Katy ISD Holds Tax Rate Steady as New Schools Open to Meet Growth
Amid continued enrollment growth and new campus openings in the fast-developing northwest quadrant, the Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees has voted to maintain the district’s total tax rate at $1.1171 per $100 of property valuation for the second year in a row.
The decision, approved at the board’s September 22 meeting, keeps both the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) rate at $0.7271 and the Debt Service (I&S) rate at $0.3900 unchanged from the previous year.
Board President Lance Redmon emphasized the importance of financial stewardship in the face of ongoing growth:
“Our goal is to ensure that every dollar spent continues to support student success while maintaining the financial health of our district.”
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New Schools, Steady Budget
This fall, Katy ISD opened two new elementary campuses—Alfred and Ann Boudny Elementary in Elyson and James and Mitzi Cross Elementary in Sunterra—bringing the district’s total number of schools to 80 campuses.
Both schools were funded through the 2023 Katy ISD Bond and were built to ease crowding at neighboring campuses amid surging enrollment in the district’s northwest developments. The additions are part of a long-term plan to accommodate Katy ISD’s rapidly growing student population.
For the 2025–2026 school year, enrollment is budgeted to increase by over 500 students, reflecting a 0.5% growthfrom the previous year.
Property Tax Relief Still on the Horizon
Despite rising home appraisal values across Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller counties, homeowners may see some relief on their tax bills this fall.
According to Katy ISD Chief Financial Officer Christopher J. Smith, the state’s continued efforts to compress school tax rates—combined with a proposed increase in the homestead exemption—are designed to offset the impact of increasing home values.
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The November 2025 ballot will include a statewide proposition to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 for most homeowners, and to $200,000 for seniors and individuals with disabilities. If approved by voters, this would further reduce taxable values and ease school tax burdens.
Meeting Community Needs
The recently opened Boudny and Cross Elementary Schools are more than just new buildings—they represent decades of service from their namesakes, four educators who each left lasting legacies in Katy ISD.
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Alfred and Ann Boudny dedicated over 60 combined years to the district, serving in roles from classroom teacher to department chair across multiple campuses.
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James and Mitzi Cross contributed more than 70 years of combined service, with James leading Cinco Ranch High School as principal and Mitzi serving students across the district as a beloved teacher and librarian.
Their names now grace the new campuses that will serve students from the Elyson and Sunterra communities, reinforcing the district’s tradition of honoring educators who helped shape its foundation.
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What It Means for Katy Homeowners
The unchanged tax rate means that Katy ISD is continuing to invest in facilities and services without increasing the tax burden on local residents—despite record growth and ongoing development throughout the area.
The approved tax rates will take effect immediately and will appear on property tax statements later this fall.
For more information on Katy ISD’s growth plan, bond projects, or tax rates, visit katyisd.org.
Stay up to date on Katy ISD updates, community growth, and neighborhood news at MyNeighborhoodNews.com.
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.
