Due to continued rapid growth (we have grown by more than 3,600 students this year, which represents 15-16 percent growth), we are opening two new elementary schools (Tadlock Elementary to relieve Sem and Elliott Elementary to relieve Ogle) and two middle schools in 2008 (Scoggins to relieve Roach and Stafford to relieve Griffin). With the opening of new schools comes the task of redrawing attendance zones. The following is a series of questions and answers that will hopefully provide insight into the decision-making process and timeline.

Q. When will these decisions be made and how can I have input? We will receive updated enrollment projections from our demographer in October. Preliminary options for attendance zones will be discussed in November at the regular Board meeting, and a public hearing will be held in December when further input will be gathered from parents. It is our hope to make a final decision in January as we prepare to hire the principals for these buildings by February, working toward a smooth transition for the next school year.

Q. What are the criteria for determining attendance zones in FISD? Priority is given to the neighborhood school concept at the elementary levels, and geographic location will also be a consideration in determining which elementary schools or neighborhoods feed into which middle school. However, other significant issues in addition to proximity include efficient space utilization, maintaining diversity within campuses, program effectiveness and providing stability. Stability issues to be addressed involve setting the zones for the maximum length of time possible to minimize the need for students to repeatedly change zones.

Q. Is there a chance that some elementary schools will be split when the students move on to middle school? It is not the most desirable situation, but in a fast-growth area trying to balance enrollments at schools, it is possible that students of one attendance zone at the elementary level may be assigned to different middle schools. It is also conceivable that students at a middle school may be assigned to different high schools.

Q. If we are rezoned, will this be the only time? Frisco ISD will be opening new schools each year for some time. At this point in our growth, opening a new elementary school often just relieves one existing attendance zone. We are, however, at a point where some zones are stable enough so that drawing new attendance zones does not impact all existing boundaries.

Q. How will the administration, faculty and staff be selected for the new schools? By February 2008, principals will be recommended by the Superintendent to the Board of Education. The principals then will be responsible for selecting faculty and staff. Frisco ISD has a policy that outlines a procedure by which teachers may request transfer from one campus to another. Therefore, it is likely that some teachers at existing schools may ask for reassignment to the new campuses. The district, as always, will set parameters on the percentage of transfers allowed from one campus to another in the district, while also making certain that some experienced FISD teachers are assigned to the new schools.

Q. Will everyone - students, parents, and teachers - be completely satisfied with the new boundaries? Probably not. Changing schools is an emotional issue for all involved and is an inevitable issue to be addressed annually in a rapidly growing school district like FISD. We are growing rapidly because, like you, many people are moving here knowing that Frisco is a great place to live, to work, and to obtain a quality education for children. We have concerns with children changing schools multiple times during their elementary school years. That is why it is incumbent upon us to make the best, most well thought-out decisions possible. We hope these decisions will serve us well over time. Our guiding principle, as always, will be to provide the best and most equitable opportunities for all children. Schools within the district have the same general class sizes, the same general curriculum and comparable facilities. Although the philosophies of the instructional leaders may differ slightly, the same programs are provided throughout the district and guarantee a quality education at all campuses.

Q. What is the timeline for opening the new High Schools that are under construction? We have two high schools under construction at this time that can be ready to open in 2009. Heritage High School will relieve Liberty High School and is being built north of Eldorado and west of Independence. Lone Star High School is being built east of Teel and north of ElDorado. It will relieve Wakeland High School. We will continue to monitor growth and enrollment trends and will make a decision in early August of 2008 about the needs of our students. We could open both of the high schools in 2009 or we could open one of the high schools in 2009 with 9-10 graders and the other in 2010 with 9-11 graders. If we need one or both of the high schools in 2009, we will follow the same zoning process as outlined above, except it will take place in August, September and October. There are no plans at this time for the zones of Frisco High and Centennial High to be impacted.