Katy ISD 2025-26 Academic Year Begins with New Schools; Focus on Academics and Safety
- ncookclark
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
August 13, 2025
By Natalie Cook Clark
Katy ISD welcomed 97,000 students this morning to the 2025-26 academic year. The District currently has over 100 campuses and support facilities and 14,000 employees. Two new elementary schools opened their doors, and academic success and safety took center stage.
Katy ISD classes are back in session! This morning Superintendent Dr. Greg Gregorski, Board of Trustee Dawn Champagne, school officials, and media all greeted students at the new Boudny Elementary located in the Elyson community. The school opened with 940 students and has the capacity for 1,280 students.
Katy ISD Opens Two New Schools
“These kids are getting a world-class education here and that’s because of our parents and community,” says Dr. Ken Gregorski. “Our bond money pays for these schools, and I can’t thank our community enough for supporting our school bonds and making KISD what it is today.”
Also opening its doors for the first time today is Cross Elementary located in the Sunterra community. It was built to a capacity of 1,386 and is not far off from capacity at opening.
Dr. Gregorski addressed the importance of academic success and safety. He says that Katy ISD students continue to out preform others in the state and that kids are prepared for the next level.
“Safety is a huge priority here,” says Dr. Gregorski. “We’re always looking for ways to be more imaginative and safer. We installed flip-locks, it’s another barrier in every classroom.”
The District is also piloting a new emergency control at one elementary, one junior high, and one high school. This is through the Raptor system and allows staff to easily alert the front office or 911 through a wearable device. If 911 is alerted all nearby law enforcement agencies will go to the school.
Families can Still be in Contact with Cell Phone Ban
This year, Texas has banned cell phones from schools from the first bell through dismissal.
“We had a pretty good policy last year where phones were banned during classes but this takes that policy to a new level where cell phones are to be put away all day and that will be a culture shock for many,” explains Dr. Gregorski.
He hopes that families will take advantage of the Districts Chromebook 1 to 1 initiative and establish new ways to communicate with students throughout the day.
“There are communication apps where families can communicate through the Chromebook, not needing the cell phone, and we hope parents and coaches will use those things,” says Dr. Gregorski. “It’s still communicating, but differently.”
Boudny Elementary Felicia Ashabranner said that today was like a “wedding day” for her and the staff as they have prepared for this moment for so long.
“At Boudny Elementary we lead with kindness, learn with heart, and we trailblaze together,” says Ashabranner.
Welcoming Parents
A major goal for her this year is to really help the parents feel welcome and always be open to feedback.
“PTA is a dying breed in some schools and it’s my responsibility to get to know the parents and help them feel welcome in our school,” says Ashabranner, who also praised namesakes Al and Ann Boudny for being there for every step of this process.
The school has been hosting events all summer long to get families excited. Yesterday Ashabranner and the Boudny family joined the staff in high temperatures to chalk the area around the school in preparation of greeting students today.
Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Briones was also present this morning and read to a kindergarten class.
"I had the pleasure of visiting Katy ISD's two brand new elementary schools, Cross and Boudny, this morning," says Board of Trustee Dawn Champaign. "There was so much excitement and enthusiasm from everyone. The children were so well behaved, the teachers were all smiling, and the buildings are beautiful. These brand new schools mean brand new adventures. Happy first day of school to all our Katy ISD family!"
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