Katy ISD considering $68 million football stadium (Houston, Plano: schools, colleges, maintenance)

[deckhanddavy]

Originally Posted by Oildog

High schools don't need 60+ million dollar stadiums.

I have no clue as to what the going rate of a HS stadium is, but that's a pretty subjective statement.

[deckhanddavy]

Originally Posted by oceangaia

I think the burden of proof is on those who want to spend the money. Nearly all of a school's revenue is from taxes. Every dollar spent on a stadium is a dollar not spent on education, whether that's a "majority" or a small fraction of the budget.

Honestly, I do agree. I would definitely like to see more money in salaries and other schooling needs, but I'd like to also know the breakdown. Is there a way to see this information for school district budgeting?

[hendersj31]

Honesty, does it even matter? It is a 68 million dollar High School Stadium. I realize that doesn't answer your question, but may explain everyones complaints. I personally could care less how the money is generated, I just don't agree it needs to be used on a football stadium.

Originally Posted by deckhanddavy

Hmm, lots of complaints about the huge spending. I'm curious though, and I'm not siding with anything in particular here... I would like to see some real tangible numbers as to why so many folks here are speculating that this building has eaten into most of the education budget. What evidence was provided to you beyond a news article that this stadium is the majority of Katy tax dollars? I would really like to see exactly how those dollars are divided up on paper in regards to educational tax dollar spending. What departments get what, etc etc...or are most of your complaints 100% speculation and ranting? I'm just wondering.

Pique my curiousity.

[deckhanddavy]

Originally Posted by hendersj31

Honesty, does it even matter? It is a 68 million dollar High School Stadium. I realize that doesn't answer your question, but may explain everyones complaints. I personally could care less how the money is generated, I just don't agree it needs to be used on a football stadium.

It matters to me. I'm sure it matters to others. The OP sure thinks it's a grand idea. But, I'm more curious from a dollar to dollar perspective. Some folks love football, and in Texas, that's a big thing. I don't watch HS football, so it's not really a big deal for me. But, Katy is rich. Katy has a ton of money...and as a Katy resident, I'd love to see how the money is funneled and used in our school system. Can't blame me for being interested, no?

[ToyYot]

I think the better way to look at it is the opportunity cost, i.e. if that $68M was spent on a G&T school/program or a specialized program for autism, or an initiative to train teachers in new learning concepts, or etc or etc or etc.......how much better off would the ISD or community be vs. a football stadium for a bunch of parents with delusions of grandeur.

Sorry, its really none of my business but jeez.

[houstonlibrarian]

Athletics can set an important foundation for a lot of what you will be doing later in life.
This football stadium is going to benefit thousands of student athletes through the years.
If you want to say build one with just bleachers, well why not say that for the rest of the system as well? Why do we need an iPad in every student's hands? Why do we need computers in every class?
We got by in the past without them.
There are plenty of wasteful things being done with taxpayer's money.

If you had two teams to start up a business, give me the ones that all played high school football. Lot of learning and life skills involved there that will help later in life.

[Hdwannabee]

And they are putting it RIGHT NEXT TO THE CURRENT STADIUM! No traffic issues there with 2 stadiums relying on the same 2 lane road for entrance and exit. Wow!

[Rip808]

I find it funny when people from other places are outraged when such expensive stadiums are built. Let the people who actually pay property taxes to KatyISD decide. They are the ones who will have to foot the bill. BUT you all do realize KatyISD is one of the, if not the most successful isd in the entire Houston region (maybe top 5 in the state). It has an excellent academic reputation, parents are involved, and the quality of education is top-notch. Being a product of the district, I felt well prepared for college, and am blessed to have an awesome job in O&G. The location is questionable as I rather they build it south of I-10. I heard they were going to build it next to the new Tompkins high school but land prices have shot up like crazy. If they don't own a good chunk of land it is going to be even more expensive. Well see how this all plays out...

[Trae713]

Originally Posted by Rip808

I find it funny when people from other places are outraged when such expensive stadiums are built. Let the people who actually pay property taxes to KatyISD decide. They are the ones who will have to foot the bill. BUT you all do realize KatyISD is one of the, if not the most successful isd in the entire Houston region (maybe top 5 in the state). It has an excellent academic reputation, parents are involved, and the quality of education is top-notch. Being a product of the district, I felt well prepared for college, and am blessed to have an awesome job in O&G. The location is questionable as I rather they build it south of I-10. I heard they were going to build it next to the new Tompkins high school but land prices have shot up like crazy. If they don't own a good chunk of land it is going to be even more expensive. Well see how this all plays out...

I think they want it in the City of Katy. Plus like you said,they own the land already.

[ToyYot]

Originally Posted by houstonlibrarian

Athletics can set an important foundation for a lot of what you will be doing later in life.
This football stadium is going to benefit thousands of student athletes through the years.
If you want to say build one with just bleachers, well why not say that for the rest of the system as well? Why do we need an iPad in every student's hands? Why do we need computers in every class?
We got by in the past without them.
There are plenty of wasteful things being done with taxpayer's money.

If you had two teams to start up a business, give me the ones that all played high school football. Lot of learning and life skills involved there that will help later in life.

Yes, but the venue is irrelevant.