Katy ISD is getting ready to grow along with its ever-increasing enrollment.
The school district, which now serves more than 70,000 students and is expected to have a student body approaching 100,000 in 10 years, will soon begin construction of six new schools thanks to an influx of $748 million coming from a bond approved by voters Nov. 4.
The bond—which passed with 30,330 voting for it and 24,400 voting against—will also provide funds for major renovations and expansions at many campuses and will ultimately add about 8,890 classroom seats to the school district.
Plans for new schools
At a board of trustees meeting Nov. 17, Peter McElwain, the school district's architect and planner, unveiled plans for four of the six new schools that will be added to the district. School officials approved the plans a week later.
A pair of identical two-story elementary schools—the 38th and 39th inside KISD—are set to open for the start of the 2016 school year. Elementary school No. 38—also known as Cinco Northwest—will be built at the intersection of Horizon Bluff Lane and Westridge Creek Lane. Elementary school No. 39—also known as Ventana—will be built on East Ventana Parkway southwest of the site of the new high school and junior high.
Construction of each elementary school is slated to cost about $28 million.
Plans were also revealed for the district's eighth high school and 15th junior high. The secondary schools will share a campus across an outdoor common area at the intersection of Stockdick School and Peek roads.
Construction costs are estimated at about $157 million for the high school and $45 for the junior high. The campus should open in time for the 2017 school year.
Funds for the design and planning of the four schools came from a surplus of money left over from the 2010 bond. McElwain said those schools will be constructed a year earlier than if the district had to wait to plan for their construction with funds from the bond passed this year.
Trustees have also authorized the bid procedure for construction of junior high No. 14.
