Katy ISD names new elementary schools after James Randolph and Keiko Davidson

   The Katy ISD board of trustees unanimously approved the naming of two new elementary schools for Keiko Davidson and the late James Randolph during the district’s February board meeting Monday.

   Elementary school No. 36, which is named after Davidson, is located at 26906 Pine Mill Drive in Pine Mill Ranch. Davidson set apart her whole 35-year professional career to serve children through education. 29 of those years were spent working for Katy ISD. She came to the district in 1984. Throughout her tenure, Davidson worked in various roles including teacher and assistant principal, before eventually earning principal duties at Hutsell Elementary.

   “Anytime you walked into her school, you knew that throughout her staff, there was an excitement for learning,” said Rebecca Fox, board president.

   Davidson was integral in forming Hutsell into a successful Title One campus. She ultimately retired with the district in June 2013 as principal of the school.

   “I am honored and grateful to be the namesake of a new elementary school in Katy ISD, a district long known for educational excellence and for family and community involvement,” Davidson told The Rancher. “It was a privilege to have served Katy ISD for many years as a teacher and administrator. I now look forward to volunteering and helping to promote the future success of students in this school community.”

   Elementary school No. 37 is named for Randolph and is located at 5303 Flewellen Oaks Lane in Cross Creek Ranch. Randolph started working for Katy ISD in 1996 at Winborn Elementary, where he taught math and science. He eventually moved on to coaching P.E. at Alexander Elementary. Trustee Bryan Michalsky spoke highly of the experiences that his two daugthers had in school with Randolph.

   “They had just such fond memories of the love he had given the children that came through Roosevelt Alexander Elementary,” Michalsky said. “I couldn’t be more pleased to make this motion of a well deserved honor for a great man.”

   Randolph started his educational career when he took a football coaching job in Carrollton, Ohio, in 1979. There, he also taught sixth grade. Later, Randolph would serve the districts of Houston ISD, Lamar Consolidated ISD and Alief ISD, before eventually moving to Katy ISD.

   Randolph died of cancer on April 3, 2013. The coach's illness forced him into an early retirement, although he remained active in the district as a volunteer. Board members fought back tears as they discussed his legacy.

   “It’s not about the brick and mortar. It’s about the people,” Fox said. “The names on those buildings are about hearts and passions for children. You make the world better by making children better.”

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