During Monday’s regular Board Meeting, the Katy ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve an attendance boundary modification (ABM) for two of the district’s future schools -- Junior High #18 and High School #10 -- as well as areas served by Haskett Junior High, Stockdick Junior High, Paetow High School, and Katy High School. This ABM would address the rapid growth within the neighborhoods surrounding those campuses. The new ABM will go into effect for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Katy ISD annually reviews its attendance boundaries to ensure the district is adequately addressing its fast growth, as well as student and staff capacity at schools. The district surveyed the families who were identified as potentially impacted by the boundary modifications.

Currently, the northwest quadrant of Katy ISD is experiencing increased growth due to several new housing developments and businesses coming to the area. Both Junior High #18 and High School #10 are located in this quadrant and are scheduled to open in the fall of 2024.

To view the final ABM modifications, visit the Katy ISD ABM website at katyisd.org/domain/.

Christopher J. Smith, Chief Financial Officer at Katy ISD announced that the district has achieved an exemplary "A" rating for "Superior Achievement" in the Texas Schools FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas). The district has earned this distinction for 21 consecutive years.

The FIRST rating signifies the district's dedication to transparent, efficient, and accountable financial practices. In this year's evaluation, Katy ISD excelled by meeting all critical indicators and amassing an impressive 98-point score in the process, district officials said.

The Texas Schools FIRST program, established in response to Senate Bill 875 of the 76th Texas Legislature in 1999 and amended under House Bill 5 of the 83rd Texas Legislature, is a financial accountability system for Texas school districts. Its primary goal is to ensure that school districts excel in managing their financial resources.

"Katy ISD has grown exponentially since the inception of the Texas Schools FIRST rating. To consistently earn a 'Superior Achievement' rating every year while experiencing tremendous growth across the district is something we are especially proud of,” said Smith. “This accomplishment signifies that our district is not only dedicated to student learning but is also adept at achieving these results cost-effectively and efficiently, making the most of our taxpayers' hard-earned dollars.”

The board twice went into closed session, consulting with legal counsel on personnel matters. Following the first closed session, the board voted 5-0 to recommend sending notice of proposed mid-contract termination of a probationary contract employee, West Memorial Elementary teacher Colleen Colca, for good cause. During the second closed session, the board considered a Level Three DGBA grievance regarding employee Marilyn Huon.

In other actions, the board:

· Heard an update on the Strategic Design Elementary Literacy program.

· Was introduced to LaTwanda Wilson, who has been appointed as the new principal of Robert E. King Elementary. Her official start date will be Monday, November 27, 2023.

· Witnessed the swearing in of new KISD police officer Xoco Thomas.

Future board meetings will occur:

· Board work study meeting on November 6th

· Regular board meeting on November 13th