BOND ELECTION IN 1994:
(Please note the articles at the bottom where the Katy Times editor and a parent in the District questioned the failure of the bond call to earmark funding for specific projects. As time has passed, this glitch in the bond referenda has caused millions of dollars to be misspent by superintendents and their administrators. Once the bond which is called for by the Board is passed, the Board no longer has control of how it is spent. That, in my opinion, is a huge flaw in the law. MM)
The initial proposal to the Board included three scenarios.
The first was a "three to four year program" that included one junior high, two elementary schools, and one land site. There would be "renovation," furniture/equipment for the new schools and architectural and engineering fees. All of that would be included in a $31,000,000 estimate.
There would be a separate call for a central coliseum to cost between $15 to $18 million.
The second scenario would be for a five to seven year program to include two junior high schools, three elementary schools and two land sites. There would be renovation, furniture and equipment for the new schools, architect and engineering fees, all plans for a proposed new high school and one high school expansion. All of that would be included in a $65,000,000+ estimate.
The third proposal was for a ten year+ program.
All facilities and related needs identified by Texas School Planning in the long range plan would be included. (I don't know what that included.) There would be an upgrade in technology for all schools. (Recall that in 1994 there wasn't a lot of "technology" being used in the schools--there were classroom sets of computers that were probably getting old.) Accommodation of needs for support services due to student growth would be included. There would be an implementation of an aggressive land acquisition program. There would be a total implementation of all code and compliance measures for all facilities. There would be improvements in current infra-structure related to presently owned facilities and properties. The cost of these measures would be $125,000,000+.
Obviously the last proposal included every administrator's wish list.
I believe the amount in the end was $90,000,000.
Please note that this looks like the pattern followed ever since--ask for around 30% more than you really need so the amount you REALLY want doesn't get questioned.
The bond pitch for the 1994 Bond Issue was stated in a copy of On Review (April 1994) by Brenda Ritter who was a member of the communications staff. Notice that the policy when the 1994 Bond Initiative was floated clearly indicated that “If growth doesn’t occur as expected and the facilities are not needed, the bonds will not be sold.”
“On Saturday, April 9, registered voters residing in the Katy Independent School District will have the opportunity to vote on a $90 million bond proposal. If approved, the money from the bonds will be used to build and equip new schools, renovate/expand and equip some current facilities and purchase land sites.
The state of Texas does not pay for school facilities. Therefore, school districts sell bonds to finance capital improvements. The last Katy ISD bond election was held 12 years ago, and since then, the student population has almost doubled. The 1982 bond money was used to build several new buildings and renovate and expand many more. Now, without new bond money, the district cannot expand current facilities or build new schools. [Nowhere does it say that they didn't build all the schools that were supposed to be built with the LAST bond money!]
With the residential and commercial building boom within Katy ISD, demographic studies predict a continuous growth in the student population. For example, since last March, Katy ISD has grown by more than 1,200 students, and in the next five years, another 10,000 more students will be added. This tremendous growth requires action. Present Katy ISD facilities operate at or near capacity, with 62 classrooms housed in portable buildings, and 10 more portable buildings (20 classrooms) to be added next year.
Even though voters approve the bond issue, there are no costs incurred until the bonds are sold. If growth doesn’t occur as expected and the facilities are not needed, the bonds will not be sold. If the bonds are sold, debt service taxes are projected to rise from an estimated 32 cents per $100 assessed value in 1994/95 to a maximum of 39 cents in 1999/2000. For example, debt service taxes on a $100,000 home are projected to increase by $67 over the 5-year period. However, when home owners reach the age of 65, they may file for the Over 65 Homestead Exemption. This exemption freezes the amount of school property taxes they are paying at age 65 and their taxes will not increase even if the tax rate or the appraised value increases, as long as no improvements are made on the property. [I would like to point out that they haven't ever gone DOWN either!]
To review facility needs, the Board of Trustees established a Bond Steering Committee, comprised of a cross-section of community members from all geographical areas of the school district. “We tried to fund enough money in this bond election to last at least five years,” said Jerry Montgomery, bond steering committee member. “We didn’t want to have to come back in two years and do this again. Visiting the Katy campuses and seeing the excellent condition they are in for the age of the buildings, has been an eye opener for me.”
“We addressed the immediate needs as they currently exist,” said Steering Committee member Dr. Tommy Harrison. “It was pretty clear in my mind throughout this process that we should give the school board the flexibility to respond to the needs as they exist.”
After several meetings and three public forums, the Bond Steering Committee determined that $90 million is required to meet capital improvement needs for the next five to seven years.
On Feb. 21, the Committee presented its recommendations to the Board of Trustees and outlined where the money would be spent (see chart below). Trustee James E. Williams said that he was on the board in 1982 when it called the last bond election. “It is a compliment to this school district that the Board is not afraid to step out and do what is necessary,” Williams said. “This bond proposal helps Katy ISD meet the challenges of the 21st century. It will help build our future.” [And nevermind that Mr. Williams had been there many years voting to spend bond money for things not called for in the bond election or for schools that were supposed to be built with that money.]
The election will be held on April 9, but early voting begins on March 21. Information about voting sites, times and dates may be found on page four.
THE $90 MILLION BOND PROPOSAL INCLUDES:
NEW CONSTRUCTION
$39 Million
Four elementary schools
One north of I-10 (McRoberts Elementary #16) to relieve Golbow, Winborn, Sundown, Mayde Creek and Wolfe
Two south of I-10 (Hayes Elementary #15 and Williams Elementary#18) to relieve Nottingham Country, Pattison, Fielder, Cimarron and Memorial Parkway
One built by the 1998-1999 school year to be located as growth indicates (Alexander#17)
Two junior high schools
One north of I-10 to replace Katy Junior High and relieve McDonald and Mayde Creek junior highs (New Katy Junior High)
One south of 1-10 to relieve West Memorial and Memorial Parkway junior highs (Beck Junior High #6)
ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS
$3.5 Million
Design consultants as required by law for new construction and renovation
RENOVATION AND EXPANSION
$19.5 Million
Katy High School
Taylor High School
Mayde Creek High School
Katy Elementary
Mayde Creek Junior High
West Memorial Junior High
All schools to meet
Americans with Disabilities Act requirements
Clean Air Act requirements
Current standards of Uniform Building Code
TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS
$10 Million
Acquire the classroom hardware, software and networking adopted by the Board of Trustees in 1992 as part of the Technology Plan
CENTRAL SUPPORT FACILITIES
$8 Million
Expand warehouse, transportation, maintenance, print shop, purchasing, food service, security, teacher center and audio/visual/computer/copier repair facilities
Meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements
Meet Clean Air Act requirements
Bring buildings up to current standards of Uniform Building Code
FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT
$7 Million
Furniture and equipment necessary to equip the new schools, facilities and renovated and expanded areas
LAND ACQUISITION/DEVELOPMENT
$3 Million
Land purchases necessary for proposed schools
Utility and drainage improvements on sites owned by Katy ISD
In a brochure mailed to Katy citizens titled Building Our Future, the following information appeared:
TAX RATE COMPARISONS
1993-1994 SCHOOL YEAR
District General Fund Debt Service Fund Total
Spring Branch $1.64 .14 $1.78
Humble $1.32 .412 $1.732
Cy-Fair $1.47 .25 $1.72
Spring $1.47 .23 $1.70
Alief $1.2395 .46 $1.6995
Klein $1.28 .39 $1.67
Katy $1.34 .29 $1.63
Debt service taxes are projected to rise from an estimated 32 cents per $100 assessed value in 1994-1995 to a maximum of 39 cents in 1999-2000.
PROJECTED TAX IMPACT
COST OF HOME DEBT SERVICE TAXES
1994-1995 1999-2000
$50,000 Home $144.00 $175.00
$100,000 Home $304.00 $372.00
$150,000 Home $464.00 $585.00
1. Bond Proposal Raises Questions