The new school, located at 7402 Katy Hockley Cut Off Road, welcomed more than 940 students through its doors on the first day of the 2025-26 school year Aug. 13, with capacity to accommodate up to 1,386 as the community continues to expand, officials said.
What’s in a name
The school is named after longtime KISD educators Alfred and Ann Boudny, who Principal Felicia Ashabranner said were deeply involved in the school's development, participating through events, relationships with the staff and acting as grandparents to many.
She said their legacy lives on in the culture of the campus, where the motto is to “lead with kindness, learn with heart, and trailblaze together.”
A new chapter
Ashabranner said the outdoor park, a gift from local developer Elyson, and preserved trees donated by the Freeman family, who owned the land prior to KISD’s purchase, reflect the school’s commitment to honoring both nature and neighborhood roots.
In response to growing concerns over school safety, Superintendent Ken Gregorski said Boudny Elementary is one of the latest campuses to receive Fliplock safety devices on classroom doors, a district-wide measure approved by the board in April to provide reinforcements to already-locked doors in case of an intruder.
“That is an additional measure that we have in the classroom that’s really going to calm parents,” Ashabranner said.
Zooming out
Amid a national teacher shortage, Gregorski said teacher retention and recruitment remain top priorities for the district. KISD launched its alternative certification program last year, training 80 new teachers, seven of whom were hired directly at Boudny Elementary.
“One of the things we wanted to tackle was retaining, recruiting [and] keeping teachers,” he said. “The field is shrinking.”
Gregorski added that due to the passage of House Bill 2, experienced teachers across the district received raises—$5,000 for those with five or more years of experience and $2,500 for teachers with three to four years of service.
For teachers not included in the legislation, trustees approved district-supplemented pay raises from $64,130 to $66,180 for new teachers and $500 annual stipends for first- and second-year teachers through May 2027.
Moving forward
With a foundation rooted in kindness, innovation and community connection, Ashabranner said Boudny Elementary staff seek to set a new standard for elementary education in KISD amid a growing educational landscape.
“I’m just so thankful that they’re trusting me to send their kids to Boudny, because they do have choices,” she said.
