Katy ISD welcomed back 81,500 students and 10,000 staff members across its 70 campuses Aug. 14.

“It’s always exciting on that first day of school to see the kids come back,” Superintendent Ken Gregorski said before opening the doors to the district’s newest elementary school, Olga Leonard Elementary School, at 2602 Winchester Ranch Trail, Katy.

The school’s namesake greeted the 650 students and their parents at the new campus. Leonard said she was happy to be back at school interacting with students after almost nine years of retirement.

Leonard first taught at KISD in 1985 and helped to expand multiculturalism as well as bilingual and dual-language programs at the district through her work as a teacher, principal and administrator.

“It’s incredible; it’s overwhelming; it’s an honor,” Leonard said about having a school named after her.

KISD also welcomed about 1,300 students at the new Joe Adams Junior High School at 4141 Cross Creek Bend Lane, Fulshear. Both Leonard Elementary and Adams Junior High were paid for through the $609.2 million bond program approved by voters in 2017.

“Hats off to our voters who approved that last 2017 bond, who made this possible for our kids in this community,” Gregorski said.