 Elyson, 37th with 217
Fort Bend County officials approved the submission of a $13.7 million grant applica- tion to the Federal Transit Administration to revamp the county’s transit system in a July 22 meeting. Awards will be announced Sept. 26 with implementation by next fall. The details Project elements include: • $4.5 million to replace 13 buses • $3.8 million to expand the existing fleet by adding 11 compressed natural gas, or CNG buses • $2 million to upgrade the existing mainte- nance facility in Rosenberg • $4.8 million to build a CNG fueling station at the Rosenberg maintenance facility • $49,166 for staff training
Four of the top 50 best-selling master planned communities in the country call the Katy area home, according to the mid-year Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities Report by RCLCO, a real estate consultant firm. The Greater Houston area had nine total locations across the metro—including develop- ments in Katy, Cypress, Rosharon, New Caney and Missouri City—amounting to 17.4% of the total sales among the top 50 communities. The rankings are based on total new home contracts as reported by each community. Zooming in The Katy area contributed over 1,746 of the 17,978 sales to the top 50 list in the first half of 2025, according to the report, with Sunterra in Katy leading all Houston communities with 543 sales.
FREEMAN RD.
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SOURCE: RCLCO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION
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Government
BY MELISSA ENAJE, RACHEL LELAND & JESSICA SHORTEN
County officials urge disaster preparedness amid FEMA concerns
Diving in deeper
FEMA funding also provides individual assistance directly to residents affected by local disasters. Individual assistance can vary from lump sum payments to hotel accommodations for families affected by a disaster. Following the derecho event and Hurricane Beryl in 2024, the Houston region received two presidential disaster declarations. According to funding allocation reports from FEMA, 739,519 applications for individual assistance for home- owners were approved from the two events, totaling nearly $1.2 billion in assistance passed on to residents in 2024 alone. Individual assistance requests from Hurricane Harvey, Tropical Storm Imelda, Hurricane Beryl, the Houston derecho and the 2024 severe storms totaled $2.9 billion, according to FEMA. FEMA individual assistance funding for Houston region Housing assistance funding Other assistance funding Hurricane Harvey $1.2B $413M Tropical Storm Imelda $57M $11M 2024 derecho/tornado/severe storm $143M $164M Hurricane Beryl $191M $724M
Abbott was appointed to the special review council in May alongside Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Department of Emergency Management. Abbott said the state has historically led disaster response. The biggest concern voiced by local agencies is natural disasters typically cause several million in debris removal and hazard mitigation costs typically reimbursed by FEMA. “Since 2017, Fort Bend County has received approximately $48 million in FEMA funding,” Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management officials said in an emailed response. “These funds have supported critical effort such as home elevation projects, property buyouts and demolitions, and disaster assistance grants.”
Following the announcement of a new committee May 20 aimed at addressing the reliability and existence of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Houston- area agencies remain uncertain on how the federal FEMA Review Council will affect disaster response in the region. In a July 14 press conference, Gov. Greg Abbott said the main goal of the committee is to streamline processes to provide faster emergency response. “The monetary resources that we are receiving now, they’re much needed for things like … debris removal or search and rescue operations,” Abbott said. “Those will still be funded, but we will have the ability to do it a whole lot faster.”
Immediately following a disaster, local counties seek FEMA funding for public assistance and debris removal. Regional major storm debris removal costs
Galveston County Harris County Fort Bend County
Hurricane Harvey
April/May 2024 severe storms
Hurricane Beryl
$40M
$30M
$20M
$10M
$0
SOURCES: HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE, FORT BEND COUNTY, GALVESTON COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT NOTE: NO FUNDS WERE USED IN FORT BEND OR GALVESTON COUNTIES FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL FROM THE APRIL AND MAY 2024 SEVERE STORMS.
SOURCE: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Final takeaways
The federal review council has met twice in 2025 to discuss how FEMA currently operates, and there is no deadline on when the final report will be issued. “We have full confidence in the continued partnership and support of the Texas Division of Emergency Management,” Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management officials said. “Our collaborative relationship with the state has proven effective in past disaster responses, and we trust their leadership moving forward.”
The possibility of FEMA being dissolved still looms over other community leaders who share concerns over the funding provided to local agencies following a natural disaster. “Eliminating FEMA is reckless and will have devastating and deadly consequences,” Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said. “States already manage disaster response, and rely on FEMA’s partnership, funding, and expertise after major disasters.”
With the 2025 hurricane season underway, many agencies are focused on maintaining preparedness for storms and see the potential for streamlining FEMA processes. “Our preparations for the 2025 hurricane reason remain unchanged,” Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management officials said. “As always, we are following our established protocols and will continue to stay alert to any guidance that would require adjustments to our approach.”
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KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION
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Dining
BY AUDREY BAKER
Local Table brings fresh, family-friendly dining experience to Katy Local Table opened its rst location in Katy with just 30 employees. Now, the family-owned restau- rant has over 400 employees, ve locations and plans to keep expanding. In addition to its agship restaurant in Katy, Local Table has locations in Fulshear, Cypress, Garden Oaks and The Woodlands, with plans to open another in Missouri City by January. What they o er Local Table o ers a variety of dishes ranging from burgers, sandwiches and pizza to seafood, tacos and plant-based rice bowls. Other popular o erings include the gyros plate, lemon pasta and various salmon dishes. “There’s really not one cuisine that we specialize in, and I think it works really well for families, because you might have a wife who wants some- thing, and the father wants something completely di erent, and kids want their kids’ meals,” co-owner Shervin Shari said. The restaurant also o ers a separate brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays featuring crab cakes eggs benedict, chicken and wa es, omelets and smoked salmon avocado toast. Local Table’s Katy and Cypress locations also feature The Local Bar, where customers can enjoy made-from-scratch cocktails. Looking ahead The restaurant hopes to launch a new concept, Local Spot, in Cross Creek Ranch in August o ering appetizers, entrees, nger foods and craft cocktails.
The Local’s Kabob Plate features skewers of beef tenderloin or grilled chicken, herb basmati rice, seasonal vegetables and warm pita ($22).
PHOTOS COURTESY LOCAL TABLE
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1 24033 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy 2 11525 S. Fry Road, Ste. 101, Fulshear 3 6450 Cross Creek Bend Lane, Fulshear www.eatatlocaltable.com
Local Table o ers a variety of cocktails, wines and beers.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Business
BY ROO MOODY
The practice o ers wellness services for all skin types.
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26622 Cook Field Road, Ste 300, Katy www.hibiscus.health
Dr. Jacinta Anyaoku opened Hibiscus Aesthetics and Wellness to allow for a more exible schedule as a mom of two.
PHOTOS BY ROO MOODY COMMUNITY IMPACT
Hibiscus Aesthetics and Wellness celebrates 4 years of business During the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Jacinta Anyaoku decided it was time for a career change. She had been working as a primary physician in Houston when she had her rst son and needed to take some extra time o for maternity leave. Her request for additional time was denied, pushing
her to begin her own practice. In 2021, Dr. Anyaoku founded Hibiscus Aesthet- ics and Wellness as a primary care practice, and has now transitioned the business to o er only aesthetic treatments. Zooming in The med spa, which just celebrated its 4th anniversary, o ers a variety of services, including Botox, injectables, microneedling, facials, laser hair removal and medical weight loss, Anyaoku said. With a focus on wellness, Dr. Anyaoku said she became board-certi ed in obesity medicine as the use of Ozempic and other GLP-1s became more accessible to the public.
The practice also prioritizes treating skin of color, as one of Dr. Anyaoku’s goals was to create a practice that safely serves all skin types. She said darker skin tones tend to react di erently to certain types of treatments, such as chemical peels and lasers. “Everything we do is intentional to make sure that it’s safe for everybody,” Anyaoku said. “I have a laser here that is speci cally chosen because it’s safe on all skin tones.” The business recently expanded its services to o er hydrafacials, which work to cleanse and hydrate the skin.
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KATY FULSHEAR EDITION
Transportation
Events
BY NATALIE JOHNSON & AUBREY VOGEL
BY TOMER RONEN
Feedback needed for $157M Grand Parkway widening Texas Department of Transportation officials are seeking public input regarding proposed improve- ments to the Grand Parkway. Zooming in 249
Hwy. 36A meetings to happen in August Residents are invited to take part in public meetings in late August to learn about potential routes for the southern portion of the proposed Hwy. 36A project. The details The meetings will present eight alterna- tives for the project segment from FM 1994 south of Needville to I-10 West in Katy, said Kristina Hadley, public information officer for the Texas Department of Transportation.
Katy Triathlon The triathlon challenges participants with a 500 meter open water swim, 13 mile bike ride and 3 mile run. • Aug. 31, 6:45 a.m. • $112.30 (participants) • 24566 Kingsland Blvd., Katy • www.katytriathlon.org
August
Katy Community Expo The event will merge the expo and the Katy Home & Outdoor Living Show featuring over 175 vendors. • Aug. 23-24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Saturday), 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (Sunday) • Free (online admission), $5 (at door) • 6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy • www.homefortheholidaysgiftmarket.com Aaron Watson concert Country music singer Aaron Watson is performing this August at Mo’s Place. • Aug. 23, 8 p.m.-11 p.m., doors open at 7:30 p.m. • $30-$45 (tickets) • 21940 Kingsland Blvd., Katy • www.outhousetickets.com/events/ mos-place-aaron-watson-2 Warrant’s “Let The Good Times Rock Tour” The tour will feature special guests Lita Ford and Firehouse.” • Aug. 24, 8 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. • Tickets from $53.86 • 1220 Grand W. Blvd., Katy • www.tixr.com
September
290
The project aims to improve the Grand Parkway congestion from I-10 West to Hwy. 290 by adding one main lane in each direction, resulting in three northbound and three southbound lanes. The 15-mile project is estimated to cost $157 million and will be funded by toll revenue, according to project documents. Looking ahead An environmental decision and detailed design is expected to be completed between mid-2025 and early 2026, respectively, according to project documents. Construction is anticipated to begin in mid- 2026 and is estimated to be completed in less than five years.
Story Time with Ms. Maria Join Ms. Maria for story time, lively songs and art projects at Central Green Park. • Sept. 4, 10-11 a.m. • Free (admission)
99 TOLL
6
Rempore storior ehendaest, simi, sinctem laboresto odisi offic tem ipsa atiunt aligni- taquia pa veniaspienis asim aliquiam nam et erspeliat omnihilit, que ex etur re non Impactism here Rempore storior ehendaest, simi, sinctem laboresto odisi offic tem ipsa atiunt aligni- taquia pa veniaspienis asim aliquiam nam et erspeliat omnihilit, que ex etur re non porerro et fugiates audit, con plaborit quatur • $25 (vendor registration) • 5339 E. 3rd Street, Katy • www.kidsmarkets.com/event/katy-2 Children's Entrepreneur Market Kids run this farmers market at The Dryer by preparing food, engaging with customers, answering questions and handling money without any help from their parents. • Sept. 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy • www.centralgreenpark.com
Katy
10
Boots and Brews The official kick-off to the Katy Rice Harvest Festival will have live music, food, drinks and more. • Sept. 13, 7-10 p.m.
Public meetings Aug. 26, 5-7 p.m.
N
The public can submit comments through Aug. 22 at: • Online at www.txdot.gov/projects/ hearings-meetings.html • By mail to P.O. Box 1386, Houston • Via email to HOU-PIOwebmail@txdot.gov
• Leonard Merrell Center • 6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy
• Free (admission) • 904 Ave. C, Katy • www.cityofkaty.com
Aug. 28, 5-7 p.m.
• Fort Bend County Epicenter • 28505 Southwest Freeway, Rosenberg
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
MASON ROAD 1640 S Mason Rd (281) 395-6262 KATY MILLS 24417 Katy Fwy (281) 394-5780
FALCON LANDING 9722 Gaston Rd (281) 574-3008
FULSHEAR 24940 FM 1093 (281) 391-4008
CINCO RANCH 3050 W Grand Pkwy (281) 392-5554
20
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY VALERIA ESCOBAR
Education Edition
2025
Welcome to the annual CI Education Edition!
Premium sponsors:
This edition highlights career and technical programs in both Katy and Lamar Consolidated ISDs as statewide workforce demand grows. The article dives into KISD’s new water operations certi cate and provides an update on LCISD’s new career and technical building, which is now under construction. The edition also features a look at how school districts can use budget and bond funds as well as a look at the new state laws regarding homeschool participation in UIL athletics. A dive into how both ISDs compare to statewide STAAR scores round out this edition.
Aubrey Vogel Editor Avogel@ communityimpact.com
University of Houston College of Education www.uh.edu/education coecomm@uh.edu
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Katy, Lamar Consolidated ISDs update cellphone policies Marlon Waites, LCISD chief student service o cer, said at the June 17 board meeting that the bill overrides the school policy approved in January by banning student phone use during the school day, including during lunch and other non-instructional time. Required by state policy, these changes will be shared with KISD and LCISD parents and students in time for the Sept. 1 compliance deadline:
Katy and Lamar Consolidated ISD administra- tors have implemented updated cellphone policies that will impact all students from elementary to high school beginning this fall. The revision is in response to new requirements under House Bill 1481, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature in June, which mandates tighter restrictions on student use of personal communi- cation devices during school hours, Sherri Ashorn, KISD director of student a airs, said at the July 21
In emergency situations, KISD school sta will instruct students on the use of telecommunication devices. LCISD students are advised to make emergency calls at the front desk. Violation of the policy will result in device con scation, followed by parent communication and pick up, in addition to campus-speci c restrictions. Personal communication devices must be stored in the student’s backpack or locker while on school property during the day.
Similarly, KISD’s policy will shift from limited access to personal devices based on grade level as approved in July 2024. Waites said the bill also eliminates the previ- ously enforced $15 fee charged to LCISD students for retrieving con scated phones. The details Per the policy, students with an Individualized Education Plan or with Section 504 accommoda- tions may use their device if campus administra- tors deem appropriate, district o cials said.
board meeting. What’s changing
The policy changes were approved by KISD trustees at the July 28 meeting and by LCISD trustees at a June 17 meeting. Under the new policy, students will be pro- hibited from having cellphones on their person or using devices anywhere on school property during the instructional day, per KISD and LCISD district communications.
SOURCES: KATY ISD, LAMAR CISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
21
KATY FULSHEAR EDITION
22
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY AUBREY VOGEL
As Lamar CISD prepares for a potential November bond and Katy ISD nears its 2025-26 budget approval, district officials helped break down district funding. Districts break down funding
Zooming in
Diving deeper
School districts approve budgets annually which fund everything from supplies to teacher salaries as well as unfunded state mandates, district officials said. Funding sources include local revenue from property taxes, state revenue from student enrollment and average daily attendance, and federal funding to support specific programs or initiatives.
Bonds, which are issued debts, can be called when districts determine a funding need for larger capital projects such as new schools.
90M Historic school bonds
Katy ISD Lamar ISD
2014 2010 2006 2002 1999 1996 1994
$130M
$324M $315M $269M
Budget vs. bond
Budget
Terms to know
$459M
• Approved by school boards annually • Majority used to fund staffing with little available for infrastructure projects • Includes some funding from the state • Can raise property taxes but not always
$748M
General Fund: Also referred to as Maintenance and Operating Budget (M&O) , the primary fund used for daily school operations—such as paying staff, buying supplies and keeping schools running Interest & Sinking Fund (I&S): The fund used to repay debt from bonds; separate from the General Fund Capital Budget: A budget for long-term investments such as infrastructure, buildings or equipment
$240.6M
$609.2M
2017
$445.5M
Bond
$666.8M $676.2M
2020 2021 2022 2023 2025
• Must be approved by voter majority • Primary source for funding infrastructure • No state funds are available • Can raise property taxes but not always
$1.52B
$840.3M
$1.99B*
SOURCES: KATY ISD, LAMAR CISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
*PROPOSED BOND HAS NOT BEEN CALLED AS OF PRESS TIME NOTE: KATY ISD HAD FAILED BONDS IN MAY 2006 AND 2013, WHILE LCISD HAD A FAILED BOND IN 2023.
SOURCES: KATY ISD, LAMAR CISD/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCES: KATY ISD, LAMAR CISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
What else?
$1.50 $1.00 $0.50 $2.00 0 Historical tax rates
Katy ISD
Lamar ISD
boards in August or September and are paid by residents in their annual property taxes. “It’s important to note that voter approval of a bond grants the district to issue debt but does not ensure an increase in the tax rate,” LCISD Chief Communications Officer Sonya Cole-Hamilton said.
Both budgets and bonds affect the district’s tax rate, which includes both the I&S and M&O rates. Each year, schools set a property tax rate, which can only be increased by a certain percentage before needing to be approved by voters in an election. Tax rates are typically approved by school
SOURCES: KATY ISD, LAMAR CISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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23
KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION
Expanding curriculum From the cover
Why it matters
What’s happening?
Career growth
A 2023 high growth report from the Texas Work- force Commission predicts 762,000 jobs will open by 2030, which exceed the statewide annual median pay of $43,463. This includes 215 “high-wage occu- pations” within 13 different industries, including construction, manufacturing and health care. Texas is expected to add 2.3 million new jobs by 2030, with only 39.3% expected to require some form of postsecondary education or training, the data shows. A significant portion of these jobs are expected to be in the professional, scientific and technical services industries, followed by health care and construction. Additionally, a 2024 report on Texas Growth Occupation from the TWC shows Texas is expected to have one of the fastest-growing labor forces in the nation at 14.7% by 2032, exceeded only by Utah.
Career and technical education is growing in Katy and Lamar Consolidated ISDs as the statewide need for non-degree jobs continues to soar. KISD offers over 130 CTE courses, including its new water operations certificate in partnership with Inframark, while LCISD offers over 40 areas of study and an incoming career center slated for fall 2026. “Many students find these courses especially meaningful because they see a clear connection between what they’re learning and real-world careers,” LCISD CTE Coordinators Pam Fyke and Kristin Gann said in an email. Data from the October 2023 Kinder Institute for Urban Research’s Houston Education Research Consortium showed over two-thirds of Houston-area high school graduates qualified as “CTE graduates” from 2013-2019.
2022 job numbers 2032 job numbers
2023 annual median salary
Pharmacy Technician
Truck driver
Chef
Welder
Carpenter
30K
20K
10K
0
$48,111 $47,240 $47,964 $58,442 $47,743
SOURCE: 2024 REPORT ON TEXAS GROWTH OCCUPATION FROM THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
CTE programs
KISD and LCISD offer a number of different CTE courses, including:
By the numbers
CTE student enrollment
LCISD
KISD
Transportation
Culinary
As LCISD nears its new CTE center’s opening, program enrollment numbers have spiked from 12,701 in 2024-25 to over 20,000 students enrolled for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. The four most popular programs include hospitality and tourism, agriculture, health science and STEM. In KISD, CTE continues trending upward, top- ping 30,000 students in the 2023-24 school year. The three most popular programs include agricul- tural sciences, health science and engineering.
40K
33,517
Cosmetology
Welding
27,943
30K
Law enforcement
20,541
Pharmacy
20K
10,317
Carpentry
Agriculture
10K
0
SOURCES: KATY ISD, LAMAR CISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26
2021-22
SOURCES: KATY ISD, LAMAR CISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
RATES AS LOW AS
4747 FM 1463, Suite 1000 Katy, TX 77494 713.852.6700 TexasBayCU.org
*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Standard variable rate APR of 4.64% to 18.00% based on your creditworthiness and relationship product discounts. Rates current as of 08/01/2025. Payment periods range from 12 to 84 months. Example payment: $10,000 for 60 months at 6.00% APR will have a monthly payment of $194.00.
24
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY TOMER RONEN & AUBREY VOGEL
One more thing
What they’re saying
John C. Kennedy, associate provost for Texas State Technical College, said he has noticed a recent shift in CTE offerings in local school districts. He attributes this growth to the skilled workforce “aging out” and the shift in mindset that skilled work can directly impact the economic growth of a community. The same sentiment was echoed statewide with Gov. Greg Abbott pushing for the expansion of statewide CTE programs during the 89th legislative session. Lawmakers passed House Bills 20 and 120, which aim to increase access and funding for career-related curriculum.
“CTE programs are more than classrooms and certifications— they are gateways to meaningful careers and economic mobility.” JOHN C. KENNEDY,
"[CTE] programs are invaluable because you’re giving students the opportunity to learn and figure out what they like." JEFF DONG, FORMER KISD CTE STUDENT
ASSOCIATE PROVOST, TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE
What else?
serve the public. Additionally, the center will offer the state’s first CTE logistics program, which will focus on supply movement and warehousing. The programs are intended to attract students by aligning with current industry needs and preparing students for employment, officials said. The center is expected to be operational by August 2026.
LCISD’s new 236,211-square-foot campus in Rosenberg will offer junior and senior courses in seven career clusters, including health science, transportation and engineering, Community Impact previously reported. The center will have three enterprises—culinary arts, cosmetology and automotive—that will have community-facing elements, where students can
Bill breakdown
House Bill 20
Filed by Rep. Gary Gates, R-Richmond
House Bill 120 Filed by Keith Bell, R-Forney Increases school district funding from $50 to $150 per student for Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools, where students can earn up to 60 college credits while enrolled in LCISD Creates the Applied Sciences Pathway program for students to concurrently earn high school diplomas and certificates
CTE clusters housed at LCISD’s new center will include:
• Health science • Hospitality and tourism • Logistics • Engineering
• Arts • Human services • Architecture and construction
59
SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
N
The new campus will o er a variety of career clusters.
RENDERING COURTESY LAMAR CISD
SOURCE: LAMAR CISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION
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YOUR COMMUNITY AWAITS Make the YMCA your place this fall. Dive into group exercise classes, enroll your kids in after school, youth sports and swim lessons, or get involved in activities the whole family will enjoy. There’s something for every age, interest and goal. Membership benefits include: Flexible annual and monthly options Unlimited group exercise classes Free wellness orientation Programs for all ages
Learn more at ymcahouston.org.
YMCA Mission: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Everyone is welcome.
26
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY VALERIA ESCOBAR & GRACE HU
STAAR results show KISD, LCISD outperform state peers
seeing 97%, data shows. Meanwhile, the lowest passage rate for both was in seventh-grade math at 58% and 47%, respectively. KISD saw improvements in sixth-grade math, third-grade reading and fifth-grade science compared to the 2023-24 school year, data shows. Regressions were seen in third-grade math, fifth- grade math and fifth-grade reading. LCISD saw the most improvement in third-grade and fourth-grade reading, fifth-grade science, sixth-grade and seventh-grade reading, and eighth-grade math compared to the 2023-24 school year, per the data. Meanwhile, the highest regres- sions were seen in eighth-grade social studies, Algebra I EOC and English II EOC. Taking a step back According to a June 17 TEA news release,
Students at Katy and Lamar Consolidated ISDs are passing the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Excellence, or STAAR, at a higher rate compared to their statewide peers, with KISD students outperforming their peers in all areas, according to spring 2025 results released by the Texas Education Agency on June 17. The release of the STAAR scores follows the TEA’s 2022-23 A-F ratings release in late April, for which both KISD and LCISD earned a ‘B’ rating, Commu- nity Impact reported. Public school accountability ratings for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years will be available Aug. 15 following lawsuits. Diving in deeper The highest passage rate for both districts was in the U.S. history end-of-course, or EOC, exam with KISD seeing 98% of students pass and LCISD
students across the state showed growth in read- ing but didn’t see as much progress in math. About 43% of Texas students met grade-level standards in math, compared to 50% in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Community Impact reporting. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said in the release that the overall results around the state reflect “strategic supports” that have been implemented recently; however, he said there is still room for improvement. “With [reading language arts] scores now surpassing pre-pandemic levels, we are seeing meaningful signs of academic recovery and prog- ress. While this year also saw some improvements in math, clearly more work is needed,” Morath said in the release.
STAAR passage rate changes, 2024 vs. 2025
The data shows the difference in the percentage points of students who approached grade level— which is considered passing—between the spring 2024 and spring 2025 administrations of the STAAR.
Katy ISD Lamar CISD Texas
Math STAAR scores
Reading STAAR scores
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
3rd grade
3rd grade
4th grade
4th grade
5th grade
5th grade
6th grade
6th grade
7th grade
7th grade
8th grade
8th grade
83% of Texans take action after reading Community Impact—and 76% say our ads help them discover new products and services. Contact us! ads@communityimpact.com Want results like that for your business? SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION
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