Katy ISD superintendent plans to step down in August
Katy ISD Superintendent Alton Frailey plans to step down at the end of August after nine years at the helm of the suburban school district, which has grown more than 40 percent on his watch.
Frailey announced his retirement in a community letter posted Tuesday to the district’s website. In the letter, the superintendent expressed gratitude for the support he has received from the community and the district, including staff, parents, faith leaders and business partners.
Frailey said he’s pleased with what the district has accomplished during his tenure.
“I’m proud that we remained a destination community — that many people chose to come here,” Frailey said in a phone interview Tuesday. “The challenge was to inherit a highly regarded school district and maintain the level of high expectations from our community.”
Growing enrollment
Under Frailey, the enrollment of the district has jumped from 51,000 students to more than 73,000.
The district has also gone from having an “academically acceptable” Texas Education Agency rating before his hiring to the highest-possible “met standard” rating, which it’s held since 2012.
Katy ISD, the eighthlargest district in the state, has added 12 new schools under Frailey and this year was named the best public school district in the Houston area by the review site Niche. Frailey’s salary at the district is $288,400.
The district covers parts of Fort Bend, Harris and Waller counties.
Frailey helped persuade voters to approve a bond referendum in 2010, but three years later, another bond measure went down to defeat amid strong opposition to a proposed second football stadium for the district. A year later, voters approved a new bond package that included a scaled-back stadium plan. Some voters still consider the $58 million stadium too costly and unnecessary.
His backers note that the district has continually gotten high marks among Texas districts for educational quality.
Others, though, have labeled Frailey controlling, with the district guarded about the release of information.
“It’s unfortunate because we’ve worked very hard to engage with our community, but we’re a very large district so not everything is going to be perfect,” Frailey said. “I hope everyone sees the destination district we are, and I’m proud of that.”
He said he first began contemplating retirement last June and informed trustees of his intention to resign last fall. He said he wants to spend more time with his family and pursue more travel and volunteering opportunities.
Frailey said he timed the announcement to give the district time to find a replacement by Aug. 31, when his retirement becomes effective.
Search begins
The district, according to officials, will begin the process to select a new superintendent in the coming months. Frailey said he will not be involved in the selection process, noting that the district’s sevenmember board will make the pick.
Frailey has been a public school educator for the past 33 years. Last year, Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Frailey to serve on the board of regents of Stephen F. Austin State University, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees before obtaining his superintendent certification from the University of Texas at Tyler.
Frailey said serving on the board is still in his plans. Frailey is also on the board of the American Association of School Administrators.
“This will be a huge loss for Katy ISD,” board president Charles Griffin said in a statement. “The board plans to engage in discussions about a search committee soon to ensure we can find the most qualified and passionate candidate to take on the role of superintendent of Katy ISD.”