Texas / School Districts / KATY ISD
Dozens of speakers pressed the Katy Independent School District board of trustees during public comment on Oct. 27, sharply divided over recent social‑media posts by trustees Mary Ellen Cozella and Morgan Calhoun and their criticism of a private Pride event that a venue later canceled.
Texas / School Districts / KATY ISD
Katy ISD finance and operations staff told trustees on Oct. 27 that roughly $17 million remains in a sunsetting Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone fund and identified priorities for that money including an emergency generator replacement ordered after a catastrophic failure.
Texas / School Districts / KATY ISD
A procedural dispute over who may speak during public comment consumed a substantial portion of the Katy ISD board meeting Oct. 27, 2025, after dozens of people said they received email confirmations that they would be allowed to speak but were later told only the first 20 non‑agenda speakers would be permitted under board policy BED local.
Texas / School Districts / KATY ISD
District staff reviewed the TEA Effective Schools Framework and Katy ISD's 5‑system approach to school improvement. Trustees requested targeted reports isolating Title I campuses and longitudinal campus profiles (2019–2025) and staff agreed to provide them.
Texas / School Districts / KATY ISD
Katy ISD received a 98/100 (A) Financial Integrity Rating (SchoolsFirst/FIRST) for the 2023–24 year. Following presentations, the board approved the consent agenda (items 9.1–9.9) by a 7–0 vote and later denied a Level 3 DGBA employee grievance (DGBA 25‑006), upholding earlier hearing‑officer decisions.
Texas / School Districts / KATY ISD
Katy ISD will submit a bilingual exception and ESL waiver for 2025–26 after the district reported serving 22,591 emergent bilingual students and identified 109 teachers who lack ESL certification.
Texas / School Districts / KATY ISD
Trustee Roxanne Kuzella proposed adding language to FM(Local) that would bar routine scheduling of school activities on Sundays and require excused status for students who miss approved Sunday activities for religious reasons.
Texas / School Districts / KATY ISD
Architects and campus leaders presented design development for Polly Ann McRoberts and Hayes elementary renovations, including centralized administration, new library locations, ADA/stage access improvements and a consolidated special education wing. Staff asked trustees to approve Amendment No.1 to authorize procurement of long‑lead items (HVAC,
Texas / School Districts / KATY ISD
Director of Budget and Treasury Esperanza Rios presented October budget amendments including $241,049 in general fund timing amendments and a food service fund amendment that includes a $1,500,000 full kitchen replacement at Katy Junior High (net food service fund balance decrease of $1,398,480). Trustees asked about bid process, funding source,
Texas / School Districts / KATY ISD
In open session following a closed meeting, the Katy ISD board moved to terminate the term contract of Morton Ranch Junior High teacher Cheryl Harper for good cause effective Oct. 20, 2025. The motion carried 5–0 on the board’s keypad vote.