Katy ISD Board Approves Namesakes for Two New Elementary Schools Opening in Fall 2025
The Katy Independent School District (Katy ISD) Board of Trustees has officially approved the namesakes for two new elementary schools set to open in the fall of 2025. The schools, Elementary #47 and Elementary #48, will be located in the district’s northwest quadrant and will serve the growing population in the Elyson and Sunterra developments.
At its December 9, 2024 Regular Board Meeting, the Katy ISD Board approved the naming recommendations put forward by the respective School Naming Selection Committees. Elementary #47, situated in the Elyson area, will be named Alfred and Ann Boudny Elementary, while Elementary #48, located in the Sunterra development, will be named James and Mitzi Cross Elementary.
These names honor two families with deep ties to the district’s educational community. The naming process followed a public forum and the recommendations made during last month’s Board Work Study Meeting.
“We are excited to add the Boudny and Cross families to the list of namesakes that are so important to Katy ISD,” said Dr. Ken Gregorski, Superintendent of Katy ISD. “These dedicated educators continue to pour into our district, and we look forward to seeing the lasting impact they’ll have on these new school communities.”
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Honoring Long-Serving Educators
Alfred and Ann Boudny Elementary will honor two long-serving educators who have made significant contributions to Katy ISD. Alfred Boudny's career in education spanned 39 years, with 34 of those years spent in Katy ISD. He held teaching and administrative roles at several district schools, including West Memorial Elementary, Nottingham Country Elementary, Memorial Parkway Junior High, and McDonald Junior High. Boudny retired in 2000 as Teacher of the Year but remained active in education through tutoring, mentoring, and volunteering at various Katy ISD schools.
Ann Boudny, who joined Katy ISD in 1982, served as a department chair for 30 years at Memorial Parkway Junior High until her retirement in 2015. Her work in shaping the district’s educational programs, particularly at the middle school level, has had a lasting impact on both students and staff.
Alfred and Ann Boudny, the namesakes for the upcoming Katy ISD Elementary School #47. (Source: Katy ISD)James and Mitzi Cross Elementary will recognize the careers of James and Mitzi Cross, two distinguished educators who dedicated their careers to the success of Katy ISD students. James Cross began his teaching career in Levelland, Texas, before moving to Katy ISD, where he served as assistant principal and later principal at Beck Junior High. He became principal of Cinco Ranch High School in 2009 and retired in 2022 after a remarkable tenure in the district.
Mitzi Cross, like her husband, devoted much of her career to Katy ISD. She taught at various schools in the district before transitioning to the role of librarian, where she served the district for many years. After a distinguished 40-year career, Mitzi retired, leaving behind a legacy of service and commitment to Katy ISD students and staff.
New Schools to Alleviate Growing Enrollment
These new schools are part of the district’s 2023 Bond and are being constructed to accommodate the district's rapidly growing student population. Both schools will help alleviate enrollment pressure at nearby campuses. Elementary #47, located at 7402 Katy Hockley Cut Off Road in Elyson, will relieve Youngblood Elementary, while Elementary #48, located at 900 Sunterra Shores in Sunterra, will serve areas currently attended by Faldyn and Robertson elementary schools.
“Both of these new elementary schools are important additions to our community,” Dr. Gregorski said. “With the continued growth in the northwest quadrant of the district, these schools will be instrumental in ensuring we continue to provide quality education and meet the needs of our students and families.”
James and Mitzi, the namesakes for the upcoming Katy ISD Elementary School #48. (Source: Katy ISD)Looking Ahead
Both schools are slated to open in the fall of 2025. As Katy ISD continues to expand and develop new facilities, the district remains committed to providing an exceptional educational experience for its growing population.
For more information about Katy ISD’s new campuses and upcoming projects, visit the district's official website at katyisd.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
