[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6173162,"mediaKeyId","5384271-48cb81da3dfe4f496494f4aa47cf9f3f","parentId",5384271,"title","Katy ISD expands Raines Academy programs, lays groundwork for virtual high school under new state law","audioSeconds",2102,"startMs",1218000,"endMs",3320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5384271-48cb81da3dfe4f496494f4aa47cf9f3f&start=1218&end=3320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5384271-48cb81da3dfe4f496494f4aa47cf9f3f/thumbnail_1218000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6173162/Texas/Katy-ISD-expands-Raines-Academy-programs-lays-groundwork-for-virtual-high-school-under-new-state-law","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173162-32628cbede11f83c33f6767399279a56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137058&Signature=mmN5qBzRZKFHnIGIDSRYDTHBSHnmD9GmaAIK4rxjSMjFzX3FLDZrkFr1Vp31Y8AzTO11kybLc6hRkg75V52C5qq9qTSw0IHWiXOfqXg37VcQ4-~8jXks2737CGEzm6lfX-lFjrkZAqx7cVlayeMjuld8r4Wf3sPVr2h2czrl9wx~LEcJ5T676On2DbGRki3RBtt6576TVRXwoP9aDtu6dXwrSNKWdEKSHfzfrlzlPYf~rzLVx6QrVciZgnIBLBlSWo7HrODYuqdvbqfCWDSJvKgh5Gb9yryOT--tuxHcBr3eabRKGICBM6sDAEnO-BBjKrtJ1Ra4pyNR50zUSk7Jfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Katy ISD, TX","date","2025-06-23T00:00:00Z","article","Katy Independent School District trustees on June 23 heard a detailed update on Raines Academy’s hybrid and career-technical programs and were briefed on district plans to stand up a KISD-run virtual high school under recently passed Senate Bill 569.

The presentation, led by Raines Principal Richard Merriman, described programs that include a commercial driver’s license (CDL) pathway (79 students served across five cohorts), a new water-operations licensing apprenticeship launching fall 2025, a two-year dual-credit real-estate program, and industry-certification opportunities and paid student work experiences across central office and operations departments. “Raines Academy creates innovative learning experiences and provides unparalleled growth opportunities to inspire our students to create a better tomorrow,” Merriman told the board.

District staff and trustees framed the Raines work as part of a larger “complex” that includes Miller Career Center and other CTE facilities. Carrie Sanguinetti, who leads virtual and CTE coordination for the district, told trustees that virtual original-credit coursework “is something we’ve been doing for quite a while in Katy ISD over 10 years” and that the district already runs multiple summer virtual semesters and 37 unique online courses this summer.

Why it matters: leaders said the mix of in-person, hybrid and virtual options is intended to increase student choice and provide direct workforce pathways for students who do not pursue a four-year degree. The board was also warned that Miller Career Center is at capacity: staff reported roughly 3,000 course requests for Miller this year, with roughly 1,950 accepted and about 800 students waitlisted. District planners are evaluating reuse or relocation of the Opportunity Awareness Center (OAC) and options to create a “Miller 2” or other campus expansion to add seats for CTE programs.

Program details and questions from trustees:
- CDL and employer partnerships: Merriman and staff said the program covers the initial cost and training for students (typical private CDL training cited at about $8,000–$10,000) and that the district works to place students in entry-level positions with employers who typically assume insurance costs for young drivers. Merriman gave Waste Management as a district contractor that recently hired a program graduate and said portable credentials such as forklift certification are being added to create stepping-stone opportunities.

- Water-operations apprenticeship: The district plans an apprenticeship tied to a clean- and wastewater certificate with local employers such as Inframark and described shuttling students to worksites for practicum experience.

- Real-estate dual credit: the two-year program is largely virtual and culminates in practicum experiences with local real-estate offices; graduates will be eligible to sit for the Texas real-estate license exam after meeting course requirements.

- Capacity and scheduling: staff said Raines supports 375–450 students at a time and can serve up to 500 in the building, but enrollment fluctuates because graduates may leave midyear after completing requirements. Leslie Hack (strategic design lead) and others said flexible scheduling allows students to take a mix of in-person and asynchronous virtual courses so they need not choose between extracurriculars and career training.

- Apprenticeship expansion and employer outreach: staff described a forthcoming advisory council, employer job fair in August, and coordinated apprenticeship pilots across water operations, CDL and HVAC/construction trades beginning this fall.

State law and a virtual campus: Leslie Hack briefed trustees on Senate Bill 569 — state legislation the district said expands options for districts to offer virtual and hybrid education and supports sustainable funding for those models. Staff outlined two virtual program tracks for 2026–27 planning: (1) a continued “a la carte” model that lets students take individual virtual courses (already in operation) and (2) a full-time KISD virtual high school that would enroll in‑district students (who could retain home-campus extracurricular participation) and out-of-district students under TEA rulemaking and an application process. Carrie Sanguinetti said the district intends to aggregate virtual course demand, support teacher professional development for virtual instruction, and explore out-of-district tuition that could produce revenue if TEA’s application and funding rules permit it.

Board concerns and next steps: trustees pressed staff about insurance and employer uptake for young CDL drivers, the limits on Miller’s capacity, and how the district would prioritize Katy ISD students if demand grows. Staff said district students would receive priority and that TEA rulemaking and an application process will determine final parameters for enrollments and funding; district leaders set an aspirational target to have an application for a virtual campus ready in 2026–27 but emphasized the timeline depends on TEA rules and approvals. Hack told trustees that space decisions — including repurposing or resizing the OAC and adding a Miller 2 campus — would be part of longer-term facilities planning and could require bond or other capital funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Katy ISD Board Meetings Jun 23, 2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","Katy Independent School District trustees on June 23 heard a detailed update on Raines Academy’s hybrid and career-technical programs and were briefed on district plans to stand up a KISD-run virtual high school under recently passed Senate Bill 569.","taxTitle","KATY ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14169,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6173146,"Katy ISD board approves closed‑session real‑property sale and interlocal equipment swap with Bellville",5675,3521000,9196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5384271-48cb81da3dfe4f496494f4aa47cf9f3f&start=3521&end=9196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5384271-48cb81da3dfe4f496494f4aa47cf9f3f/thumbnail_3521000.jpg","/articles/6173146/Texas/Katy-ISD-board-approves-closedsession-realproperty-sale-and-interlocal-equipment-swap-with-Bellville","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173146-5b9ff747a2508790c5b313f48aa98a15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137058&Signature=HUBSV3sRs4j9g-jna7obdqyLh1b9xRSDR3PckC4OaLbDaUDJLaCfMVO0Er8vHqtYzM5wdsvfE4UCToef5YRPq4CdA9PpXCFvQ3FGwLNvXT9fhNlVAYW3kAUIehiTestrnRFGskzBeJXQANIT~cUOkZI2UPSUJa4I2Ql0QURKJDp-ObZRPH9ofhp~CSk8K7KryMx9cmgtJuzNbr2i75I7Xi8QJQ-rygVUYSkIHt2Amzr8LWrRx4tHPLhKc9YQuhcNlvcRTBwt00A0N0zwcVCKj2~c5AqFO5Dx~V2aSfUnwOhVKjOD0suZV9LdimetTbeUL4MBZMWg8X1VHwBS5p0Bpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees approved two separate items on June 23: (1) the sale of real property discussed during a closed session and (2) an interlocal in‑kind equipment swap with the City of Bellville for vehicle K‑9 carrier/partition components.

Sale of real property: Following a closed executive session authorized under Texas Government Code provisions cited on the agenda (551.071, 551.072 and 551.129), Trustee Rebecca Fox moved and Trustee Mary Ellen Kazzella seconded a motion to approve the sale of real property discussed in closed meeting. The board voted and the motion passed unanimously, 7–0. The board noted that any actions arising from the closed meeting must be taken in open session; no additional sale details were disclosed at the time beyond the board vote.

Interlocal equipment swap with Bellville: The board also approved an interlocal agreement to exchange surplus K‑9 carrier equipment. The district said it had a decommissioned kennel/carrier removed from a Tahoe and Bellville Police Department had a partition piece the district could use; the two taxing entities agreed to swap in kind. Trustee Champagne moved the interlocal agreement; the board approved the in‑kind swap on a 6–0 vote. General counsel noted interlocal agreements require board approval under state law when public funds or property are involved.

Why it matters: both votes were routine governance actions but carry administrative and property‑management consequences — the property sale proceeded after required closed‑session review and public vote, and the interlocal swap repurposes existing equipment for public safety use rather than new purchases. The board did not provide further public details about the property sale during open session.","At the June 23 meeting the Katy ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve the sale of real property discussed in a closed executive session and separately authorized an interlocal agreement with the City of Bellville to swap vehicle kennel/partition equipment; the sale vote was unanimous and the in‑kind equipment swap passed 6–0.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6173152,"Post‑election review: Katy ISD reports higher turnout, Secretary of State inspector finds no major irregularities",212,6673000,6885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5384271-48cb81da3dfe4f496494f4aa47cf9f3f&start=6673&end=6885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5384271-48cb81da3dfe4f496494f4aa47cf9f3f/thumbnail_6673000.jpg","/articles/6173152/Texas/Postelection-review-Katy-ISD-reports-higher-turnout-Secretary-of-State-inspector-finds-no-major-irregularities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173152-bc84c1c675752681b7b0e1b7ae1d4497/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137058&Signature=oIzgo~M7WzsP2m8mzIpp4XHKy8LHSoYIQXTVHs-4gcdHHRdKgpHw3GnCjuamPUrxFQu4Y0p5f219aReYQNVEZEvODYB~xMGNsnYiXZStymRTjrLkom19dCDx1j5u3VNltn5dwKCvFyPbgGrxoTHLFdQONElYbzJbzkA4A6BSqtdyPC5S-LbGu8ILJF9FsvYlNZPcyCkxtNw6ss9OBOu0jA283VO4yESbKNsahE6NTKvbSX9WQ3BMfhyVoX0X2OQa5R3TRi4qm2HCLZXEIe34GNmU~XOFw22OqT8tG3MmWwbBeoY2PVj5tKpiqDdudJ5qzvx-uIiYQrvjC0rDcOlMGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Katy ISD General Counsel Justin Graham presented a post‑election review of the May 2025 school board election at the district’s June 23 meeting, reporting turnout of more than 18,000 votes — an increase of roughly 10% from the previous comparable election — and summarizing operational lessons for future elections.

Graham told trustees the district now has about 242,000 registered voters in the Katy ISD area and that the May election benefitted from expanded early-voting opportunities and a partnership that allowed the City of Katy to join the district-run election, which reduced duplicate costs. A Texas Secretary of State inspector observed central count operations and issued a favorable assessment, Graham said: “I did not observe any abnormalities during my time at Katy ISD,” he reported.

Operational highlights and concerns:
- Sites and turnout: Katy ISD used six early-voting sites (five comprehensive high schools plus the Merrill Center) and 13 election‑day precincts. Graham said Peyto High School — a site added recently to serve north-of-99 growth — recorded the lowest early‑vote total (488 votes) and cost the district roughly $5,300 to staff; staff asked whether the board wished to keep that site given low utilization but also noted north-side growth may increase future demand.

- Complex precinct mapping: Graham noted the district crosses three counties (Harris, Fort Bend, Waller) and runs 316 different ballot styles because of ward and precinct splits, adding operational complexity.

- Write‑in handling and timing: a write‑in candidate on the ballot required a manual review of affected ballots and signatures, which delayed some preliminary results on election night; Graham said the staff and temporary procedures handled the load and that the write‑in process is now operationally understood.

- Voter‑convenience rules: trustees asked whether Katy ISD could allow in‑district voters to vote at any site on election day, as some counties do. Graham said that rule (vote‑anywhere on Election Day) is a county-level provision and would require legislative change to apply to the district.

Trustee discussion and next steps: trustees asked staff to evaluate early-voting locations and signage (Peyto’s campus signage was noted as confusing if approached from some directions) and to provide cost and turnout data to guide site choices for future elections. Graham and staff also reinforced the district’s long-standing practice of encouraging early voting to minimize election-day congestion and to improve voter convenience within precinct constraints.

Voice from the meeting: Graham summarized the district’s statutory responsibilities and goals: “...we endeavor as the elections administrator for this district to provide free and fair elections, you know, universal suffrage,” he said. Trustees praised staff for transparent processes and asked for continuing outreach about procedures and site decisions ahead of next year’s election.

No formal policy changes were made at the meeting; trustees asked for follow-up information on early‑vote site utilization and signage and to return to the board with recommendations.","General counsel Justin Graham told trustees the May 2025 school board election saw a roughly 10% increase in turnout to more than 18,000 votes. The district highlighted a successful partnership with the City of Katy, noted logistics and capacity questions for early voting sites, and said a Secretary of State inspector raised no major concerns.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6173158,"Katy ISD board approves 2025–26 compensation plan: teacher pay increases and 3% for other employees",247,5638000,5885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5384271-48cb81da3dfe4f496494f4aa47cf9f3f&start=5638&end=5885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5384271-48cb81da3dfe4f496494f4aa47cf9f3f/thumbnail_5638000.jpg","/articles/6173158/Texas/Katy-ISD-board-approves-202526-compensation-plan-teacher-pay-increases-and-3-for-other-employees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173158-ee7f254fbec3813ada46aa04dffa8097/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137058&Signature=PPCAoQul38nk7tSW8tl8BRETK1EfKPYyFcMB75GO5icPF8a4fsGSbzjsH1Snjd-qOnVwK2bNItSCDIMIApafNrByMUvge61dBtnbUp9EFTtQAJPTG2uiV~-T50rsL4zYkk~-j431Cd10EWVdFvuADaYPFDeZ~uq2Aw6qmlnWb1KVs7f6L4eJw6mry518ePUbBRop4qKgGADrH175nMQmBrxkFSGHxjQ7HeOmVwaibwSTMskqlT~v~3j6hKj4dwSxwJ8ScYIMf6474pvBm2wojKorHV0WelVv9Xj93N39elhhDQ3fZKT354IluciKnRRNezGJsa8WtzWd3ncnYHGo4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the district’s 2025–26 compensation plan on June 23, voting 6–1 to adopt a package that increases classroom teacher pay in tiers and raises compensation for other district employees by 3%.

What the board approved: under the motion that passed, first- and second‑year classroom teachers will receive a $2,500 stipend; third‑ and fourth‑year classroom teachers will receive a $2,500 increase funded through the House Bill 2 teacher retention allotment (TRA); and fifth‑year and beyond classroom teachers will receive a $5,000 increase through the TRA. All other employees will receive a 3% increase measured from the midpoint of their pay grade.

Why it matters: the action implements state-directed and district-funded measures intended to strengthen recruitment and retention as districts across Texas face staffing shortages. Trustees described the plan as a mix of state-directed funding (the TRA allocations) and local compensation strategy intended to maintain competitiveness.

Board debate and a failed amendment: the vote followed an extended public and trustee discussion about an additional “benchmark years of service” lump-sum payment (a multi‑tier bonus for teachers at five‑year milestones) that had been paid last year. Several trustees and public commenters urged the board to continue the lump-sum retention payments; other trustees said such selective one‑time payments create workplace tension and preferred a broad-based pay increase. A motion to include the benchmark lump-sum payments in this year’s plan (and to defer athletic stipend adjustments for later discussion) failed; the final motion that passed implemented the tiered teacher increases and the 3% for non‑classroom staff.

Quoted comments and context: Trustee Mary Ellen Kazzella, advocating to keep the milestone lump-sum payments, said the benchmark payments are “in addition to salary increases that teachers receive” and expressed concern about denying experienced teachers a planned payment. Trustee Rebecca Fox said she opposed selective lump sums on fairness grounds and cautioned that special payments can create “hard feelings” among staff. Trustees also discussed using funds to address support staff pay and the district’s overall budget posture.

Vote: the compensation plan motion passed 6–1. No changes to the district’s salary schedule were adopted outside the items described above at this meeting.","The board voted 6–1 on June 23 to adopt the district’s compensation plan for 2025–26: targeted increases to classroom teachers funded by the state allotment and a 3% midpoint increase for other employees. Trustees debated whether to include a previously offered benchmark lump-sum retention payment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Katy ISD expands Raines Academy programs, lays groundwork for virtual high school under new state law

Katy ISD board approves closed‑session real‑property sale and interlocal equipment swap with Bellville

Post‑election review: Katy ISD reports higher turnout, Secretary of State inspector finds no major irregularities

Katy ISD board approves 2025–26 compensation plan: teacher pay increases and 3% for other employees