By Leah Binkovitz

June 2, 2015

The Katy Independent School District, which saw some 800 new students enroll throughout the past school year alone, is reporting another strong year of results on STAAR tests.

Superintendent Alton Frailey shared the results at a media event Tuesday where he discussed the progress of bond projects - slightly delayed after heavy rains in the area - as well as academic and athletic achievements and the continued regional growth.

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness results cap what has been a year in the spotlight for the 70,800-student district after voter approval of a $748 million bond in the fall. "It says that we have some strong curriculum," said Frailey, who noted that as the district has grown it has invested in professional development to ensure high-quality instruction. "That's our ongoing challenge," he said.

The percentage of students who met the state-set phase-in Level II standard on the English I, Algebra I and U.S. History end-of-course exams fell by one percentage point over last year - from 83 to 82 percent, 90 to 89 percent and 98 to 97 percent respectively.

Meanwhile, that same measure of students fell by two percentage points for the English II end-of-course exam from 85 to 83 percent and held steady at 96 percent for the biology end-of-course test. Students who met the phase-in Level II standard are considered passing.

Frailey credited the district's teachers and staff for the continued high marks and said he expects the district's growth to continue despite the slowdown in the oil industry.

"It's not, 'If you build it, they will come,' " he said, repeating the "Field of Dreams" movie line he's used to describe the area's growth on several occasions. "They're coming, so we have to build."

That was the message of the most recent bond issue, which included funding for six new schools as well as significant build-outs and renovations. This spring, the district has had three groundbreaking ceremonies already, with another slated for this week. Frailey said the recent rains set construction schedules back four to five weeks but that he does not expect any delays in openings. The groundbreaking on a new football stadium is now set for late summer or fall, according to Frailey.

The district also opened its STEAM center, which has already hosted a hands-on crime-scene investigation demonstration, several robotics teams and even representatives from other school districts interested in the idea. "It's just a source of pride," said Frailey. "Already it is generating one complaint: not big enough."

With some 4,000 students graduating this year, the majority will have participated in some sort of fine arts program, athletics or extracurricular activity. Two students were recently recognized for completing over 1,000 community service hours. Others were honored at the White House Science Fair. And eight students were awarded National Merit scholarships.

"We have talented families who move here on purpose," said Frailey.

And though thousands of jobs have been cut in the oil industry, Frailey said the suburb west of downtown Houston is still booming. The latest demographic report from October predicted the district would add 90,503 to 105,027 students over the next 10 years, but Frailey said the district is now erring on the middle to lower side of that estimate.

That still puts Katy among the fast-growth districts in the state. "The demand is still there," Frailey said. Though the district is prepared to be flexible, it expects to keep pace with the growth by floating another bond in three to four years, a schedule similar to another nearby but smaller district growing at a similar rate, Lamar CISD.

With all the growth can come staffing challenges, but the district has seen solid turnout at teacher job fairs, including 1,500 attendees at the most recent job fair. Like other districts, though, it struggles in the bus-driver market. Despite a starting hourly rate of $16.25 and $2 per day childcare, the district has still faced challenges hiring drivers. "We really go above and beyond," said Denisse Cantu-Coffman, director of communications.

Transportation is one of the district's lingering issues. After a community survey earlier this year, the district decided to keep service as it was for the next school year but heard from families about different start times and other options.

For now, Frailey is just looking forward to graduation. "I stand and shake every hand," he said.

Leah Binkovitz

Reporter