Bond committee reviewing data and likely projects for a bond package expected this fall

Contributed and Staff Reports
Posted 4/13/23

A Katy ISD Community Bond Advisory Committee is reviewing over 55 possible projects and their associated costs for a bond issue that is expected to be put before district voters in the November election.

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Bond committee reviewing data and likely projects for a bond package expected this fall

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A Katy ISD Community Bond Advisory Committee is reviewing over 55 possible projects and their associated costs for a bond issue that is expected to be put before district voters in the November election.

The committee held its second meeting April 5, where it considered proposed school renovation projects, new campus needs and safety and technology improvements across the district.

Lisa Kassman, the district’s facilities, planning and construction executive director, said four new schools are recommended for a 2023 bond. Of these four new recommended schools, Kassman said three would be elementary and the fourth would be a junior high. She said the recommendation is based on demographic assessments of the district’s ongoing growth.

Committee members also reviewed campus renovation needs such as chiller, flooring, lighting, mechanical and electrical systems, and plumbing replacements at various campuses.

Committee members also reviewed the district’s financial capacity for a new bond, highlighting a desire for any potential bond package to reflect no tax rate increase.

At its first meeting, held March 29, committee members reviewed current and future enrollment projections, long-range facilities plans and the district’s financial capacity.

At the meeting, officials from Population and Survey Analysts (PASA), a demographics firm, described the growth in the Katy area. The growth is mainly in the northwest quadrant of the district, where communities are under development.

Kris Pool, PASA planning director, said moderate growth scenarios project a student enrollment of over 100,000 students by 2027, and nearly 10,000 more students by 2032.

Ted Vierling, the district’s chief operating officer, said the district grew by 12,940 students between 2016-21. Of the local and area districts, Lamar CISD had the second-largest student population growth during that same period, with 8,750 new students. Conroe grew by 7,997 and Humble grew by 6,888 students during that time, Vierling said.

Committee members also reviewed Katy ISD’s long-range facilities plan which has guided the district through more than nine bonds the Katy community has passed since 1994.

Kassman said the plan documented every facility in the district. It also documented the life expectancies for each building’s mechanical and plumbing systems, roofs and interior finishes. She said addressing these needs was a priority to maintain building integrity.

Katy voters approved the last bond placed before them, in May 2021, for $676.2 million. The bond included the construction of five schools, along with renovations and safety and technology upgrades to other campuses.

Voters approved the previous bond in November 2017 for $609.2 million. That bond provided for the construction of six new schools, along with renovations and safety and technology upgrades to other campuses.

The committee was scheduled to meet April 12, after press time, to focus on selected projects for a possible bond package. The committee’s final meeting is set for April 18.

Katy ISD, bond, bond committee