Katy ISD families will get a chance to shape the district's direction for the next two years through a community survey opening Sept. 14.

The survey, available through Sept. 28, follows a special board meeting on Monday, Aug. 31, where trustees formally began the 2027-29 strategic planning process. Board members worked with Julie Moynihan, a certified executive facilitator at the Texas-based education firm Engage2Learn, to identify nine priority areas.

Those priorities, according to Community Impact, include career readiness after graduation, flattening enrollment, marketing the district, social well-being, artificial intelligence and technology, family engagement, mental health, teacher success and community engagement with the state legislature.

"The main reason why we're here is because we want student learning and we want it to be successful," Moynihan said at the Aug. 31 meeting.

Trustees also outlined action items tied to those priorities: adding career education pathways, identifying academic targets, using technology more efficiently, increasing critical thinking skills and expanding the district's social media presence.

Enrollment pressures add urgency

The board's focus on enrollment comes as the district faces flat growth. Katy ISD is budgeting for 2026-27 enrollment to remain roughly consistent with the prior year, and taxable property values rose just 1.5%, according to My Neighborhood News. The district projects a $25.7 million operating deficit for 2026-27.

The stakes are financial. Superintendent Ken Gregorski framed the connection at the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce State of the Schools event on Aug. 27, saying there is "a clear connection between innovation, opportunity and enrollment," according to My Neighborhood News.

The district has already taken steps this school year to compete for students. Katy ISD launched a Responsible Artificial Intelligence Framework, expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways into fields like underground utility location, water operations and real estate licensing, and opened a Legacy Virtual High School with more than 200 students in its first year, according to Katy Magazine. The district also started an open enrollment program allowing students from outside its boundaries to attend.

What comes next

After the survey closes Sept. 28, a board-nominated strategic design committee will meet Oct. 14 and Oct. 28 to review the priorities and action items. The board is scheduled to hold a workshop Nov. 9 to hear the committee's recommendations.