The Leadership Circle Award spotlights cities, counties, school districts and other special districts across the state that: open their books to the public; provide clear, consistent pictures of spending; and share information in a user-friendly format that lets taxpayers easily access additional information.
District Launches Attendance Boundary Modification Process
KATY – During the October 24 Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Pat Guseman, president of Population and Survey Analysts (PASA), presented the 2011 Demographic Update that shows steady growth for Katy ISD, at a rate of approximately three percent each year over the next five years. While slightly slower than the rapid growth experienced between 2001 and 2009, the report shows approximately 23,000 additional students moving to the district during the next 10 years.
The district also announced today that as part of the Long Range Facilities Plan process, Katy ISD has entered into the initial stages of the Attendance Boundary Modification (ABM) process.
KATY -Katy ISD officials announced today that it would bring to the Board of Trustees at the July 18 work study meeting a proposal to add back to the 2011-12 budget 214 out of 267 teaching positions that were reduced as part of the campus staffing plan approved by the Board of Trustees in April.
In addition, some of the items that were proposed to be cut, but will be added back to the budget include the elimination of transportation not reimbursed by the state; the increase in ticket prices for athletic events by $1; and the reduction of elementary principals and their secretaries to 11-month contracts. Also, in previous action, the board approved adding back a second assistant band director at each of the high schools.
KATY ISD - At its work study meeting on Monday night, the Katy ISD Board of Trustees approved the resignations or termination of probationary employee contracts for more than 300 district employees. The layoffs are the result of the expected shortfall of a projected $50 million in state funding.
By law, Texas school districts must notify contract employees 45 days prior to the last day of instruction, which is April 19 for Katy ISD. Three Hundred Fifty employees with Chapter 21 Probationary Contracts were notified last week that their employment with the district will be terminated after their 2010-11 contract ends. However, the district has received additional voluntary resignations and retirements, reducing the total number of layoffs to 314.
With school back in session, Katy ISD law enforcement officers are out. Katy ISD PD Chief Mark Hopkins wants to remind parents and driving-age students to turn off their cell phones and slow down when passing through one of Katy ISD’s numerous school zones.
Texas House Bill 55, which went into effect Sept. 1, 2009, prohibits the use of wireless devices within a school crossing school. Additionally, House Bill 2730 and House Bill 339, recently enacted by the 81st Texas Legislature, restricts all drivers under the age of 18 from using a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.
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At the Nov. 15 public workshop, the district will review the 2011 Demographic Update, as well as the assumptions, values and data that will be used in creating a preliminary attendance boundary recommendation for the three new elementary schools and new junior high opening in August 2012. Specific attendance boundary recommendations will not be presented at this first meeting. Community members can also provide feedback on the values and assumptions online.
KATY -As part of the reductions aimed at making up the $27 million shortfall in state funding in the 2011-12 budget, the district began the process earlier today of notifying approximately 70 non-campus based employees that their positions will be cut.
Approximately 176 positions will be cut as part of this action. The number of staff members actually impacted is lower than the number of positions cut due to vacancies already created due to attrition. The affected positions are in central office administrative and professional staff, non-campus based paraprofessional staff, and maintenance and custodial personnel. In addition, individuals whose positions are cut will be eligible to interview for positions that may exist at the campuses.
Following are the results for the Katy ISD Board of Trustees election.
Position 3 (name in bold denotes winner)
Chris Crockett Bill ProctorStarting Tuesday, 350 employees with Chapter 21 Probationary Contracts will be notified that their employment with the district will be terminated after their 2010-11 contract ends. By law, Texas school districts must notify contract employees 45 days prior to the last day of instruction, which is April 19 for Katy ISD.
KATY ISD - Katy ISD community members will have an opportunity to purchase Katy ISD bonds Wednesday, Dec. 1 and Thursday, Dec. 2, as the first bonds are sold from the $459 million bond authorization that was approved by voters this past November.
A total of$204,855,000 in bondswill be sold in$5,000 denominations including$43,705,000 in Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, Series 2010-C; $155,000,000 in Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, Series 2010-D (Build America Bonds – Direct Payment to Issuer); and $6,150,000 in Limited Tax Refunding Bonds, Series 2010-E.
At the regularly scheduled meeting last night of the Katy ISD Board of Trustees, it was announced that the district administration has been charged with bringing forth a framework for the formation of a citizens group to serve as a bond oversight committee.
