|
Katy Citizen Watchdog$ |
|
We’re Taxpayers. It’s Our Money. |
|
Growth Continues To Challenge Katy School District/Educators Add Buildings, Upgrade Programs, Classes |
|
DISTRICT DIVERSITY
White : 50.8 percent, [77.5 percent] Hispanic : 29.7 percent, [13.3 percent] Black: 9.6 percent, [4.8 percent] Asian Pacific Islander: 9.7 percent, [4.3 percent] For the past decade, an average of 3,000 students has enrolled in the Katy Independent School District each year — making it one of the fastest-growing in Texas. From 1998 to 2008, the district has transformed from a small, homogenous and predominantly white school system to one that is sprawling and increasingly cosmopolitan. The 181-square-mile district has made advancements in sports, technology, fine arts and other areas to keep pace with demands. The district will open four new schools in the fall to relieve crowding and to make room for new students. On the north side of Interstate 10, an elementary will open at the Morton Ranch High School/Junior High School complex at 2502 N. Mason Road, and a junior high at Greenhouse at 3900 Dayflower Drive. South of the Katy Freeway, the district will open an elementary in Seven Meadows at 23720 Seven Meadows Parkway, and a junior high in WoodCreek Reserve at 1801 WoodCreek Bend Lane. Katy Superintendent Alton Frailey said growth does not come without some significant challenges. Frailey, who came on board in 2007, said he is focused on accommodating growth while maintaining core values for the education of the district's students. Biggest challenges "The biggest challenge will always be to maintain a community identity that is familiar to residents who have been here, as well as to preserve the characteristics of a top quality school district that has, and continues to, attract families to Katy," Frailey said. Frailey said the image Katy has earned "did not just appear out of the sky." "My biggest concern is whether those moving here are able to appreciate what has gone into making Katy a quality district; if they want quality to remain, they inherit a responsibility," Frailey said. His duty will be to provide the high level of services and maintain high ratings expected by parents. "I believe that with a strong harmonious sense of community and personal commitment pervading the majority of our neighbors — old and new — no amount of growth will be beyond our capacity to handle," Frailey said. Frailey said as long as people who move to the district adopt values that place a high importance on academic achievement, Katy will maintain its favorable reputation. "If, however, a significant portion of our community is comprised of those who have moved here to enjoy what has been created, but who choose to not participate in sustaining our community, we should expect greater challenges to preserve our academic performance," he said. 10 years of growth When classes began last year, 53,000 students were enrolled. By August, the district projects an enrollment of 57,000. The district will also see the most diverse group of students in terms of ethnicity since its founding about 100 years ago. According to 2007-08 district data, Katy's ethnic make up is 50.8 percent white, 29.7 percent Hispanic, 9.6 percent black, 9.7 percent Asian Pacific Islander and less than 1 percent Native American. Compared to 1997-98, when Texas Education Agency data shows the district's 28,230 students were 77.5 percent white, 13.3 percent Hispanic, 4.8 percent black, 4.3 percent Asian Pacific Islander and less than 1 percent Native American. If the trends continues, minority students will outnumber white students within the next year or two. Students come from nearby Parents from neighboring districts are enrolling students in Katy ISD in droves, according to district presentations. "We've done new enrollment surveys in the past and have found that approximately 40 percent of new enrollments come from the Houston area," said Steve Stanford, district spokesman. "People choose Katy ISD because of our reputation of being a quality district." Twenty-eight percent of new pupils come from out of state, while 16 percent move within the district and 12 percent are from other parts of the state. Building new facilities In 1997-98 the district had 28,230 students housed in 25 traditional schools — 16 elementary schools, six junior high schools and three high schools along with an alternative school and a career technology center. In 2008-09, Katy will have 49 traditional campuses with 31 elementary schools, 12 junior high schools and six high schools. By 2015, demographers project that Katy will have about 87,000 pupils. Budget keeps pace As the district has continued to grow, so has its revenue. During the 1997-98 school year, revenues totaled $156.8 million. By 2007-08, revenues had more than doubled to $379.9 million. Katy ISD has spent since 1997 about $573 million on construction projects including additions, furniture, equipment, technology and related architectural and engineering fees, Stanford said. Growth is not only driving a surge in classroom construction but also causing the district to expand programs and develop additional programs. Athletics The rising enrollments have a significant effect at the high school level where in January, Katy's sixth high school Seven Lakes was moved into the Class 5A University Interscholastic League category. This will be the first season in Class 5A for the school, which competed its first two years in Class 4A. The cutoff enrollment for Class 5A schools this year increased from 1,985 to 2,085. Seven Lakes enrollment at the start of last year was 1,532 according to UIL figures, but now exceeds 2,300. In the athletic arena, Katy ISD will be its own UIL sports district and its teams will compete against each other. Katy teams formerly competed in UIL districts including teams from Alief, Klein, Cy-Fair and Spring Branch school districts. Technology Ten years ago, it was bulky desktop computers and heaps of paper. Today, its sleek laptops, flat-panel televisions and sophisticated student management and curriculum management programs. Students make use of computer databases where they can research science, history, English and other subjects online instead of using paper files. In 2002, the district contracted with Xpediant to implement various technology projects and develop specialized programs. Katy has been at the forefront of educational technology in Texas for several years, according to district presentations. KISD has received recognition from industry specialists such as the CEO Forum for being on the cutting edge when school districts were just beginning to upgrade their systems. Founded in 1996, the CEO Forum on Education and Technology annually assessed progress for five years toward integrating technology into American classrooms. Last year, Katy went districtwide with a visitor-tracking system. In addition, parents can check grades online, keep up with district news through E-News and receive messages through an automated-calling system. Fine Arts Executive Director of Fine Arts Bob Bryant said as the district continues to open more schools, the demand to maintain the quality of arts education programs has increased. "We are receiving students from literally all over the world, adding fine arts teachers and providing the necessary equipment/instruments and supplies for the courses," Bryant said. He said the district recognizes the importance of developing and maintaining a quality fine arts program as it grows. He estimates that approximately 17,000 students or about 61 percent of those enrolled in grades sixth through 12th are involved in art, band, choir, orchestra, theater and dance. All elementary pupils are enrolled in arts education classes and taught by certified art and music specialists.
|
|
Helen Eriksen, Houston Chronicle |
|
Date: 03/12/2008 |
