James Woods

Katy ISD's Board of Trustees has submitted a $459.7 million bond package and called for a Nov. 2 bond election.

The proposed bond package would fund the building of new schools including three elementary, one junior high, and one high school.

Funds are also set aside for other capital project expenditures such as new buses, portable classroom buildings, land for future schools and costs associated with selling bonds.

The bond package is divided into four major areas:

$282 million for the construction of new schools

$119 million for the renovation of existing schools and facilities

$35 million for technology

$22 million for other items such as buses, portable classrooms and land acquisition for future school sites

Meetings will be held at the following locations:

Oct. 5 - Taylor High School main commons, 6:30-9 p.m.

Oct. 6 - Seven Lakes High School main commons, 6:30-9 p.m.

Oct. 11 - Mayde Creek High School ninth grade commons, 6:30-9 p.m.

Mortgage rates tick upward on news from the Fed.

"The Federal Reserve should begin to sell off its stockpile of mortgage-backed securities as the recovery gains strength," Philadelphia Fed President Charles Plosser said in a speech on Wednesday.

"As the economic recovery gains strength and monetary policy begins to normalize, I would favor our beginning to sell some of the agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) from our portfolio rather than relying only on redemption of these assets," Plosser said.

In order to sell more MBS, yields would need to move higher to attract buyers. Since mortgage rates are largely determined by MBS yields, mortgage rates rose after the news.

As the economy recovers, mortgage rates are likely to increase.

Now is the time to lock in those low rates and purchase a home.

Early voting for the March 2nd Texas primary begins today and runs through February 26th.

February 1 is the deadline to register to vote in the 2010 Primary Elections.

For more information on where you should go to vote visit:

www.sos.state.tx.us

Aren't sure if you are eligible to vote visit:

www.votexas.org

In November 2009 the International Code Council (ICC) voted to keep the language related to mandatory fire sprinklers installed in all new one and two family homes in the next edition of the International Residential Code (IRC). Fire sprinklers will be mandatory in new buildings beginning on January 1, 2011. Currently, 48 states, including Texas, use the IRC as a basis of regulating residential construction.

The International Residential Code (IRC) is a comprehensive, stand alone residential code that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less. It brings together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.

Homes in your area will not affected until the regulatory authorities of that area adopt the new IRC codes.

The current language for the new codes are below:

Townhouses

R313.1 Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in townhouses.

Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required when additions or alterations are made to existing townhouses that do not have an automatic residential fire sprinkler system installed.

R313.1.1 Design and installation. Automatic residential fire sprinkler systems for townhouses shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section P2904.

One- and Two-Family Dwellings

R313.2 One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire systems. Effective January 1, 2011, an automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in one- and two- family dwellings.
Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required for additions or alterations to existing buildings that are not already provided with an automatic residential sprinkler system.

R313.2.1 Design and installation. Automatic residential fire sprinkler systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section P2904 or NFPA 13D.

Don't miss the opportunity to volunteer in the Junior Achievement program. The purpose of Junior Achievement is to educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise, business and economics. Junior Achievement in Katy ISD is a five to eight week course ranging from kindergarten to the 12th grade.

All the lesson materials are provided by Junior Achievement and you provide 45-60 minutes of your time once a week in a classroom of your choice.

Currently, fourth graders in Katy ISD are learning about regional resources in the United States and how to implement them to create a business. They are learning about the concepts of business, personal finance, and economics.

For more information on how you can volunteer contact the Junior Achievement Katy Project at 281 396-2439.