FISD hears public input re: zone mod's

During a special Nov. 15, 2018 meeting, the Forney Independent School District Board met and in summary:

• Held a 60-minute executive session re:
  • consultation with attorney

• Held Public Hearings -
  • For the Rezone Modification Draft Plan
        Ms. Morisak reviewed the goals: optimize space; plan for growth; centralize dual language program; use natural boundary lines; have students attend closest school.
        She said they had about 150 parents at the two information meetings, and got feedback from them. The feedback forms provided 83 results. Most questions were from parents on N. side of town.
        They looked at 4 areas: NW rural N. of University; Brookville Estates; Mustang place / Eagle Ridge; Fox Hollow.
        Mustang place / Eagle Ridge: 210 houses

    . 138 students, 51 in K-4. Future homes in the area would put pressure on Crosby, Smith, NFHS.
        Fox Hollow moving to Henderson would put Henderson over capacity in 1st year.
        Criswell is probably the largest area of concern. In Jan 2018 had a committee that said should move all dual language to Criswell; they then formed a Dual Language Academy at Criswell. Campus has 38 classrooms, 20 for dual lang. 339 students projected, that will leave one empty classroom. Moving Brookville adds 54 students, putting Criswell over capacity.
        A future development called Adams Place is 3-5 years away, will add 108 students.
        Second option: moving Brookville to Crosby - draft plan 6 does that, plus rural homes N of university, and a future section of Windmill Farms. This plan relieves pressure at Lewis, last year grew at 30%, don't expect quite that much. This will not cause overcapacity any more than plan 4.
        Mr. Geer showed a flowchart for current students: K-3 at most campuses will not change, but Criswell, Crosby, Rhea and Smith will. 4th & 5th will go to new intermediates Smith and Rhea . 6th graders in modified zone will have one-time option to pick feeder pattern. Current 4th & 5th graders w/ sibling at Brown and/or NFHS will have one-time option to choose path.
        Transportation: will move to 3-tier system, K-4, 5-8 + HS. Currently don't transport transfer students, but will allow that now.
        Public input - Kendra Ankrum - speaks on behalf of all Brookville Estates residents here tonight. They were shocked to find their community, directly across from Criswell, was not in the the zone. Most have filled out online forms, and received generic replies. One person applied to be on the committee, but was denied. People chose Brookville because of proximity to school, many walk their kids to school. Parents with multiple students may have to drive past Criswell taking students to other schools. Adding 30 minutes to parents commute time would have a large impact. Many are uncomfortable putting their children on buses. Their community feels like an extended family w/ Criswell, this would remove that sense of community. If you believe in #forneyfamily, you'll know why this is important to them. Every year starts off w/ new concerns; this would create undo stress on kids. The neighborhood is used as overflow parking for the school, but they tolerate it for convenience of walking kids to school. Property values will suffer due to nonsense of not being able to attend school across street. Should adjust map by moving homes near 460 to Lewis, and adding portables at Criswell or allowing dual-language to be reduced by attrition. They trust in their (the boards') ability to make decisions in their best interest.
        Mr. Pharris asked about the maps 4 & 6; Ms. Morisak said the affected zone is the same in each, secondary not different in plan 4 or 6. Brookville is moved to Crosby.
        He thanked the people for speaking.

• Adjourned at 1928.