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Anthony Aswad · Top Commenter · Houston Community College

WHAT!!!! You have got to be joking. First of all get your facts strait. The city of katy is the only one that stepped up and said they would support a new stadium. Don't twist the truth.
Secondly does rhodes give khs an advantage over the rest? NO. It's the program not the stadium.
You say don't put it in the city because it is an unfair advantage to khs. Yet then you say put it on campus at cinco. Wow really.
He never mentioned race once. Saying the word segregate means nothing about race. Look it up and quit race baiting.
GET THE FACTS RIGHT then give an educated opinion.

· October 23 at 8:11am

Dennis Spellman · Saint thomas aquinas High School, Dover, NH

You've completely missed the point. Please read the article again.

· October 23 at 12:35p
Anthony Aswad · Top Commenter · Houston Community College

No Dennis i haven't. The city of katy is the only one that said they would support the stadium. The community leaders on the south side, while agreeing we need it, don't want it in their back yards. That's why the land was sold. Look I've enjoyed reading your articles but this is so one sided it's pitiful. The no pac must have gotten to you big time.

· October 23 at 12:53p
Raymond Randle Jr. · Katy, Texas

Thank you, Anthony! The "race card" comment is a distraction to make this about Frailey.

· October 23 at 2:53p
Raymond Randle Jr. · Katy, Texas

I recall a discussion about the Cinco Ranch location at last year's board meeting when the first stadium bond came up. It seems some people don't like the answer from the "analysis" and have an agenda with respect to the location.

· October 23 at 2:56p
Anthony Aswad · Top Commenter · Houston Community College

I totally agree Raymond. They are using last ditch efforts to put doubt in people's minds.

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· October 23 at 2:56p
Anthony Aswad · Top Commenter · Houston Community College

They wil tell you it's the About the money, but the root is the location.

· October 23 at 3:09p
Michael Franks · Top Commenter · Parker College of Chiropractic

I agree as well, Using racially baited words, for affect is wrong. That's why Frailey should not have used them to begin with. If anyone believes he did not KNOW what he was saying, and his choice of using SEGREGATION numerous times, I am sure you probably believe "Hope and Change" is real too?

· October 24 at 5:56a
Anthony Aswad · Top Commenter · Houston Community College

No mikey hope and change is bs. And the only ones that focus on one word and try to make it mean something other than its true meaning is trying to use it as a list ditch effort.

· October 24 at 6:20a

Jennifer Skelton · Katy, Texas

That land at Cinco Ranch isn't available because it is currently under development as a park being funded by the Mud. That is something that would be known if you had attended a board meeting. There was a presentation on it. That's the problem with people advocating a NO vote, you are not giving accurate information.

· October 23 at 9:09am

Garry E. Jarvis · Top Commenter

So all this negativity is about One high school (Cinco Ranch) not getting the new expensive stadium even as the future development of the whole Katy ISD is largely to the North of I-10. How 20th Century (and Entitled) of y'all ;-)

· Edited · October 23 at 10:23a
Dennis Spellman · Saint thomas aquinas High School, Dover, NH

No Cinco was simply used as an example because the yes folks always say no one has any other ideas. There are other areas to put the stadium too.

· October 23 at 12:37p
Dennis Spellman · Saint thomas aquinas High School, Dover, NH

Seven Lakes is another potential location.

· October 23 at 12:38p
Dennis Spellman · Saint thomas aquinas High School, Dover, NH

Gary you are a member of the Katy Tiger booster club. Of course you feel the way you do.

· October 23 at 12:40p
Garry E. Jarvis · Top Commenter

Dennis, As I have stated previously, I don't care where the stadium is located. Just build it...somehwere. The whole KISD needs it. If there is KISD property at or near Seven Lakes explain how large it is, the cost to build and buy, the cost for added infrastructure....in short, make your specific case. Or quit whining. Bring or explain exactly what you mean and I'll listen. Otherwise.....and how much credit can I give you when you mis-spell my name when it is right on front of you? That's good journalism......

· October 23 at 12:57p
Garry E. Jarvis · Top Commenter

"Gary you are a member of the Katy Tiger booster club. Of course you feel the way you do. " And you must have been replaced by automation at a radio station.....

· October 23 at 1:04p
Garry E. Jarvis · Top Commenter

Dennis I apologize for my last. As a one time DJ and News Director in small market Tennesee I can appreciate your position. No need for either of us old boys to make irrelevant personal assumptions either.

· Edited · October 23 at 1:08p
Garry E. Jarvis · Top Commenter

And YES, I am a lowest-level member of the Katy Athletic Booster Club. My three kids attended. I live in KHS attendance zone. Why shouldn't I be? I and my wife have attended Tiger Football for 21 seasons, both before and after my kids were at KHS. So What? My position has been and remains Vote YES....for All KISD students present and FUTURE. I don't care WHERE the second stadium is. Build it Big or build it small....build it anywhere - Katy Nation will be there in any case. I know that sticks in yer craw. That said, the new stadium needs to seat 12,000 because that's how many often show up for KISD games. I like the proposed location because it will be near the coming geographic center of KISD and we won't have to spend huge bucks to buy new land. This Time it IS OK to Vote YES!

· October 23 at 1:47p
Rosalind Chedotal · Top Commenter

Garry - right on. The stadium needs to sit more than 12,000 - MY opinion. But at the same time, so does Rhodes. If you are going to build a stadium to seat that many people and be able to offer it out to other schools, organizations, shouldn't the older stadium get some of the same treatment?District makes alot of money off of Season Ticket Holders. Or since a lot of people want to make this about Katy HS - let's get the new stadium and rename Rhodes to Tiger Stadium. :) Chill people - it was a JOKE!

Reply ·

· October 23 at 3:33p
Michael Franks · Top Commenter · Parker College of Chiropractic

Garry E. Jarvis OH Yes Gary, Dennis just HAPPENS to have a team of architects and engineers at his disposal to devise and compile a comprehensive study on this own dime, to satisfy your demands. I am personally for expanding Rhodes and upgrading it. The thing was designed to BE expanded in the future. That future, is kind of NOW! Tully, also had a grass parking lot. There is no reason a second smaller field couldn't have been, or be put at Seven lakes or Tompkins. Why in the heck didn't the board just BUILD a second field at Tompkins when we were BUILDING the school? Selling the land was foolish! Regardless if they ever put a stadium there or not. This place will be land locked one day and they "aren't making any more land" ya know ;) FOOLISH of the BOT. I don't buy the "cop out" that the "blind followers" who l... See More

· Edited · October 24 at 6:15a
Bill Proctor · Top Commenter · McArthur High School

The land at Cinco is behind the school and across the ditch. What about land in front of the school. I drove around Cinco Ranch HS today and there is a lot of land that will not be used by the park. La Centera is backing the second stadium next to Rhodes because they don't want CRHS to have a stadium.

· October 24 at 3:18p
Anthony Aswad · Top Commenter · Houston Community College

Like I said the city of katy is the only one that will support it.

· October 25 at 11:21a

Christy Bohlen Sells Homes · Realtor at Keller Williams Premier Realty

I am shocked at all of the erroneous statements made in this article. I thought this was a news site. The mantra of news is "just the facts" I was actually on the 200 member committee that made the bond reccomendation. It was not the district that brought this bond but the community. Members represented both sides of the stadium issue, concerns about transparency were addressed and it was not addressed by the school district but by demographers, economists professionals in the fields necessary to educate us on bringing a good package that meets the growth needs. If you want facts, I would be happy to share the notebooks of data and facts that were used to build this bond. The strength of our community, our property values and crime rates are all dependent on our fantastic schools. The bond that was passed in New Caney brought a significant increase in property taxes and they built a less than stellar stadium. New Caney is a much smaller district than Katy so that is not a true comparison not to mention the proposed stadium fuels music programs and other community events beyond football at zero tax increase! If I am paying the same amount of tax rather the bond passes or not, I want new schools, retrofitted schools, technology upgrades, transportation, and yes a stadium for that same amount of money!

· October 23 at 11:07a

openid (signed in using AOL)

I believe you are correct that the stadium is a lightening rod for this bond but it is hardly the only reason some of us will vote "NO" to this request.

For many years the district has given lip service to the community and turned its back and did what it wanted even if the taxpayers and voters indicated they wanted a different path.

The so called justifications they give us are little more than an "any port in a storm" approach. At some point we have to ask our administration and our school board, "What part of NO don't you understand?"

The district has enough unrestricted cash on hand (funds NOT needed for operation or debt service) to build a high school. or to build 4 elementary schools, or to do 100% of the remodeling with change to spare which has been outlined in this bond request, but they will not. They tell us our children will have to have classes in former KMart building which is a patent lie and at best a total misrepresentation.

Last November they told us the stadium had to be 14,000 seats or why build it. The first thing they did in this request was trim the seats but leave all the expensive extras intact. If you read the endorcement in the Houston Chron they don't even mention the price tag, they express it as a percentage of the total bond which should give you an idea how large this request is. In that editorial they state the field house and parking lots is NOT included. If this is true, how much more is the tab when completed?

The bond asks for walk in coolers for our flower arranging classes with the belief the ladies will want to make mums for homecoming. Imagine that, taxpayers buy facilities intended to compete with local businesses who in turn pay taxes and hire local persons.

We need to add schools, we need to fix older ones, we need buses, and I believe a stadium in the $25-30 million range can be justified. We don't need to be disrespected and led by the nose to accept something we just told the administration we do NOT want only a few months ago.

There is so much wrong with this request and a "redo" is in order.

· October 23 at 3:23pm

Tim Burns

"Under the Covering Katy plan"??? So a rag-tag online opinionated news blog now has a plan to fix Katy and run the city?? GOD I hope not...

· October 23 at 8:46am

Dianna Cook DesJardins · Texas A&M

Thank you for your opinion. I disagree with several other aspects of the bond but I do agree had the district separated the stadium the bond would not have been nearly as divisive as it is now and it probably would have passed easily. Unfortunately you will get lots of ugly emails but the district did this to itself by combining schools and renovations we need with a stadium many feel like they have already voted down. Even though the committee lowered the price - it did not go down enough for many voters and many, like myself, would not have supported side by side stadiums probably for any cost

· October 23 at 8:32am

Garry E. Jarvis · Top Commenter

The UIL determines rules for high school sports and band etc. They reluctantly permit Thursday night Varsity games (which All KISD schools share) so that school districts can adapt in time to a No School Night Varsity game scenario (read: 2nd stadium when required - like other big districts). This (regarding the second stadium, wherever it is) is mandated by appropriate authority (UIL). NO CHOICE. I certainly don't care where the second stadium is. I'll drive wherever to support my kids' school!. But, build it for those coming! PAY IT FORWARD like many did for you and yer kids!

· Edited · October 23 at 11:11a
Dianna Cook DesJardins · Texas A&M

there is a 5 day rule, not a specific day they can or cannot play. I assume you worry equally as much about all of the other sports they students participate in that are late night and many nights of the week? UIL requires that home teams offer the same number of seats on a playing surface - they certainly do mandate stadium. Meaning the games that were only 20-30% capacity could certainly be played in a smaller venue. Compare a new home now to a new home 20 years ago and be assured people buying all the new homes are paying quite a bit of taxes to build schools. 93% higher than other districts in the state in fact.

· October 23 at 12:11p
Garry E. Jarvis · Top Commenter

On your first point, specific dates ARE INDEED prescribed by the UIL for Varsity fooltball games. A quick look online at the UIL site will demonstrate that Thursday, Friday, and Saturday dates are the only days allowed for Varsity Football. The 5-day rule is a subset of that. UIL and common sense are at the wheel of this stadium issue.
On your second general point about '20-30% capacity' games - the parents of those kids (whether they go to games or not) pay the same tax rate as anyone else. Are you proposing/suggesting smaller-draw schools play only at a smaller stadium relegating some schools/kids/parents to second-class status? The parents of those kids pay the same tax rates as anyone. And twelve thousand fans happen! That's a Good Thing!

· October 23 at 12:45p
Dianna Cook DesJardins · Texas A&M

Number of Games

No team or student shall compete in more than nine (but recommend eight) football games. A scrimmage counts as one of the allowable games.

Number of Games Per Week

One game or scrimmage may be played per calendar week. There shall be a minimum of five days between contests.

This is all I see - along with dates they can start and end as well as dates of state championship - please post where other info can be located.

I think it is ridiculous for anyone to visit the campus of Seven Lakes or Tompkins to feel like their child is a second class student (unless of course they have no interest in band or football - then I would agree with you they get little attention). But maybe you could think of it as paying you back for so kindly paying it forward - they will suffer on their 98 acres campus with multiple practice fields and fields - poor little things.

· October 23 at 3:33p
Garry E. Jarvis · Top Commenter

I found them at http://www.uiltexas.org/football
Just scroll down for the specific dates for each of the eleven weeks in which ten games can be played. I hope this helps, it did me.

· October 23 at 4:01p
Dianna Cook DesJardins · Texas A&M

thank you - will look

· October 23 at 4:09p

Judy Cline Martin · Independent Distributor at Elevate Champions

I couldn't AGREE more, Even though my daughter's graduated from Taylor and grandkids graduated from and now attending SLHS I have always supported KHS in their playoffs. Never again. The 1Katy has ruined that for me. I'll NEVER support them again!

· October 23 at 8:49am

Garry E. Jarvis · Top Commenter

It's not about 1Katy. It is about the future of KISD.

· October 23 at 11:12a
Tim Burns

Judy, your statement makes no sense. How have you supported KHS in their playoffs? Have you attended all the games, cooked them meals, donated to the booster club?? Just because you don't agree with a bond proposal you are no longer going to support the kids in this great community? Newsflash: They will get by just fine without your support...

· October 23 at 11:29a
Garry E. Jarvis · Top Commenter

Besides, what does any of this discussion have to do with the kids? Those here and those coming?

· October 23 at 11:32a
Dennis Spellman · Saint thomas aquinas High School, Dover, NH

Tim Burns read what I wrote. You are taking a page out of the Frailey play book. Simply claim we're against the students of the district and attack. You know that's not what was said.

· October 23 at 12:43p
Bill Proctor · Top Commenter · McArthur High School

Many of these comments sound like they are all about KHS. We do have other schools.

· October 24 at 3:19p

Derek Manley · Dun & Bradstreet

I'm still on the fence -

I completely understand the Katy fan's perspective - when they attend games the stadium is filled to the gills. However, that's not true with the other schools...and for some families sitting in a stadium that's 1/3 filled every week the justification simply isn't there... I think it's important to see things from each perspective.

My main concern isn't the stadium - it's the size and scope of the bond itself and the anticipated growth rates used to justify it.

The recent drop oil prices should remind us that our home values can decrease and growth can slow ..... If growth slows, and home values stagnate or drop there's only one option left to service that debt - raise taxes. From my understanding when added to existing debt this bond would put us at approximately 2 Billion in debt. - approximately 29,300 debt per student .

If the vote is no, I hope a compromise can be reached in May -

Reconsider the need for a bond of this magnitude, perhaps this isn't the time for grand plans in anticipation of heady growth.

The stadium(s) need to benefit the community at large -

Expand / improve Rhodes Stadium to accommodate the numbers they draw. Build a new, less costly stadium (designed with future expansion in mind) south of I -10 that would accommodate the smaller crowds some of these schools draw. I think the all or nothing approach KISD has taken over the last two bonds has been destructive to this great community.

It doesn't have to be a zero sum game.

· October 24 at 12:40pm

Robert Borjas

Covering Katy.....you're seriously comparing the needed stadium to New Caney's? Compare the population and growth plans side by side...bad example. Stadium in front of Cinco Ranch? Across from La Centara???? What a traffic nightmare that would be. Go back and do more research and try rewriting your opinion. Vote YES!!!!

· October 23 at 1:21pm

Melanie DaSilva · Katy, Texas

Wow! It's simply amazing what jealousy does to people. Everything proposed in this bond benefits ALL students of Katy ISD in some form or fashion. How or why it has become all about the KHS Varsity football team is just mind boggling! Yeah...they are a phephenomenal team, get over it and maybe try something different like appreciation and respect for a program that has been proven to produce highly disciplined, skilled and talented athletes and stop all the hateful rants. The stadium is needed, no doubt with 7 High Schools and another planned. The stadium will be used by all schools and by athletic students, as well as fine arts students...band, color guard, etc. The suggestion that this bond can be rewritten to appeal to EVERYONE is ridiculous because there are always those that don't want to agree on anything and thrive on chaos and discord. The time is now to get the ball rolling on all the necessary improvements and expansions to be ready for the obvious growth explosion the district is about to experience. Any further delay is going to create much greater problems for our kids to endure down the road.

· · October 23 at 7:44pm

Melanie DaSilva · Katy, Texas

I might add...I feel it's highly inappropriate that Covering Katy would take a position on this. It's not your job to try and sway the opinions of your readers. A professional "news" organization should stick strictly to the facts and keep opinions out of it.

· October 23 at 7:49pm

Melinda Peterson · Top Commenter · Property Rep/Auditor at Shell

Bottom line......I voted NO!

· October 23 at 2:06pm

Rosalind Chedotal · Top Commenter

Um. I usually support you but you are off in some of your "facts". The district made quite a bit of money selling it back to the developer. Alot more. Second off, Instant News Katy reported the price YEARS (4+ years ago) ago on the land next to the stadium and it was almost next to nothing that they paid for it FROM POWERHOUSE. They got a helluva deal and paid cash for it. At that time, it was going to be tagged for transportation or something like that.

Agreed that the land in front of CRHS is wasted space, but I can only imagine what will go in there. A nightmare will ensue for people trying to get in and around Cinco when that area is blocked with traffic. Goodness, just trying to get into La Centerra sometimes is an act of congress. Good luck getting the County/DOT to put any sort of ramp or anything to ease congestio... See More

· October 23 at 9:35am

Robert Willeby · Top Commenter · Katy, Texas

Dennis Spellman. You really should check your facts before you write an article and claim something as "an option". Do you even bother to investigate? Do you do anything other than repeat what "someone else" has told you to say?

For example, did you know that Don Clayton asked for a study to put the second stadium on the Cinco Ranch campus. The study was done and once he found out he would "loose" his tennis courts, practice fields and green space, it was a crystal clear to HIM that this was not a good idea. Even Coach Clayton knows it's a BAD IDEA.

Don't believe me? Ask him. Surely you can find his phone number. (PS. He says you can call anytime after 10am today)

· Edited · October 24 at 6:44am

Claude Crane · Network Architecture Consultant at AT&T

Great points made all around. If the school board would jut put a little thought into the big picture they wouldn't have brought the same bond issue back. The board is holding the students hostage with a poorly conceived stadium plan. So sad.

· · October 24 at 4:36pm

Katy Tea · School of Life and Hard Knocks · 387 followers

http://www.kprcradio.com/media/podcast-matt-patrick-kprc-podcast-mattpatrick_kprc/matt-patrick-102214-hr-1-25471012/
Listen at 14:26 where he says about the Katy ISD Bond "I am not voting for this thing" ~Matt Patrick

· October 23 at 2:45pm

Melissa Watkins Borjas

This isn't about khs, its about all of Katy schools!!

· October 23 at 7:43pm

Joshua May · Texas A & M

I agree!

· October 23 at 8:02am

pensiontrs2014 (signed in using AOL)

Last week we watched the Steelers and the Texans play. The game was in Pittsburgh. About twice a week I get the news sent to me that Katy will be as large as Pittsburgh in roughly four years. I have a hard time believeing it, but that is what the pro bond folks say so it must be true, right?

Anyway I watched the game and then started to pay attention to the STADIUM. Will the administration tell us we need a Three Rivers stadium in a few years?? Gosh, by golly, I can hardly wait for that request to come on down the line. How about you?

· October 24 at 9:54pm

Cheryl Holliday Jackman · Katy, Texas

Mr Spellman you really didn't do your research on this. Coach Clayton, Athletic Director and head football coach at Cinco Ranch did the research for you. And a year of it at that. It's NOT a viable option due to lack of space, traffic, and lack of infrastructure and he doesn't want it there. He losses too much if it's at his school. Why didn't you ask the people like him before writing your article? Isn't that what most reporters due? Oh and he's heard about your idea and said he would be happy to give you the information himself.

· October 24 at 8:10am

Pat Brock · Katy, Texas

Go vote Yes for the children that will go to KISD schools now and in the future. Citizens before us had to do what was the best for our children today and it is our responsibility to do the same. All of my girls have graduated and my grandchildren and I will always support the games all yr and there is no excuse to not vote YES. Your excuses are lame do the investigating like the informed have done. Please go cast your YES vote!

· October 24 at 1:09pm

Dana Sumrall Beique · Realtor at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene

Most people move to Katy for the high quality of education. This bond is for the betterment of the school district and yes, stadiums are a part of that. Everyone who has children in the school district wants to benefit from what has been created thus far. Having a good education with quality facilities is expensive. Our school district has a proven track record for student success. Voting NO will only hinder that success WILL see a decline in the overall condition and performance of our schools. When the schools suffer, so will the whole town of KATY! VOTE YES!

· October 23 at 8:01pm

Brianna Browning Pollinger

With La Centerra and Lifetime traffic, not to mention back up from 1093... This is the worst location possible for a new stadium and would cause property values to plummet!

· October 23 at 7:46pm

Brianna Browning Pollinger

Absolutely no way is a stadium in South Katy, particularly anywhere near Cinco Ranch High a good answer...that intersection is gridlock most of the day, every day! BAD

· October 23 at 7:44pm

Brianna Browning Pollinger

I will vote YES now just to keep this possibility off the table!

· October 23 at 7:47pm

Nancy Foulks Hall · Sam Houston State University

I completely agree!

· October 23 at 11:35am