Katy ISD continues to move forward with examining a possible bond package for the May 1 elections. The KISD Community Bond Advisory Committee met Jan. 13 and 20 to discuss the district’s bonding needs and a final meeting is set for Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m.

“Over the past three decades our district and community has grown and continues to thrive because of the investment and support of our parents, business owners, families and retirees who call the Katy area their home,” said Katy ISD Board President Ashley Vann.

The bond committee – also referred to as the CBAC – is examining KISD campus and facility needs after its formation was approved at KISD’s Board of Trustees Dec. 14, 2020 meeting. During that meeting, trustees were advised by consultants with Population and Survey Analysts that the district, which currently has an approximate student population of 84,400 students would have about 115,500 students by the time the district is fully developed. That number is expected to be reached shortly after 2030, they said.

The CBAC consists of about 100 community members who receive additional information at these meetings which are socially distanced and held at the Merrell Center due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the committee will decide how and whether the district moves forward with a bond election based on additional information provided in the meetings.

At the Dec. 14 meeting, KISD Chief Communications Officer Andrea Grooms said the district is already over capacity and Stockdick Junior High is nearly at capacity with space for only 50 more students. Haskett Junior High, now under construction near the intersection of Clay and Katy Hockley roads would open with a capacity of 1,400 students this fall and be at a projected population of 1,373 students by 2024 and a projected 1,813 students by 2026. Elementary and high school campuses in the district would face similar capacity issues, she said.

A bond package had previously been considered in 2020 but was cancelled due to the pandemic.

A decision on whether to put the bond package forward and onto the ballot must be made by Feb. 12 and a special KISD Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Feb. 8 when it is likely that trustees will discuss and decide whether to move forward with any recommendation made by the CBAC.

Correction: The special board meeting is set for Feb. 8.