During this week’s meeting, the Katy ISD Board of Trustees approved the purchase of new uniforms for one of the district’s rapidly-growing band programs, as well as the replacement musical instruments at seven of the district’s oldest secondary schools.
Board members approved the superintendent’s recommendation to spend $13,750 to purchase uniforms for the Morton Ranch High School Band, as well as $906,400 to replace band instruments that are 25 – 35 years old.
In making the recommendation to purchase the uniforms, Superintendent Alton Frailey cited the rapid growth of the Morton Ranch band program.
“The Morton Ranch High School band program has grown over 66 percent in the last three years – 275 students, up from 165 students. They need additional uniforms to accommodate this wonderful growth in the program,” Frailey said. “An additional 50 complete marching uniforms are needed to allow for all student members to actively participate in this upcoming season.”
For the purchase of musical instruments, Frailey said new instruments were needed to replace those that can no longer be used or repaired. He also said a “proactive instrument replacement program is being developed.”
“The plan will designate the replacement needs at all campuses in the next five years, ten years and fifteen years. This will help to establish the annual budget to maintain an inventory of musical instruments that will allow for greater student engagement, developments of skills and growth in their mastery of skills at the established expectations for these programs within our district,” Frailey noted.
For his part, Katy ISD Executive Director of Fine Arts Bob Bryant said he was appreciative of the support of the board and administration in making the purchases.
“The funding to provide needed instruments in our oldest instrumental music programs protects the quality of the learning and addresses a challenge that has been growing for these programs in the past few years,” Bryant said. “We are fortunate in Katy ISD to have the members of the board and administration understand what it takes to create and sustain a quality fine arts program, and we are fortunate to have great directors that engage students in learning and performance activities which continue to grow these programs at their respective campuses.”
Trustees voted 6-0 to approve the purchases. One trustee, Dr. Bill Proctor, was absent from the meeting.
