Community divided over $748 million Katy ISD bond

KATY, TX (KTRK) -- The Katy community is divided on whether or not to spend $748 million on school renovations and a new stadium. One of the most contentious items on any local ballot is the Katy ISD bond proposal. That community is split over a plan that would use some bond money to build a new football stadium.

Before the dust settles on one new home, construction crews are putting up others, all across the street from Woodcreek Junior High. The kids who move in will add to a school already bursting at the seams.

Bond committee member Shaney Maxon explained, "This school is, I believe, about 700 kids over capacity. The principal here has done a great job, but it's a challenge, and we don't want that many kids outside."

Right now, 34 classrooms at Woodcreek are in temporary buildings. That's one problem supporters of the $748 million bond hope to address by building six new schools across the district.

"We need the progress, we need to grow, because everything around us is growing faster than we are," said parent Susan Barlow. "It's going to be a great opportunity for everyone."

But there's something else inside the bond that's pretty controversial -- a $58 million football stadium.

Parent Phil Williams says he voted against the bond because of it. "To me, let it stand by itself, and let the people vote for the stadium by itself and not add it to something else," he said.

A similar bond including a new football stadium failed last year.

Maxon said, "The stadium this time is scaled down, bare bones -- 12,000 seats, a field house, a parking lot."

With a price tag of $58 million, the proposed stadium would be one of the most expensive in the United States. Katy residents will cast their final votes Tuesday.