Superintendent
Office of the Superintendent
Dr. Paula Patterson, Superintendent of Schools
Jan. 12, 2026
Dear East Harris County Community Members and Families,
Over the past four months, Crosby ISD has engaged in meaningful and collaborative work with members of our community to plan thoughtfully for the future of our district. This work has been guided by our Long Range Planning Team, a diverse group of parents, educators, business owners, and community members who generously volunteered their time to help shape the direction of Crosby ISD.
Our Long Range Planning Team first met on August 28, 2025, at Crosby High School, where more than sixty community members came together to begin this important work. During that initial meeting, we shared current district demographic data, heard a presentation on projected growth from Dr. Stacey Tepera of PASA, and asked participants to reflect on the skills and characteristics a Crosby ISD graduate should possess to be successful in the future.
As we reviewed growth projections, it became clear that Crosby ISD is facing an even greater rate of growth than originally anticipated.Over the next ten years, some campuses are expected to grow substantially as our community continues to expand. According to Dr. Tepera, Crosby ISD is looking at adding an additional almost 1,600 students, moving us over the 8,600 student mark. (not sure about adding this fact)
The second meeting, held on September 18, 2025, focused on a comprehensive SWOT analysis examining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing our district, as well as an assessment of building and asset needs. Team members highlighted Crosby ISD’s strong sense of community, dedicated teachers, wide range of extracurricular opportunities, and robust Dual Credit and Career and Technical Education programs as key strengths. Areas of concern included traffic congestion, overcrowding, and communication gaps. Participants also identified significant opportunities related to student population growth, community partnerships, and increased volunteer involvement, while recognizing the importance of thoughtful planning to support continued growth.
At our third meeting on October 23, 2025, held at Crosby Middle School, participants took part in a campus walking tour before turning their attention to the district’s financial landscape. We welcomed Mr. Doug Whitt from SAMCO Capital, who explained Crosby ISD’s borrowing capacity and financial considerations. During this meeting, members ranked the district’s most pressing needs, including the construction of a new elementary school, HVAC upgrades, safety and security improvements, and facility updates.
The fourth meeting, held on November 13, 2025, brought together district-identified needs and community concerns. It was encouraging to see strong alignment between the two. From this work, five key priorities emerged as the most critical items to address through a potential bond.
Using this feedback, the district developed three bond package options, which were presented to the Long Range Planning Team at the final meeting on December 10, 2025. Each package was designed with a different tax impact in mind. The first option proposed an increase of one cent per taxable home value and included a new elementary school, district-wide roof and HVAC repairs or replacements, and safety and security improvements. This option would increase the yearly taxes of the average homeowner (based on an average home value of $255,000 minus the $140,000 homestead exemption) by an estimated $11.57. The second option included all of the previous components and added technology infrastructure upgrades and device support for five years, site improvements, new school buses, a marching practice pad for our band, and land acquisition for a future middle school, with an average annual household impact of an estimated $17.35 per year. The third option would have increased taxes two cents and included a District Aquatic Center and expanded technology support, increasing the yearly tax burden of an average household by an estimated $23.15.
On Monday, December 15, 2025, representatives from the Long Range Planning Team presented their work and recommendations to the Crosby ISD Board of Trustees. The team recommended the second package, determining it best balanced district needs with fiscal responsibility to taxpayers.
I am deeply grateful for their dedication, insight, and commitment to the future of our district. Their recommendations now serve as an important guide as the Board considers how to best prepare for future growth.
Thank you to everyone who participated, shared feedback, and supported this important process. Together, we are working to ensure Crosby ISD is prepared to serve our students and community for years to come.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paula Patterson
Superintendent of Schools
Crosby Independent School District
Committed to Students
