Katy ISD Requests Several Hundred More Teachers/Staff for Next School Year

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

March 22, 2019

By Natalie Cook Clark

To meet the demands of the town's growth, the Katy ISD administration requests hiring several hundred more teachers and staff. The board will vote this Monday, March 25. ​

Katy ISD's Need for More Teachers/Staff

Chris Smith, the chief financial officer, gave a presentation on the need for more teachers and staff during the board of trustees' March 18 work-study meeting. Smith said enrollment projections for the 2019-2020 school year show a 4.2 percent year-over-year increase in enrollment, or about 3,308 students, to 82,789 students.

"Katy ISD is recognized as a destination school district, and as such, its student enrollment now exceeds 80,700," says Maria DiPetta, Manager, Media Relations and Multimedia for the district. "The district’s northwest and southwest quadrants continue to see robust growth in new communities which support projections indicating an additional 2,800 students enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year."

New Schools Opening in 2019-20 School Year

The 2019-2020 school year will welcome two new schools to Katy ISD - a junior high in the Cross Creek community and an elementary school in the Morton Ranch area. When Adams Junior High opens this fall, the district will have a total of 16 junior highs. The school is named after Joe M. Adams who served on the Katy ISD Board of Trustees for 27 years, in every board position. Adams continues to be actively involved in various school and community functions.

The newest elementary school will become the 42nd in the district. The school is named after Olga Leonard, a longtime educator who taught students in elementary, junior high, and high school.

In addition to these new schools, Paetow High School will open another grade level in this next school year.

"It’s estimated the district will need 320 new teachers and 239 non-teacher positions, which includes campus, special education and ancillary employees to staff these schools and fill other anticipated vacancies," says DiPetta.

"Compared to last year, Katy ISD opened only one elementary school, added one grade level at Paetow High School, and had a student enrollment of less than 80,000 students," says DiPetta.

New High School for 2020-2021 School Year

Katy ISD will also add an another high school in the 2020-2021 academic year. This school will also be near Cross Creek Ranch and is anticipated to alleviate overcrowding at both Tompkins and Seven Lakes high schools.

The board will vote on this request for new hiring at their next meeting on Monday, March 25.

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