A $748 million bond referendum could be up for voter approval in November if the Katy ISD board of trustees decides to place the item on the ballot.

A 227-member committee spent more than four months analyzing various projects before recommending the bond package. The proposal, presented during a July 21 board meeting, includes provisions for new campuses, district-wide renovations, and technology updates.

Katy ISD, which has about 70,000 students, is growing at a rate of 3,000 new students each year, according to demographic firm Population Survey Analysts. Moderate growth scenarios project the district will have 94,000 students by 2023.

"You've seen the reports about the growth, you [can see it] driving down the Grand Parkway and turning west on Cinco Ranch or Fry Road," Superintendent Alton Frailey said.

The proposed bond package includes provisions for several new facilities to keep up with student growth, including one new high school, two junior high schools, three elementary schools and designs for three future elementary schools. If the bond passes, 8,890 new seats would be created in KISD, committee chairman Keith Carmichael said.

The bond package also calls for a second stadium and associated infrastructure, which would cost $58 million to construct and feature 12,000 seats, a press box, restrooms, concessions, a field house and 4,000 parking spots. KISD's 2013 bond package, which did not receive voter approval last November, also included provisions for a second stadium. However, the price tag for the stadium is about $20,000 less this year, Carmichael said.

Six KISD campuses would see major renovations if the bond passes, including Mayde Creek High School, Memorial Parkway Junior High, and Memorial Parkway, Cimarron, Golbow and Pattison elementary schools.

Technology upgrades, facility expansions, safety and security improvements and minor renovations are among several other items included in the bond package.

If the proposal passes there could be a 1-cent property tax increase, which would amount to a $20 annual increase for a home valued at $200,000. The district's tax rate has remained at $1.5266 since the 2007–08 school year. Residents 65 and older would be exempt from any school tax increase.

"I've seen [Katy] grow in leaps and bounds in a way a Taylor High School graduate never thought possible," board member Ashley Vann said. "It shows why my husband and I came back and this is the one place we decided to raise our family. I think this will help with Katy's growth."

If the board decides to call for a November election, the latest it can do so is Aug. 18. For more details on the proposed bond referendum, see Community Impact Newspaper's Aug. 28 edition.