Katy ISD has updated its disciplinary guidelines regarding motorized vehicles.
At a July 27 meeting, the Katy ISD board of trustees approved including language regarding motorized vehicles to the district’s safety guidelines and expectations for its 2026-27 discipline management plan and student code of conduct.
The details
Students transporting themselves to and from school must use authorized methods of transportation, with e-bikes being allowed if operated appropriately, Director of Student Affairs Sherri Ashorn said. The district’s discipline management plan defines an e-bike as having pedals to operate and cannot exceed 20 to 28 mph.
Unauthorized vehicles for students to operate on campus include, but are not limited to:
- All-terrain vehicles
- Off-highway vehicles
- Electric motorcycles
- Electric mini-bikes
- Pocket bikes
- Similar high powered motorized devices
Students must adhere to all traffic laws on school property and can not park or use vehicles that are not permitted under state law.
How we got here
Initial discussions at a July 20 work study meeting highlighted the overall rise in unlicensed motorized vehicles.
“It’s not a Katy ISD problem, it is just absolutely out of control,” board member Nathan Shipley said.
However, Superintendent Ken Gregorski said there is a difference between an electric scooter and an e-bike with pedals. He clarified the district already had bans in place for certain unlicensed motorized vehicles.
“We’ve just got to get a better definition and get our mind wrapped around these electronic motorcycles that are unlicensed and not supposed to be there,” Gregorski said.
Moving forward
Katy ISD officials said both individual campuses and the district will work on communicating the added language to parents to make them aware of the changes.
Schools have the authority to enforce additional, campus-specific rules pertaining to motorized vehicles, Ashorn said.
