Katy ISD Elementary Schools 45 and 46 are well under construction and are scheduled to welcome students in fall 2023. Today, Superintendent Ken Gregorski announced the two principals who will lead Katy ISD’s newest elementary schools. Charlotte Gilder was named the principal of Elementary 45 and Michael Schwartz will lead Elementary 46.
Gilder has 28 years of experience in public education. She began her journey as an educator in 1994 at Sam Houston Elementary School in Port Arthur ISD. Five years later, she joined Goose Creek CISD and in 2000 she transitioned to Cypress Fairbanks ISD, where she became a reading and writing specialist. Gilder joined the Katy ISD family from 2002 up to 2009 and then had an opportunity to expand her professional experience in counseling with Lamar CISD. However, Katy ISD always held a special place in her heart. She returned in 2012 and has since then served in multiple roles that include counselor and assistant principal at Mayde Creek Elementary, curriculum and instruction assistant principal at Beckendorff Junior High, assistant principal at Wilson Elementary and Morton Ranch Junior High and her most recent role as principal of Schmalz Elementary. Gilder has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Sam Houston State University, a Master of Arts in Counseling and Development, as well as a Master of Education in School Administration from Prairie View A&M University.
“Katy ISD has always felt like home and I’m excited to open yet another new campus in this thriving school district,” said Charlotte Gilder, new principal for Elementary 45. “I look forward to working with the students, parents and the community to name the new school and to create new traditions for years to come,” added Gilder.
For Schwartz, a good part of his 16 years in education has been spent in Katy ISD. In August 2006, he started his career in public education at Cimarron Elementary as a fourth and fifth-grade teacher. His passion for educating every student at Cimarron Elementary led to a promotion as an instructional coach in July 2011. Looking to get into a school leadership role, a year later Schwartz joined Spring Oaks Middle School in Spring Branch ISD as their assistant principal. However, his calling was not over at Katy ISD. He returned to the District in May 2014 to work as an assistant principal at Bear Creek Elementary and four years later at Wolfe Elementary. Schwartz has been the principal of Stephens Elementary since February 2019. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Texas A&M University and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.
“What an amazing new chapter for Katy ISD and for this new school community! I am eager to work closely with parents, students, and the community as we open this new school,” said Michael Schwartz, new principal for Elementary 46. “Together, as a team, we will provide opportunities for students to be curious and think critically so they can dream BIG and be guided toward a fulfilling future,” added Schwartz.
Additionally, Katy ISD is accepting campus naming nominations for Elementary Schools 45 and 46 through November 28, 2022. Individuals interested in submitting a name are asked to review the Katy ISD Board Policy CW(LOCAL) for facility naming guidelines and submit a completed Nomination for Naming a New School or Facility Form, found on the Katy ISD School and Facility webpage.
The naming form and all supplementary materials may be submitted in the following manner by 4 p.m. on November 28, 2022:
- By email: schoolnaming@katyisd.org
- By mail: Katy ISD School/Facility Naming
School & Community Engagement
P.O. Box 159
Katy, TX 77492-0159
- Personal delivery: Education Support Complex (ESC)
School & Community Engagement
6301 S. Stadium Lane
Katy, TX 77494
Elementary 45 will be located at 25600 Longenbaugh Road while Elementary 46 will be located at 25615 Clay Road, both in the northwest quadrant of Katy ISD. These campuses will provide enrollment relief to neighboring schools experiencing fast growth.
Charlotte Gilder
Principal of Elementary 45
Michael Schwartz
Principal of Elementary 46
