The Katy ISD board of trustees held its November regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 21. Throughout the roughly 30-minute session, the group unanimously approved a 12-item consent agenda from its Nov. 14 work study meeting and discussed several other initiatives. Superintendent Lance Hindt and all board members—with the exception of Treasurer Bryan Michalsky—were in attendance. Here are the key takeaways from the meeting.

Legislative priorities

KISD's Legislative Priorities Advisory Committee presented its official recommendations to the board. The four priorities include increased funding for state mandates, equitable accountability and transparency for all state-funded schools, streamlined Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills—also known as TEKS—and the removal of the state's 8.5 percent cap for students receiving special education services. The board is expected to take action on the recommendations at its Dec. 5 workshop. Hindt said he is proud of the LPAC for coming up with a concise list of priorities to present to legislators prior to the next legislative session that begins in January. "Less is best where we can put our emphasis on those things that are truly important to this community," Hindt said.

First deputy superintendent hired at KISD

The district named Ken Gregorski as its first deputy superintendent after approving the new position Oct. 24. Gregorski previously worked in KISD from 1998-2009 and most recently served as the assistant superintendent for Allen ISD. Gregorski will serve as the district's chief administrator in Hindt's absence and work as the head liaison between several different campuses and departments. He said he is eager to return to KISD. "One of the best things about Katy [ISD] is the leadership," Gregorski said. "I'm just looking forward to getting back and working with those principals and teachers again [and] doing what we can at central office to support them."

Second stadium

The Second Stadium Naming Advisory Committee presented the board with an update on its progress as it seeks a sponsor for KISD's second football stadium, which is expected to open next fall. A request for proposal—or RFP—was released Sept. 12, and responses were due Oct. 10. Ashley Vann, the committee's vice chair, said negotiations are ongoing with a single, undisclosed candidate. The committee will meet again in early December before providing the board with another update, she said.

Consent agenda

The board unanimously approved a 12-item consent agenda from its Nov. 14 work study meeting. Items of note included 18 course additions for the 2017-18 school year, 10 of which are in the area of career and technical education. The classes include digital audio technology, computer programming for cyber security and manufacturing engineering.

Recognitions

The district handed out six awards as part of the recognitions portion of the meeting. Recognitions included the University of Chicago Outstanding Educator Award (Joseph Michnick, Morton Ranch High School), the Learning Counsel 2016 Top Digital District (KISD Technology Department) and several Texas Music Educators Association orchestra honors.