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KATY SOUTH FULSHEAR EDITION
VOLUME 11, ISSUE 12 AUG. 24 SEPT. 21, 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 • YMCA of Greater Houston 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 28 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
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KATY SOUTH - FULSHEAR EDITION
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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 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 16 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 20. 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
GRAPHIC DESIGNER La’Toya Smith ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Tracy Drewa METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Jason Culpepper MANAGING EDITOR Kelly Schafler COPY EDITOR Adrian Gandara SENIOR ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Kaitlin Schmidt CONTACT US 16300 Northwest Freeway Jersey Village, TX 77040 • 281-469-6181 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES ktfnews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING ktfads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron
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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
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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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 SOUTH - FULSHEAR EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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 SOUTH FULSHEAR EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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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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 KTFNEWS@COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
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KATY SOUTH - FULSHEAR EDITION • AUGUST 2023
Stunning homes. A charming community. The best of both worlds.
Welcome to Pecan Ridge, a new home community tucked away off of FM 359 in Fulshear, Texas. Find the perfect combination of a small-town community that offers big resident-exclusive amenities like a recreation center featuring a sparkling pool, two-story water slide, picnic area, fitness center, fishing boardwalk, a fun-filled playground with a splashpad and miles of neighborhood walking paths.
Tour six beautiful, new model homes open daily by two of Houston’s premier homebuilders, Toll Brothers and Tri Pointe Homes. Choose from an exciting collection of home designs priced from the mid $300s on 45’, 50’ and 60’ homesites.
Your new home is waiting for you. Scan the QR code to learn more about Pecan Ridge.
New Homes From The Mid $300s | 1,884 - 3,735 Sq. Ft. | 3 - 6 Beds | 2 - 5 Baths | 2- to 3-Bay Garage
The prices of our homes, included features, plans, specifications, promotions/incentives, neighborhood build-out and available locations are subject to change without notice. Stated dimensions, square footage and acreage are approximate and should not be used as a representation of any home’s or homesite’s precise or actual size, location or orientation. There is no guarantee that any particular homesite or home will be available. A Broker/Agent must register their client in person on client’s first visit at each community for a Broker/Agent to receive a commission or referral fee, if available. Not all features and options are available in all homes. Unless otherwise expressly stated, homes do not come with hardscape, landscape, or other decorator items. Any photographs or renderings used herein reflect artists’ conceptions and are for illustrative purposes only. Community maps, illustrations, plans and/or amenities reflect our current vision and are subject to change without notice. Photographs or renderings of people do not depict or indicate any preference regarding race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, familial status, or national origin. Our name and the logos contained herein are registered trademarks of Tri Pointe Homes, Inc., Toll Brothers Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. © 2023 Tri Pointe Homes Texas, Inc. © 2023 Toll Brothers Inc. All rights reserved.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
News from Katy & Harris County CITY & COUNTY County considering affordable housing tax exemption policy
QUOTE OF NOTE
Katy City Council will meet Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at 910 Ave. C, Katy. 281-391-4800. www.cityofkaty.com Harris County Commissioners Court will meet Aug. 29 at 1001 Preston Ave., Ste. 934, Houston. 713-755-5000. www.harriscountytx.gov MEETINGS WE COVER amount will also not automatically update for existing EZ TAG accounts. There are no charges for up to eight new EZ TAG stickers per account. minimum toll balance, lower EZ TAG sticker fee and paperless agreement statements are three changes Harris County drivers will notice with their Harris County Toll Road Authority accounts. The minimum prepaid toll balance, or rebill amount, is now $10 for up to two vehicles, as of July 18. Before the changes, the rebill amount was $20. The replenish NUMBER TO KNOW County are paying more for housing than they can afford, according to a county study. 500,000 households in Harris HIGHLIGHTS HARRIS COUNTY Judge Lina Hidalgo announced Aug. 7 that she will be on medical leave to seek inpatient care for clinical depression at on out-of-state facility. Hidalgo’s medical team anticipates she will resume her position by early September, according to a news release. According to a statement from Hidalgo, in order to discharge her duties she will remain in communication with key county staff. With Hidalgo’s absence, Commissioners Court will still continue to rule with majority vote, according to Communications Director Brandon Marshall. If the vote comes down to a 2-2 vote, the agenda item will not pass, he said. HARRIS COUNTY A lower “MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN DIFFICULT, BUT I AM TAKING IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE OPEN ABOUT MY OWN STRUGGLE, MY OWN CHALLENGES, AND TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS, WHO NEED HELP, TO SEEK TREATMENT.” LINA HIDALGO, HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE, ANNOUNCING UPCOMING MEDICAL LEAD DUE TO CLINICAL DEPRESSION
BY MELISSA ENAJE
HOUSING COST BURDEN A countywide housing needs assessment and 10-year strategy in October 2021 found nearly 500,000 families are paying more than they can afford for their homes.
HARRIS COUNTY A policy that will consider property tax exemptions for affordable housing owners is moving forward after a unanimous Commis- sioners Court vote July 18. Why it matters: An existing Texas tax code already provides exemptions to certain organizations that meet low-income housing requirements, but each local governing jurisdiction has to approve the tax exemption and specify the allowed threshold amount, said Mary Lawler, the CEO of Avenue, a Houston-based nonprofit affordable housing builder. “We are struggling right now with rising costs for our apartments and our ability to keep our rents affordable to working families and seniors who are really in need,” she said. How we got here: In April, commis- sioners directed several county depart- ments to establish a policy related to the approval of tax exemptions for
Annual household earnings Families paying more than they can afford
$20,000/year $35,000/year
$50,000/year
$75,000/year
• 128,767 renters • 46,849 owners
• 124,019 renters • 44,083 owners
• 58,109 renters • 35,582 owners
• 27,751 renters • 34,462 owners
Occupations • Fast-food and counter workers • Home health and personal care aides
• Retail
• Truck drivers • Administrative assistants • Bookkeepers
• Elementary school teachers • Skilled trade workers
salespersons
• Cashiers • Customer service • Waiters • Medical assistants
representatives
SOURCES: HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, KINDER INSTITUTE FOR URBAN RESEARCH, TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
certain low-income housing projects. Officials presented a preliminary policy to commissioners in July, and the finalized exemption policy is projected for completion by the end of August.
What else: The policy could make it more financially feasible for organi- zations to build affordable housing. A 2021 study found nearly 500,000 households in the county are paying more for housing than they can afford.
Harris County sues state over election bill
WATERING SCHEDULE A landscape watering schedule limiting residences and businesses to two days per week went into effect when the city entered Stage 3 drought conditions .
Residential addresses ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 Residential addresses ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
BY MELISSA ENAJE
Thursdays and Sundays
HARRIS COUNTY Leaders in Harris County officially filed a lawsuit against the state in an attempt to allow the courts to decide how it should run elections—a challenge to Senate Bill 1750, a recently passed law that eliminated the county’s election administrator office. “We’re suing because this law vio- lates the Texas Constitution,” Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said July 6. “We are filing a lawsuit to undo Senate Bill 1750, the law that botches the EA’s office in only Harris County. ... This is about protecting Harris County elections.” The county attorney’s office will be going to court and ask the judge to temporarily block SB 1750 from going into effect on Sept. 1, Menefee said. “What we don’t want is a situation where no court has agreed with us and we have an election to run in November 2023,” he said.
Wednesdays and Saturdays
Katy enters into Stage 3 ‘severe’ drought conditions SOURCES: CITY OF KATY /COMMUNITY IMPACT Commercial businesses, homeowners associations, green space and right of way
Tuesday and Fridays
city is working to reduce water consumption by 15%. In this stage of the drought plan, the city mandates residents and businesses to restrict water use. Landscape watering must be limited to two days per week depending on address and type of property from midnight to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. No watering will take place on Mondays, which will act as water storage recovery days. According to a release from the city, viola- tors of the mandatory watering schedule could be fined. According to the city website, the mayor has the ability to set a goal for greater water use reduction.
BY DANIEL WEEKS
KATY The city of Katy announced Aug. 14 the area entered into Stage 3 of its drought contingency plan. Here’s what residents need to know. In a nutshell: A release from the city states extreme heat condi- tions and a lack of forecasted rain caused the city to enter Stage 3 of its drought contingency plan, or “severe” drought.
Going forward: Stage 3 means the
13
KATY SOUTH - FULSHEAR EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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HIGHER EDUCATION New ‘historic’ state law to reward community colleges for performance
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. Officials 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 officials the old system was not sustainable. “Community college financing 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 difficult for smaller colleges in those places to keep their operations going as enrollment drops. And sometimes, due to the state having a fixed 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 certification in high-demand fields. 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 officials 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, officials said. “This is the most groundbreaking legislation I’ve seen,” Alvin Commu- nity College President Robert Exley
Property taxes Tuition
State
100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0%
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Jobs requiring middle skills or certification 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 significant 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 find 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 effect 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 effect 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 effect 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 financials 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 find a way that noncredit education can be credit that stacks,” Soto said. “It’s all for the benefit 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 influx 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 financial officer and senior vice chancellor of finance 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 unified 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 first time the funding model for community colleges in Texas has been significantly 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 Affairs Teri Zamora said. The law also has a newly placed emphasis on noncredit paths, Soto said. Those are paths that require cer- tification but are not standardized in the same way other degree programs might be, such as for truck drivers, electricians, and licensed practical
15
KATY SOUTH - FULSHEAR EDITION • AUGUST 2023
2023 EDUCATION EDITION COMMUNITY IMPACT IS PROUD TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
DISTRICT DATA
Data and information from local school districts
COMPILED BY DANIEL WEEKS
English learners Economically disadvantaged students STUDENT STATISTICS, 2022 23
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
SOURCES: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, KATY ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
23.47% 14.77%
43.4%
Statewide
62%
23.02% 12.74%
STUDENT ENROLLMENT
Percent change from 2020-21 12.98%
TOTAL TEACHERS AND SALARIES
Total number of teachers*
+17%
8000
6400
4800
3200
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24*
1600
*PROJECTED
0
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
STAFF SALARIES AND SUBSTITUTE PAY
Statewide
*TOTAL IS THE FULLTIME EQUIVALENT AND MAY INCLUDE PARTTIME POSITIONS. NUMBER OF TEACHERS PROVIDED FOR THE 202324 SCHOOL YEAR IS AN ESTIMATED PROJECTION FROM KATY ISD OFFICIALS.
Average salary by position, 2022-23
Starting teacher salary
12.38%
Substitute daily pay*
Superintendent
Support sta
Administrative sta
$80,000
$100- $115
$64,000
$48,000
$32,000
$16,000
0
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
*RANGES VARY BASED ON EXPERIENCE AND OTHER FACTORS.
N
4747 FM 1463, Suite 1000 Katy, TX 77494 713.852.6700 TexasBayCU.org
*APY=Annual Percentage Yield. APY acurate as of 08.01.23. Minimum opening deposit of $1,000. Minimum to earn advertised rates is $50,000. Rates subject to change without notice. Dividends paid monthly. Fees could reduce earnings. Early withdrawal penalties apply to all certificate accouunts.
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KATY SOUTH FULSHEAR EDITION
INSIDE INFORMATION
in with the NEW!
Understanding charter schools Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that were created by the Texas Legislature in 1995 to foster innovation and allow for more choices in the state’s public school system. Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools are fully funded by the state and receive no local revenue, such as property taxes.
Comparing schools
Charter schools serve about 7% of all public school students in Texas. Charter schools and independent school districts have similarities and di erences in their required rules and regulations. Key Number of students served Number of campuses ISDs Charter schools 5.43M students Nearly 300,000 students 8,973 schools 896 schools
The similarities
The differences
• Flexibility in designing and running charter schools • Specialized programs and models • Teacher certi cation requirements
• State curriculum standards and exams • Graduation requirements • Special education and bilingual
education requirements • Financial and academic accountability
Get ready, because there are all kinds of new coming to Elyson. Outdoor new. Indoor new. New shopping, new models, new moments. So much new, in fact, it might start to get old. (But we don’t think it will.) Visit Elyson.com/InWithTheNew
The process for admission to charter schools depends on whether there is space available at the school.
Admissions
Future students or parents must ll out an application with basic identifying information.
Preference in the lottery may be given to students with a sibling already admitted to or attending the school or students whose parent works on sta . If a school has more applicants than positions available, all open- enrollment charter schools are required to utilize a random lottery or admit students based on application submission order. Charter schools are open to all students, but barriers to entry can include living outside school boundaries, or having a criminal or disciplinary history.
NEW HOMES FROM THE $300 s –$1M+ 281.640.4004 23634 Savannah Sparrow Lane, Katy, TX 77493
From Grand Parkway, exit FM 529 and travel west. Turn right at Elyson Blvd. and follow signs to Model Home Village.
While charter schools receive more funding from the state overall than independent school districts, charter schools receive less public funding in total since they are not funded locally.
Funding
Public charter schools
Independent school districts
Newland is proud to be a part of Brookfield Properties. We are one of the largest developers of mixed-use communities in the United States. With our partner, North America Sekisui House, LLC, we believe it is our responsibility to create enduring, healthier communities for people to live life in ways that matter most to them. newlandco.com | nashcommunities.com
$11,958* per student Local funding: $7,611 per student State funding: $4,347 per student
$10,992 per student Local funding: none State funding: $10,992 per student
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)
*TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS GET MULTIPLE ALLOTMENTS BEYOND THE BASIC PER PUPIL FUNDING. THESE NUMBERS ARE CALCULATED BASED ON AVERAGE OVERALL FUNDING FROM STATE AND LOCAL SOURCES.
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