Amelia Brust

ItsAllJournalism.com • December 12, 2019

PODCAST: Lead reporter in Sandusky case now investigating barriers in school data reporting

Why are some educators better than others at gathering and supplying data about their institutions or students to the press? Whose privacy is protected by barriers to school data reporting? Check out this interview I conducted with Sara Ganim, former CNN investigative reporter and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, for the It's All Journalism podcast!

It's All Journalism • April 11, 2019

PODCAST: Students filling a coverage gap for Montana’s Native American country

I spoke with Jason Begay and Jeremy Lurgio, faculty for the Native News Honors Project at the University of Montana, on "It's All Journalism" about how they’re teaching students to write meaning stories about the state’s Native American tribes, and what professionals could learn from them.

Community Impact Newspaper • March 2, 2018

GRAPHIC: What is Legacy Stadium costing Katy ISD?

Legacy Stadium opened in Katy ISD in August with multipurpose event spaces, concessions, a jumbotron and a Live Action Media Broadcast System. Community Impact Newspaper previously reported the facility generated $1.64 million in revenues for its first semester, but see what the 12,000-seat football stadium’s biggest expenses have been so far.

Community Impact Newspaper • February 27, 2018

Two-Way Immersion ending, and 4 other decisions from Katy ISD this week, Feb. 26

Despite protests from parents, Katy ISD trustees voted Monday to start phasing out the Two-Way Immersion Model, or TWI as it is commonly known, this coming school year, citing overcrowding and cost burdens. But that was not the only key decision made by the board at this week’s agenda meeting.

Community Impact Newspaper • February 23, 2018

EXPLAINER: What is TWI and why is Katy ISD looking to cancel it?

For several months now, leaders in Katy ISD have talked about the possibility of relocating its Two-Way Immersion Model bilingual education program, colloquially known as TWI. The idea has frustrated parents of children in the program and has repeatedly asked the district to expand or simply maintain the offering. Some, however, may be unfamiliar with the program’s scope and history.

Community Impact Newspaper • February 20, 2018

Class start times and bilingual program changes: 4 things to know from this week's Katy ISD meeting, Feb. 19

After receiving more than 20,000 responses from a districtwide transportation sustainability survey in January, administrators recommended KISD switch to a multibell start schedule for elementary, middle and high schools. KISD Chief Operations Officer Lee Crews said the change would help the district better manage school bus routes in light of a shortage of nearly 35 drivers and a growing enrollment.

Community Impact Newspaper • February 17, 2018

Transportation study, calendar and bilingual programs on upcoming Katy ISD agenda, Feb. 19

Katy ISD leaders are expected to discuss the district’s recent transportation survey, the 2018-19 school year calendar and the future of bilingual programs at Fielder Elementary School during their Monday board of trustees work study.

Community Impact Newspaper • January 30, 2018

INFOGRAPHIC: Katy ISD by-the-numbers

Read our illustrated breakdown of Katy ISD accountability ratings, enrollment, student demographics, school locations, graduation rates and more.

Community Impact Newspaper • January 23, 2018

Harvey reappraisals authorized—again—and other things you missed from Katy ISD this week, Jan. 22

As part of Monday’s consent agenda, KISD trustees voted a second time to authorize reappraisals of properties damaged by Tropical Storm Harvey in Harris, Fort Bend and Waller counties.

Community Impact Newspaper • January 17, 2018

Transportation survey released Wednesday, and 4 more things you missed from Katy ISD this week, Jan. 15

Between a Katy ISD police officer induction, public comments on two-way immersion and a hot-button book this week’s board of trustees work study attracted a crowd too big for the meeting room. See what highlights trustees discussed Monday.

Community Impact Newspaper • January 16, 2018

Controversial YA novel restored to some Katy ISD school libraries

The book that briefly made Katy ISD an infamous household name late last year has been restored to some district campuses.

Community Impact Newspaper • December 25, 2017

Best of 2017: Community Impact Newspaper's favorite photos from the Katy area

As we wrap up an eventful news year, here are Community Impact Newspaper’s favorite photos from the Katy area in 2017.

Community Impact Newspaper • December 20, 2017

Ask the editor: Why do Katy ISD trustees not respond during public comment

Public school districts in Texas follow two sets of policies to conduct board of trustees meetings: local and legal. Legal policies borrow from the U.S. and Texas constitutions, state statutes and other sources for legal context. Local policies are made at the district level, according to the Texas Association of School Boards.

Community Impact Newspaper • December 14, 2017

Katy ISD's Legacy Stadium exceeding revenue projections for first semester of operations

As of Dec. 4, Katy ISD reported higher-than-predicted revenues for Legacy Stadium in its first semester. The district reported $1.64 million in revenues as of Dec. 4. Another $9,250 is committed for event reservations through the end of the school year.

Community Impact Newspaper • December 6, 2017

Katy ISD cites "vulgar" language for removing young adult novel 'The Hate U Give' after parent complaint

Katy ISD has grabbed national headlines for its decision to remove a book from campus libraries after a parent complained to the board of trustees. “The Hate U Give,” a young adult novel by Angie Thomas published this year, was taken out of school libraries and is under review by the district.

Community Impact Newspaper • November 21, 2017

KISD: Homeless population more than tripled after Harvey

Only one Katy ISD campus was has remained closed after Tropical Storm Harvey, but thousands of district students remain displaced as a result. KISD counted about 3,500 homeless students—nearly 2,800 of whom were displaced because of Harvey—as of Nov. 8.

Community Impact Newspaper • November 12, 2017

Resilience is the watchword for Katy ISD’s displaced Creech Elementary students, staff

Tropical Storm Harvey’s flooding damaged several neighborhoods in the Cinco Ranch,inlcuding one of their Katy ISD campuses: Betty Sue Creech Elementary School at 5905 S. Mason Road, Katy. Going on three months later, staff and students said they are “making it work.”

Community Impact Newspaper • November 7, 2017

UPDATED: Katy ISD bond passes with more than 65 percent of vote

Katy ISD released a statement from Superintendent Lance Hindt on Tuesday evening following voters’ passage of the district’s $609.2 million bond proposal for six new schools and other facilities upgrades.

Community Impact Newspaper • October 6, 2017

PHOTOS: Repairs continue at flooded Katy ISD facilities

Katy ISD is still repairing flooded facilities after Tropical Storm Harvey damaged 16 campuses in late August. Creech Elementary School was a total loss, taking on between 2-4 feet of water after Buffalo Bayou breached its banks.

Community Impact Newspaper • September 20, 2017

Katy ISD takes on Harvey-displaced students, superintendent says recovery to last the year

Katy ISD had a slight uptick in enrollment following Tropical Storm Harvey, with some students displaced by the devastation inside and outside district boundaries.