FortBendNow.com

As Co-Founder of the Katy Citizen Watchdog$, I thought I would take this opportunity to respond to some recent statements made by Katy ISD patrons and administrators regarding various facts that we have set forth on our web site and in recent commentaries to the press.

Unfortunately, it would appear that some people in Katy are still very misinformed as to what is really going on in this district. But in fairness to these individuals, I think that for the most part their information is coming directly from the district. The Watchdog$ continue to hear the same comments and statements that have already been spewed forth in recent Board meetings from both Board members and Superintendent. So let’s try and clear up some of that misinformation:

Being “Academically Acceptable is ok since the testing requirements are more stringent for the TAKS test.” The fact is according to TEA and State Comptroller statistics, Katy ISD is currently rated as an “Academically Acceptable” district. The best one could call this rating would be a “C” average. The differences between TAAS and TAKS is not the relevant issue. What is relevant, at least to this author, is that our kids aren’t getting what they need.

The Watchdog$ don’t blame the teachers for this, we blame the administration. They are the ones that are in charge of the curriculum. I fail to see how anyone would not be concerned about a school district that has gone from an overall rating of “Exemplary” in 1995 to “Academically Acceptable” in 2005. I could care less about differences in testing requirements! If you want to accept the argument of testing requirements to explain the academic decline then why are our kids not doing better? Obviously, something is missing if they aren’t passing the TAKS as easy as they were passing TAAS. Wouldn’t you agree?

“Free money for everyone!” There are some in our community that want you to believe that passage of this bond is not going to cost the taxpayer a thing since we are already at the $2 tax cap. I guess it’s going to be “free money” for everyone! Well, for those of you that believe this, and I hate to be the one to break it to you, but there is simply no “free lunch” when it comes to taxes. There is no “magic money tree” in the capitol rotunda.

The empty suits and skirts in Austin will get their “pound of taxpayer flesh” from some source. While they may indeed reduce your personal property tax bill they’ll make it up with increases in business, franchise and “sin” taxes. It’s a simple matter of “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” Let’s also be cognizant of the possibility that the Legislature may completely revamp the entire taxing structure during the special session. So don’t believe for a second that this bond money is going to be “free.”

“Robin Hood was flawed but money is still the answer.” The Watchdog$ were very pleased that our state supreme court struck down “Robin Hood.” But in the same breath these same folks believe that throwing more money at the school finance issue is the only answer to the problem.

Let’s remember that this administration, that some of you think so highly of, spent $70,000 of taxpayer money to participate as a plaintiff in the West Orange Cove lawsuit. Katy ISD, along with the other school district plaintiffs in this case, wanted the status quo, all those things that made the system flawed. The plaintiffs were of the opinion that more money is the solution to the problem.

The Watchdog$ do not believe that throwing money at a problem ever solves the problem. Furthermore, the Watchdog$ don’t believe that there is any direct correlation between truckloads of cash and quality education. Our Court’s majority opinion stated “While the end-product of public education is related to the resources available for its use…more money does not guarantee better schools or more educated students.” The Court went on to state that, “structural changes, and not merely increased funding, are needed in the public education system.” The Watchdog$ couldn’t have said it any better.

“But KISD is a fiscally responsible district. After all, the district continues to receive reporting kudos from various state agencies.” In our opinion, it really doesn’t matter to the average taxpayer that some obscure governmental agencies think that Katy ISD spends money responsibly. If Katy ISD was so fiscally responsible, why are the projected construction costs under the proposed bond running, on average, $7 million more than some of our neighboring school districts? Where’s the long-range plan for bond debt management? The Watchdog$ asked for the plan and what we got was an advertisement for RBC (the district’s financial consultant). And we have never seen any plan as to how the district is going to prevent future deficit school year budgets. Here are more questions to consider:

• Do you think that a $1.5 BILLION dollar bond debt is responsible? And let’s not forget that if this bond passes we will add an additional $400 MILLION in interest to our current debt. $2 BILLION here we come!!

• Do you think a projected $20 MILLION dollar deficit for the 2005/2006 school year budget is responsible?

• Do you know that the Katy ISD Fund Balance (aka “Rainy Day Fund”) only represents around 11% of our current expenditures? A deduction of $20 million from the current Fund Balance will slash that account by over 50%.

• Do you think it’s responsible to ask the voters for another $261.5 million dollars when the district has no fixed plan on how they are going to pay for it? Let’s remember that our district CFO has been quoted in the papers that he is depending on state funds to help pay for this bond.

• Regardless of what some obscure governmental agencies say, the reality is that if the spending habits of this administration continue to go unchecked then this district will go bankrupt.

“KISD bonds are rated as superior.” The fact is that Katy ISD’s bond rating is classified as “superior” because of one reason and one reason only, and that is the bonds are guaranteed by the State of Texas. What I can tell you is that in the real world if Katy ISD was a corporation selling bonds on the open market they would not have a “superior” rating because of their current bond debt and the fact that their expenses exceed their revenues.

The Watchdog organization is run by A.D. Muller, a long-time district critic.” The Katy Citizen Watchdog$ is not Mr. Muller’s group. Chris Cottrell and I started this group. Let’s be clear as to who the Watchdog$ are. We are a very large group of parents, taxpayers and teachers that are very concerned about the current academic and financial health of this district. Our mission is to watch the district and to demand that our board and superintendent be accountable and responsible when it comes to education and finances.

There is a great deal of secrecy that cloaks the major decisions that are made in this district. It’s never been talked about before because there was never a Watchdog group that was monitoring district activities. Like vampires, I think the push back may very well be because we are bringing some of these issues into the light. Our group brings a truthful, informative and alternative voice to this district. Believe me the district has done its best to intimidate the Watchdog$ but their efforts have failed. We’re not buying the “party line.”

“The Watchdog$ will never be happy.” That statement couldn’t be further from the truth. We will be very happy once we have a new Board with fiscally minded members. That’s why we are endorsing two of our very own (Fred Hink and Tom Law) for Trustee Positions 6 and 7.

Kevin Tatum
Katy

Unfortunately, it would appear that some people in Katy are still very misinformed as to what is really going on in this district. But in fairness to these individuals, I think that for the most part their information is coming directly from the district. The Watchdog$ continue to hear the same comments and statements that have already been spewed forth in recent Board meetings from both Board members and Superintendent. So let’s try and clear up some of that misinformation.

Kevin Tatum
Katy