CISD eyes solutions to capacity challenges
Carroll trustees are weighing a number of options for dealing with crowding and future growth at several elementary schools.
Board members heard a presentation April 18 from the Capital Needs Planning Committee that provided pros and cons for seven different scenarios, from building a sixth elementary to changing the way grade levels are divided into campuses.
The issue prompting the study is enrollment growth north of Southlake Boulevard. Most new homes are in the Johnson and Walnut Grove elementary zones, creating concerns about crowded classrooms and stressed campus resources. At the April 18 board meeting, trustees approved several temporary staff positions for Walnut Grove Elementary School to help deal with the growing enrollment, which is nearing 700 students.
Board President Christopher Archer said that the capacity problem at the elementary level is challenging because of current budget constraints and the likelihood of boundary changes.
“Our easiest solution would be if we had land and dollars available to build a sixth elementary on the north side,” he said.
That option is unlikely because of the annual cost to operate another campus, Archer said. Carroll’s budget for daily operations is constrained by state recapture. As a property wealthy district, it sends a portion of taxes back to the state for redistribution.
Other scenarios presented by the committee included adding classrooms at Old Union and Rockenbaugh elementary schools to bring all K-4 campuses up to capacities of 650, turning Durham Intermediate into an elementary and building a new intermediate on the site of the old Carroll Intermediate School and realigning grades.
Archer said that having fifth graders at elementary schools and sending sixth graders to middle school was an interesting option. The committee suggested turning Durham into an elementary, having Dawson Middle School take over the adjoining Eubanks Intermediate School and adding classrooms at Carroll Middle School to make the grade adjustments feasible.
We know we’re going to have to do something. We want to get it as close to right as possible with as little impact to as few students, parents and families as possible.
Board President Christopher Archer
Regardless of which option is chosen, officials are likely looking at adjusting attendance boundaries.
“We know we’re going to have to do something,” Archer said. “We want to get it as close to right as possible with as little impact to as few students, parents and families as possible.”
Archer said the board’s three main goals in the process are to be fiscally responsible, do what’s best for all students and to adversely impact as few students as possible.
Julie Thannum, assistant superintendent for board and community relations, said the capital needs committee is working to finalize its recommendation to the board, which is tentatively scheduled for the June 6 board meeting. All the options presented April 18 involved adding square footage, which would require a bond package.
Trustees have the final say over the solution to pursue, which may be a hybrid of options or something entirely different. Thannum said district officials would seek public input if any major rezoning is needed.
This story was originally published April 26, 2016 at 3:08 PM with the headline "CISD eyes solutions to capacity challenges."