Katy Independent School District’s board of trustees met on Monday, August 19 for a work-study meeting in the boardroom at 6301 S. Stadium Drive in Katy. Fourteen speakers signed up to speak during public comments but only 11 of those spoke – all on one single agenda item – potential revisions to “EFB local,” a local board policy which concerns library materials.

The proposed revision to the policy is the insertion of this text: “No materials in elementary and junior high libraries shall contain material adopting, promoting or supporting gender fluidity as defined in Local Policy FA. Material in any high school library collection that adopts, supports or promotes gender fluidity requires parental opt-in for student access.” A second new section of the policy – dealing with on-campus book fairs -- was drafted as follows: “All vendors selected by the District shall adhere to the District's library guidelines and Board Policy. This includes vendors and fundraisers selected for book fairs or the distribution of literature.”

The 11 speakers were almost evenly divided in favor of and against the proposed change, with six opposed and five in favor. LGBTQ+ activist and Katy native Cameron Samuels, who has organized nationally recognized efforts against book banning, was present at the meeting but did not speak during public comments.

The board discussed the issue as the last agenda item of the evening, but the matter was a discussion item only and was not voted on in this meeting. Trustee Dawn Champagne asked why the policy was needed, stating that the matter was already covered under board policy FA local and that an additional revision would be redundant. Board president Victor Perez said the revision to the policy was needed since FA local only deals with classroom instructional materials while EFB local deals specifically with library materials. Both Champagne and board member Rebecca Fox questioned Perez about the release of the board agenda item on social media over the weekend by Perez’ wife, Karen. Perez said that the matter was a misunderstanding and that he thought that the agenda had been made public on Friday. Board members discussed how books are removed from KISD libraries and how the proposed new policy would be enforced with vendors and other procedural issues. Fox asked, “Are we done with this yet?” and said that she has heard lots of feedback on the book issue and that it is dividing the community, calling it “a hornet’s nest, it’s political” and “it’s making people angry on both sides.” Perez disagreed that it was a political matter. Fox called for the board to focus on academics and to include academic programs and updates as part of each board meeting agenda, suggesting that the first program cover the Miller Career Center.

The board also heard from KISD CFO Chris Smith on the proposed tax rate and the budget for the coming 2024-2025 school year. Smith said that the tax rate would hold steady at $0.7271 cents for general/M&O and $0.39 for I&S (interest and sinking). Smith also said that planning for the next budget cycle would begin as early as October and would include closely monitoring all expenditures; planning for growth in staffing and operations; and the opening of two new campuses

(elementary schools 47 and 48). Smith said that while the State legislature will be going into session in January, that would not bring budgetary relief to the district since any changes in state funding would likely not be approved until May and would not take effect before July. “We have to plan under current law,” he said.

Lisa Kassman, KISD executive director of facilities, planning, and construction, together with representatives from VLK Architects, presented design plans for the renovations planned at Katy High School, 6331 Highway Blvd. in Katy, for the band and orchestra building and the vocational hall. The band building was originally built in 1952 and “it’s time,” said the VLK representative. Improvements to the building will include the addition of a loading dock, an exterior restroom for the convenience of tennis athletes who practice nearby, improved instrument storage, new large and small practice rooms and a new mud room. A new display case will hold trophies and historical artifacts. A new 64-space parking lot will accommodate parking spaces removed during construction. Completion date for the project is December 2025.

The V-hall, which houses engineering, architecture, digital art, and medical prep classes, will increase from 12 to 16 classrooms and will have an improved maker space and a suite of computer labs. It is slated for completion in July 2025.

Cimarron Elementary at 1100 S. Peek in Katy and Nottingham Elementary at 20500 Kingsland Blvd. in Katy will be renovated to include improved security measures at the front entrances, lobbies and administrative offices and will include public restrooms accessible from the lobby. The Nottingham Country Elementary project will also include remodeling of the school’s “open concept” library, installing glass walls in order to provide greater security with the ability to lock down the area if necessary, and to reduce noise levels in the area. The projects are scheduled for completion in July 2025.

The next meeting of the board – a regular board meeting – will be August 26.