Katy ISD holds public hearing on federal grant applications totaling roughly $33M in entitlements

KATY, Texas — At a required public hearing Monday, Katy ISD staff outlined the district’s planned 2025–26 federal grant applications and how the entitlements would be used at campuses. Nikki Coy, executive director of federal programs, presented the grant titles, approximate entitlements and typical activities funded by each program: - Title I, Part A (Improving Basic Programs) — entitlement: roughly $13 million; proposed activities include campus tutorial staff, instructional materials, technology and family engagement. - Title II, Part A (Supporting Effective Instruction) — entitlement: roughly $2.2 million; planned uses include professional development, staff salaries, expansion of teacher mentoring and leadership training. - Title III, Part A (English Language Acquisition) — entitlement: roughly $2.0 million for English learners and ~$469,000 for immigrant education; funds for professional development, tutorials and parent centers. - Title IV, Part A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment) — planning amount: ~$967,000 for social workers, dropout‑prevention facilitators and STEM materials. - IDEA‑B (special education) — entitlement: roughly $15 million (plus smaller preschool and deaf/discretionary allocations); funds speech, assessment, therapy services and related staffing. - Perkins V (Career and Technical Education) — entitlement: ~$704,000; supports CTE staffing, equipment and professional learning. - McKinney‑Vento (Education for Homeless Children and Youth) — allocation varies; last year’s funding was about $96,000 and typically supports tutorials, technology and emergency supplies. Coy told trustees that federal planning amounts were largely level with the prior year; she noted some staff funded by federal grants will receive the same state teacher pay increases because district payroll raises apply to employees paid from federal funds and the district will cover its portion out of carryover if necessary. Board members asked clarifying questions about carryover and caps on uses (for example, whether homeless‑student funds can cover transportation). Coy said transportation can be funded but often has limits (she cited caps around 15% in typical guidance) and final entitlements will be confirmed when federal allocations are finalized. Why it matters: federal entitlements fund high‑need programs and staff in Katy ISD campuses that serve students from lower‑income families, English learners, students with disabilities and career‑technical education programs. The hearing is part of federal grant assurances and must precede application submission. Next steps: the district will finalize applications and submit them per federal/TEA timelines; trustees heard no public comments during the hearing.