November 2, 2017 – A community-led bond committee comprised of over 100 parents, community members, faith-based leaders and students spent this past spring developing a fiscally responsible bond package that will address the rapid enrollment growth and the facility needs for Katy ISD. Below you will find b-roll for video purposes as well as information regarding the Katy ISD Bond and its impact on student education:
Katy ISD Bond B-roll (Size 1080 and 720 format)
Rapid Growth and Enrollment Projections:
Katy ISD is the second highest growing school district in the state of Texas. Since 2014, 7,500+ students have enrolled in Katy ISD schools, while it is anticipated that another 2,800 will enroll by the end of this school year. By 2026, Katy ISD is projected to have nearly 100,000 students enrolled.
What projects are in the 2017 bond?
This new bond package is about bricks and mortar for six new schools – three elementary schools, two junior highs and one high school. It also includes a total comprehensive renovation for Fielder Elementary, renovations and upgrades for 61 campuses – like kitchen renovations, foundation repairs, chillers and HVAC replacement/repairs, new roofs, new flooring and other improvements. The bond also includes funds for safety and security improvements, school expansions for Katy High School’s career and technical education program and Raines High School, and technology and infrastructure upgrades for all Katy ISD schools. Replacing old and aging buses and portables, as well as replacing fuel storage tanks will also be part of the bond referendum.
What is the cost of the bond?
$609,204,553 with a zero tax rate increase. Ninety-one percent (91%) of bond funds goes towards new schools, renovations and upgrades.
What would happen if Katy ISD delays the bond?
Approximately 2,800-3,000 students are showing up in Katy schools each year. Students and families are coming whether the district adds new schools or remains with the status quo. A one-year delay of the proposed bond projects would cost the taxpayers of Katy ISD an additional $50 million in inflationary costs for the exact same bond proposal a year later. More importantly, the majority of Katy ISD high schools that were designed to serve a maximum of 3,000 students would far exceed capacity if they were not to see relief from new schools. Schools with enrollment numbers that exceed capacity often experience overcrowding, added portable buildings, traffic issues, more early morning brunches and late afternoon lunches, and fewer opportunities for students to be involved in sports, extra and co-curricular activities at the high school level.
How does overcrowding affect class instruction?
Overcrowding in schools is not safe, nor conducive to quality and engaging learning experiences for students. Some Katy ISD schools have implemented a special bell schedule before, during and after school to help with overcrowded hallways. Portable buildings have also been added to campuses to avoid an overflow of students per classroom. Likewise, many students attend classes in portable buildings that present limitations to the learning space, as well as access to technology. The availability of restrooms from portable buildings is also challenging for not just students, but teachers as well.