KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
December 20, 2019
By Natalie Cook Clark
Katy ISD closes out the first half of the 2019-2020 school year with several announcements: two new principals, anticipated enrollment figures, school naming nominations and the impact of the Santa Cops program.
New Principals Euberta Lucas and Marc Kampwerth
This week the Katy ISD Board of Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Ken Gregorski named two new principals. One is for the new elementary school near the Elyson subdivision and the other is for Fielder Elementary.
Fielder Starts New Year with a New Principal
Marc Kampwerth has over 19 years of education experience. He started his career in Cy-Fair and Lamar and has taught 5th through 7th grade. Eventually, he moved into administration and joined Katy ISD, as an assistant principal at Morton Ranch Elementary. Kampwerth enjoys every role, and most importantly, working with the students to help see them through the curriculum and instruction path in elementary and junior high.
“I am very excited to be joining the Fielder Elementary school community and learn more about the students, families and staff. I will miss Morton Ranch Elementary, as we have built a wonderful learning community,” Kampwerth said. “I am excited to start this new chapter in my career, as a Fielder Falcon.”
Students will see Kampwerth in his principal role after the break.
New Elementary's Principal Led Creech Through Harvey
Euberta Lucas has 21 years of experience in public education, which includes having been assistant principal and principal. She started her career as a 5th grade teacher in Round Rock ISD. In Katy ISD she was an instructional technology facilitator at Mayde Creek Elementary. She later became the assistant principal at Mayde Creek Elementary and then at Pattison Elementary. Most recently she was the principal of Creech Elementary.
“It is an honor to be a principal in Katy ISD. It is an even bigger privilege to have the opportunity to open a brand new school. I look forward to connecting with the families in the elementary #43 community,” Lucas said. “I will do my part to work hard and diligently as a team with parents, staff and students to create and nurture a learning atmosphere that exudes warmth, compassion and a growth mindset," she added.
Lucas was the principal at Creech Elementary during Hurricane Harvey. She’s been widely praised for her leadership during their displacement to HCC and then eventually back at their campus. Read more about Lucas and the Creech family’s triumph after Harvey.
Katy ISD's Elementary #43 will serve students of the growing Elyson subdivision.
Name the New Elementary School
Katy ISD is currently accepting nominations for the name of Elementary #43, which is located at 6631 S. Greenwood Orchard Drive in the Elyson subdivision. Submit your nominations by completing a nomination form here.
Katy ISD Continues to Grow
100,000 Students by 2029
At the week's Katy ISD Board meeting, the Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) presented its annual demographic update on Katy ISD enrollment growth. According to the organization, the District is expected to see nearly 100,000 students by 2029, making it the second fastest growth school district in Texas.
Most Growth Projected in Northwest Quadrant
While the District is currently 79% built out, PASA projects the majority of enrollment growth is expected to take place in the northwest quadrant of Katy ISD. Specifically, Katy High School and Paetow High School are projected to be over enrollment capacity by the year 2023. The five largest and fastest growing subdivisions in the northwest quadrant include Elyson, Cane Island, Bridgeland, Camillo Lakes, and Morton Creek Ranch. Together, these growing subdivisions are expected to bring over 27,000 residents to the area within the next eight years.
“Katy ISD is a constant leader in the greater Houston area for housing starts for development and student growth. It is impressive to see the consistency of development and enrollment growth that the District has had and is having with the main driving force of why people seek out this area being the school district - Katy ISD,” a PASA representative said.
Growth Projected for Cinco Ranch HS
Cinco Ranch High School in also predicted to continue to grow and is projected to see large enrollment numbers in 2020-2022.
Katy ISD continues to address school needs as the district continues to grow. The information indicates the District will need new campuses to address overcapacity enrollment relief, especially in the predicted growth area of the northwest quadrant.
Santa Cops Bring Joy to Record Amount of Students
Katy ISD held their 17th annual Santa Cops event that benefits district students identified by Katy ISD campuses as in need of assistance. This year, the toy drive was able to provide gifts to more than 1,100 students. The program has grown since its inception in 2002, when they delivered gifts to 30 students.
“I am very proud of the amazing growth that the toy drive has seen over the years! Thank you to our entire community, Katy and the District,” Liz Loocke, 17-year coordinator, said. “My favorite part is seeing the students get involved. We have sports teams, clubs, and classes from across Katy ISD sponsoring students. It’s a special thing,” she added.