The addition of high school No. 7 has led Katy ISD officials to consider building a second football stadium and an agriculture complex. Scheduling conflicts and overcrowding are a few issues board members feel justify the additions.
At the May board meeting, an operations update outlined details on both projects, including a rough timeline. If the projects seem feasible to the board, the board could call for a November bond election.
"I have always said there is nothing better than a Friday night football game that brings people together," said Debbie Decker, executive director of athletics. "At Katy ISD we enjoy gathering the community, and we appreciate their support."
The stadium, she said, would also benefit the marching band, cheerleading and dance programs.
Katy ISD is the only Houston area school district with more than six varsity football teams to have only one stadium, according to an operations presentation given to the board in May. A second stadium would allow for more Friday night games and homecomings, said district spokesman Steve Stanford.
"All the users of the stadium have come together, and our basic program needs have been put down on paper," Decker said.
The agriculture complex will join the existing seven barns on Katy Hockley Road and will be built in phases. The final product will include a covered pavilion—larger than the current, multiple classroom environments, a covered arena, a pond to be used by science classes, horticulture areas and more barns.
"The FFA and agriculture programs in Katy ISD have such a long story and tradition, and they have grown to have so many students involved that our facility, [the L.D. Robinson Pavilion], just cannot hold them," said Rhonda Ward, executive director of secondary curriculum and instruction.
A new arena and pavilion will help students during the annual livestock show because by placing a new pavilion next to the barns, it eliminates the hassle of transporting animals.
In late June, a committee was formed of community members and district representatives to discuss the potential amenities and needs for the stadium, and an additional committee will be formed for the agriculture complex.
"This is not a district personnel decision, this is a serious community commitment, and we want to make sure all users have their voices heard ," Ward said.
If approved, the stadium and agriculture complex will be open for the 2015–16 school year.
Design and construction costs cannot be determined until a design is finalized. In July the board will consider approving an architect to draft a design, and in August it will consider approving it as well as calling for a November bond election.