Katy ISD Trustees and Community Members Advocate at Texas Capitol for School Funding, Teacher Support, and Student Safety
As part of ongoing efforts to engage in the state’s education policy discussions, Katy Independent School District Trustees, parents, and business leaders traveled to Austin to meet with lawmakers and staff during the 89th Texas Legislative Session. The group visited more than 30 legislative offices to present the district’s legislative priorities and discuss issues affecting public schools, students, and educators.
Representatives from Katy ISD included Board President Victor Perez, Vice President Amy Thieme, Secretary Mary Ellen Cuzela, and Trustees Morgan Calhoun, Rebecca Fox, and Dawn Champagne. The delegation focused on legislative topics such as student discipline, school safety, teacher support, and state accountability requirements.
“We’re fortunate to have such an engaged community here in Katy ISD—our Board members, parents and residents consistently show incredible support for our students and schools,” said Dr. Ken Gregorski, Superintendent of Katy ISD. “We truly appreciate our legislators for taking the time to listen to the voices of our parents and community today.”
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District Legislative Priorities Address Funding, Testing, and Staffing
Katy ISD’s 2025 legislative platform outlines several areas of concern, including public school finance, standardized testing, and educator retention. One of the central issues highlighted is the Basic Allotment, the per-student funding amount provided by the state, which has remained at $6,160 since 2019. The district supports a formula-driven mechanism to adjust this allotment annually to keep pace with inflation, growing special education needs, school safety costs, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) expenses.
Other legislative goals presented include:
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Reforming STAAR testing and accountability by reducing the number of required tests to the federally mandated minimum, expanding testing format options for younger students, and permitting the use of alternative assessments such as the PSAT and ACT in place of End-of-Course exams.
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Improving teacher recruitment and retention by advocating for increased salaries, reduced administrative burdens, and tuition support for future educators.
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Modifying House Bill 4545, which mandates accelerated instruction for certain students. Katy ISD supports narrowing the focus to reading and math and expanding the student-to-teacher ratio for required small group instruction.
Local Business Leaders Join Education Policy Conversations
In a separate visit earlier this session, Trustee Lance Redmon and Superintendent Gregorski joined business leaders including Matthew Ferraro, CEO of the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, and Angie Thomason, CEO of the Katy Economic Development Council, to meet with lawmakers about CTE and workforce readiness. Discussions centered on the role of school-business partnerships in preparing students for local job markets.
These partnerships—ranging from internships and mentorships to participation in advisory councils—were presented as part of broader efforts to align education with regional economic needs. Participants spoke with Senator Joan Huffman and Representatives Mike Schofield, Gary Gates, Jon Rosenthal, and Matt Morgan to share perspectives on how current policy may affect future workforce development.
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Legislative Engagement Reflects Growing Involvement in Education Policy
The Katy ISD delegation’s presence in Austin is part of a broader trend of increased school district engagement with state-level policymaking. The meetings provided opportunities for local voices—including school officials, parents, and business representatives—to participate in ongoing discussions about the direction of public education in Texas.
As the 89th Texas Legislative Session continues, the status of bills related to public school finance, standardized testing, teacher workforce issues, and student safety remains under consideration. Katy ISD representatives plan to stay engaged in the legislative process, monitoring developments and providing input on policies that could affect schools across the district.
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.
