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Merrell Promotes Bond Election

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With a pivotal bond election on the horizon, Katy ISD superintendent Leonard Merrell made sure that the facts surrounding the election were clear and avoidant (sic) toward any misinterpretation.

Tuesday night, before a crowd of about 40 people, Merrell spoke about the upcoming $261,5 million bond election. He used a vibrant Power Point presentation that gave the people of Katy a visual account of the circumstances.

During his 30-minute presentation at the Chesterfield Club off Mason Road, Merrell made sure to embrace the concept and discuss the significance of the bond's potential effect on the ever-growing city of Katy.

"If you're eligible and live in this district, I just want you to vote," Merrell said. "Information and knowledge about issues is essential and whether you vote 'yes' or 'no,' its' still a vote that is important to us."

Merrell, now in his 11th year as superintendent of KISD, presented facts which implied change is necessary for the district. Covering 181 square miles and educating 47,816 students, KISD ranks first among districts of 45,000+ students, he said.

The district is of average wealth, he said, and operates and maintains 56 facilities covering nine million square feet.

The 2006 bond election three-year proposal combines the following: Construction of new schools for enrollment growth (Katy demographer Pat Gusman projects that the district will boast over 83,000 students by 2015); maintenance and renovation projects at existing campuses (in particular, a ninth grade center for Morton Ranch High School and a natatorium for Mayde Creek High School); and other capital projects.

The election will take place on May 13 and early voting runs through May 1 through 9.

The proposal was initiated when the district updated its Long-Range Facility Plan in 2005. The plan's purpose is to identify the needs for major improvements at existing facilities and needs for new campuses, Merrell said.

The 2006 bond proposal will bring forth three new elementary schools (for a total of 32 in Katy) and two junior highs. The proposal will also introduce greater classroom display technologies, which has been the primary suggestion of improvement among Katy teachers, according to Merrell.

"My philosophy is that the schools belong to the people," Merrell said. "I've always believed that these are the people's schools. The people are the ones who tell us what to do, and my job is to move in the direction of the people."

Merrell spoke of a private survey that was recently taken that enforced the needs of quality in the classroom and the maintenance of educational facilities, which the bond emphasizes. It was noted that the people wanted to see these needs addressed more so than any other when it came to schools.

Of course, the issue does have its opponents.

According to CAPS (Citizens and Parents for Schools), the bond is not appropriate at this time, considering the fact that the district is in debt by $1.5 billion. They also say that new schools are not necessary because the schools that already exist are under capacity.

Nevertheless, Merrell said the bond is still necessary toward accommodating the city's future growth. Merrell's intention is to have KISD schools hold 2,500 to 2,550 students -- not the 3,000 in schools today. He also wants to add two more high schools so that the buildings are not overflowing with students, he said.

"The district that we're in is the fastest growing in all of Harris County, percentage-wise," Merrell said. "Next year alone (the 2006-07 school year), our estimate is that we're going to grow 3,700 students. By 2015, we're projected to be at over 80,000 students, and the build-up for this district is somewhere between 95 and 100 thousand students.

The 2006 bond will be paid through the debt service tax rate and also be partly paid off from future increases in the tax base. Merrell was sure to make clear that the bond will require no increase in the tax rate.

For information regarding the bond issue, the school board will have a meeting addressing the topic tonight at 6:30, at the KISD administration building, south of Katy High School.

 

Dennis L. Silva, II, Katy Courier

Date: 04/19/2006