In its regular meeting at 6301 S. Stadium Lane in Katy on September 23, the Katy ISD board of trustees approved the adoption of the proposed 2024-2025 tax rate, which will be $1.1171. Chief Financial officer Chris Smith said that the rate breaks down to $0.7271 for maintenance and operations and $0.39 for debt service and represents a $0.0023-cent reduction in the rate over the prior year.

The board also approved the naming of a portion of the track facility at Cinco Ranch High School after the late track and field coach Gary Derks. Derks’ daughter Brittany Coker accepted the honor on behalf of the family. Derks, who passed away in 2016, coached in the Houston area for over 30 years, according to his obituary.

Via consent agenda, the board approved items discussed during the prior week’s work study meeting:

· Approval for the superintendent to form naming committees to name the two new elementary schools.

· Design approvals for renovations and expansions at several campuses, including the Show Center, Bear Creek Elementary School, Pattison Elementary School, Hutsell Elementary School and the Behavioral Learning Center at Merchant Way which will house special education students.

Students from Seven Lakes High School were recognized during the evening for various accomplishments:

· The Seven Lakes High School trumpet quintet performed the national anthem.

· Seven Lakes High School student Allan Xu was recognized for winning the 6A singles state championship in tennis.

· Seven Lakes High School UIL Academic Team was honored for winning a State Championship, which district officials said was only the second such win since 2007.

Of the seven speakers who spoke during the public comments session on non-agenda items, three spoke against the transgender book ban previously enacted by the board, one spoke on proposed rezoning in the northwest quadrant of the district, one spoke on behalf of teachers and their paperwork workload, among other topics.

The next meetings of the board are scheduled as follows:

· October 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. – Team building (location to be announced)

· October 21, work study meeting

· October 28, regular board meeting