Katy ISD board of trustees calls for May school bond election

More than $675 million worth of new facilities, renovations to existing campuses and other notable upgrades for Katy ISD schools could be on the horizon should voters support a 2021 bond package in May.

The Katy ISD board of trustees at a special meeting Feb. 8 unanimously voted to call for a May school bond election after hearing a recommendation for the bond package from KISD Chief Communications Officer Andrea Grooms, who presented on behalf of the Katy ISD community bond advisory committee.

The committee met several times in recent weeks to discuss the rapid student growth occurring in the district and consider recommending the May bond referendum. At the members’ final meeting Jan. 27, they showed their overwhelming support and voted to recommend four bond propositions to the board.

If all of the propositions are approved by voters in May, the overall bond package would fund more than 400 campus and facility projects, officials said, including five new schools and a transportation facility, renovations or additions for seven existing campuses, safety and security improvements, technology upgrades and more.

The bond includes no change to the tax rate.

Board member Dawn Champagne said she was impressed with the time and effort that both the bond advisory committee and district staff had put into preparing the bond package and was anxious for the election.

“I can tell that a lot of work has been done on this, and I really appreciate that,” she said.

Superintendent Ken Gregorski said after the meeting that while he expected the board to call for the bond election, he was thankful for their support.

“I do appreciate their vote tonight in favor of moving this bond forward,” he said.

The next step, Gregorski said, is encouraging voters to get informed before they head to the polls. Residents can learn more about the bond package by visiting www.katyisd.org/sites/bonds.

Early voting for the May election begins April 19.