September 28, 2007

Katy ISD Announces Decrease in 2007-08 Tax Rate

Homeowners will see another drop in tax bills as a result of the tax rate set Monday night by the Katy ISD Board of Trustees. The total tax rate for the coming year is $1.5266 per $100 valuation: $1.1266 for maintenance and operations and $0.40 for debt service. The total tax rate for 2006-07 was $1.815. Click here for more Tax Rate information. To find out what other action the Board took, read the September Board Notes.

Theresa Fallwell Selected as Region IV Teacher of the Year

Among her fellow teachers -- both new and seasoned -- at Schmalz Elementary School, Theresa Fallwell is known for her “bag of tricks,” which includes thwarting the threat of failure for at-risk students, and developing a specific teaching style that will conquer that threat to struggling students. That “bag of tricks,” along with Mrs. Fallwell’s relentless dedication to her students, has earned the special education resource teacher the honor of being named Region IV Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Barbara Zeigler Selected as Texas Elementary School Counselor of the Year

Barbara Zeigler, school counselor at Rylander Elementary is renowned for doing "whatever it takes" to meet the needs of students.  Parents appreciate her "listening ear" and students appreciate her role as a child advocate.  Her concern for students is clearly evident in everything she does.  Her principal refers to Barbara as the "heart" of Rylander.

District Special Event:  Katy ISD High School Marching Band Benefit Showcase

Who: All Katy ISD High School marching bands

What: Marching bands will perform competition numbers for the Katy community to raise money for the benefit of band members from Mountain View High School near El Paso.

Where: Rhodes Stadium

When: Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Why: Student band members want to raise money for Mountain View High School's band program, a school near El Paso, Texas, that is struggling to keep band members involved because of the cost of instruments. 

Members of the Cinco Ranch High School band developed this idea when they learned that 1/3 of the band students from Mountain View had lost their homes because of flooding earlier this year, and 50 percent of the band members now live in make-shift housing without running water.

Please come support the students Oct. 20 as they help give others the same opportunities they benefit from as high school band members.  Look for more information coming soon on the Katy ISD website.