Due to continued rapid growth (we expect to grow by 3,000 students this year) we are preparing to open four new schools in the 2012-13 school year. FISD will open three new elementary schools (Comstock to relieve Elliott and Ogle; Phillips to relieve Robertson, Boals, Pink and Carroll; Nichols to relieve Sparks, Bledsoe, and Allen) and Vandeventer Middle School to relieve Fowler and Scoggins. See www.friscoisd.org for locations and more information http://www.friscoisd.org/departments/construction/projects.htm . With the opening of new schools comes the task of redrawing attendance zones. In addition, sometimes existing zones have to be reviewed to relieve crowding at a school even when a new school is not opening. We will be looking at adjusting zones to relieve crowding at Riddle Elementary and at Mooneyham Elementary. 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 have received the updated fall projections and those numbers are being used to draw the preliminary zones for review at the November Board meeting. Those proposals will be communicated and input taken from parents following the November meeting. An opportunity for citizen input is extended at the December regular board meeting as the Board moves toward making a final decision on the new boundaries at the January board meeting.

Q. What are the criteria for determining attendance zones in FISD?  As staff develops the proposed plans, they take into consideration issues of student stability, effective utilization of space, proximity to the school, diversity of the student body and unity in the community. No one factor is more important than another in this process of formulating 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 sometimes the case that students of one attendance zone at the elementary level may be assigned to different middle schools. Likewise, students at a middle school are sometimes assigned to different high schools.

Q. If we are rezoned, will this be the only time?  Frisco ISD will continue to open schools to meet the needs of growth, however, we are at a point where some zones are relatively stable. In the more active growth areas of the district, new schools will be needed in the future and students could still change schools.

Q. How will the administration, faculty and staff be selected for the new schools?  By April 2012, principals will be recommended by the Superintendent to the Board of Trustees. 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 continue to experience growth because people are still moving here and we have many young families with children who are not yet school age. We do have concerns with children changing schools multiple times during their elementary school years, which 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.

Board meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the following dates:

November 14

December 12

January 9

If you have questions about proposed zones or would like to give input that will be shared with the Board, contact the following staff members at:

Dennis Brent, for questions on Comstock, Vandeventer or modifications to existing zones – brentd@friscoisd.org or 469-633-6207

Rick Cohagan, for questions on Phillips and Nichols – cohaganr@friscoisd.org or 469-633-6356

Proposed zone maps and updates will be placed on the website at www.friscoisd.org  following the November board meeting and will be available for review at the campuses.