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Due to continued rapid growth (we expect to grow by 3,000 plus students this year, which represents 10 percent growth), we are preparing to open six new schools in the 2010-2011 school year. FISD will open two new elementary schools (Purefoy to relieve Pink, Corbell and Robertson and Sonntag to relieve Mooneyham and Ashley; three middle schools (Cobb to relieve Griffin, Maus to relieve Roach, and Hunt to relieve Pioneer Heritage); and Lone Star High School (grades 9-11) to relieve Wakeland.
For address and construction information see http://www.friscoisd.org/departments/construction/projects.htm
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?
This year’s timeline is as follows:
- Purefoy Elementary, Cobb Middle School, and Lone Star High School are somewhat inter-related so we will present a plan in September, hear citizen input in October, and make a final decision in November.
- Hunt Middle School and Maus Middle School zones, relieving Pioneer Heritage and Roach respectively, will be presented in October, as will Sonntag Elementary, which will relieve Mooneyham and Ashley elementary schools. We will hear citizen input in November, and make a final decision in December.
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 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 be opening new schools each year for some time. We are, however, at a point where some zones are relatively stable. In the more active growth areas of the district, new schools will be needed and students could still change schools multiple times.
Q. How will the administration, faculty and staff be selected for the new schools?
By March 2010, 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.
Q. If growth slows and enrollment projections are not met, will FISD consider not opening a school that will be ready in 2010?
We would be reluctant to let a school sit empty if overcrowding existed at any of our facilities. In past years, when growth trends have slowed or escalated, we have utilized innovative approaches to meeting student needs in the most cost effective way possible. This has included using a middle school as a sixth grade center and using a middle school as a fifth and sixth grade center to relieve an elementary school and begin the zone for the new middle school; utilizing a middle school as a 9-10 grade high school until the high school could open; utilizing a high school as an “annex” for some ninth grade programming of a nearby high school. We will set all of the zones for the new schools this fall and closely monitor the growth, the economic factors and the projections. In the spring, we will revisit plans and would communicate directly with parents any adjustments that are being considered before final plans are made.
Board meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room at 6928 Maple Street on the following dates:
September 14
October 12
November 9
December 14
January 11
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 Cobb, Purefoy and Sonntag – brentd@friscoisd.org or 469-633-6207
Rick Cohagen, for questions on Lone Star, Maus, and Hunt – cohaganr@friscoisd.org or 469-633-6356
Proposed zone maps and updates will be placed on the website and will be available for review at the campuses.
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