By George Slaughter
The Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees Tuesday appointed Timothy Wolff as principal at Rhoads Elementary School.
“I’m excited to embrace this new learning adventure with Rhoads students, staff, parents and its school community,” Wolff said. “Much like a rocket that signifies an exploration and/or journey that reaches unimaginable heights, my goal is to see each students aim high with their dreams and goals.”
Wolff began his career in 2001 as an elementary teacher at Sienna Crossing Elementary in Fort Bend Independent School District. He and his family moved to Utah where he was a principal at Morgan Elementary School as well as Morgan County School District Title I Director.
Wolff joined the Katy Independent School District in 2016. He serves as assistant principal at WoodCreek Elementary School, then at Bear Creek Elementary School.
Wolff begins his new role at Rhoads Elementary on January 25. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Education from Weber State University, and his master’s degree, also in Education, from the University of Houston.
School Board Election Set for May 1
The board set May 1 for its next election.
Position 6, held by Susan Gesoff, and Position 7, held by Dawn Champagne, will be on the ballot. Both Gesoff, an industrial engineer, and Champagne, who works in retail sales, were elected in 2018.
Champagne filed for reelection earlier this month.
Terms are for three years. Filing deadline is February 12.
Bond Advisory Committee Continues Work
The board heard a presentation on its Community Bond Advisory Committee, which is assessing district needs with the expectation of putting a bond referendum on the May 1 ballot.
The committee met the past two Wednesday evenings. Its final meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. January 27 at the district’s Merrell Center. Meetings are open for the public to observe, with social distancing and facial coverings enforced.
Voters last approved bond for $609 million in 2017.
Other Actions Taken
In other action Tuesday, the board:
- Approved the superintendent’s annual evaluation.
- Recognized the Katy Independent School District Council of Parent Teacher Association’s Book Donation in Honor of School Board Recognition Month.
- Received a City of Katy Proclamation in Honor of School Board Recognition Month.
- Heard a presentation, and held a public hearing on, the 2019-2020 Annual Report to include the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR).
- Received the 2021-2022 Budget Update.
- Approved the November 2020 Financial Reports.
- Approved the January 2021 budget amendments.
- Approved portable classroom buildings for five campuses: Paetow High School, Adams Junior High School, Bryant Elementary School, Leonard Elementary School, and McElwain Elementary School.
- Awarded a contract for design services for the construction of Elementary School #44.
- Approved two Missed Day Waivers for Cinco Ranch Junior High School and West Memorial Elementary School. Under the waivers, if some, but not all, campuses in a district must close for health or safety reasons, the closed campuses will not have to make up the missed instructional day, though the Texas Education Agency.
- Adopted a resolution providing an extension of time to use sick leave in accordance with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
- Approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Houston for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program. Under the agreement, the Katy ISD Police would assign a detective presently working Internet crimes against children cases to a Houston Police Department grant-funded position, and then replace the open position with another officer.
- Approved the annual financial audit report.
- Approved the December 2020 Board meeting minutes.
- Received the district’s quarterly investment report.
- Received items donated to the district.