Katy ISD teachers press board on planning time compliance and ask for equitable pay increases

A Katy ISD fourth‑grade teacher and union member told the Board of Trustees on Jan. 27 that the district is not providing required planning time under Texas Education Code section 21.204 and urged the board to take steps to restore that time for teachers.

"The district is out of compliance with Texas Education Code section 21.204 which mandates appropriate planning time for educators," said Dana Watson, identifying herself as a fourth‑grade teacher and a member of the Katy AFT union. Watson said her planning time is routinely taken away, forcing her to work before or after school and causing exhaustion that affects her family and classroom preparation.

Watson asked the board to "actively support the emotional well‑being of your teachers," saying adequate in‑day planning time is essential for teachers to prepare lessons and remain mentally healthy.

Separately, public commenter Marcy Sable asked trustees to authorize the superintendent to administer an equitable pay increase for all employees when funds become available. Sable cited long‑term institutional service through events such as Hurricane Harvey and the COVID‑19 emergency response and urged the board to ensure no employee is left behind when raises are allocated.

The transcript records these public comments during the open‑forum portion of the meeting. No board action, motion or staff directive on planning time or compensation was recorded in the Jan. 27 meeting minutes. Watson said teachers first raised the planning‑time concern to the board in December 2024 and have seen no improvement.

Trustees did not announce follow‑up steps during the meeting; any staff response or formal action would appear on a future agenda.