Nearly 20 more campuses could open by 2020



Haley Hudnall sorted forms and tweaked decorations in her classroom Aug. 21 as she prepared for meet the teacher night. Hudnall had experienced plenty of meet the teacher nights in her 10 years with Frisco ISD, but Aug. 21 was different. Hudnall greeted parents and students at the brand new Scott Elementary School.



Hudnall said she had never worked in a new school before, and said she feels optimistic about this academic year.



"I think [teaching at a new school] is going to push me to be an even better teacher, to just stay on top of things," she said.



Scott Elementary is one of five new campuses that opened this year, bringing Frisco ISD's total to 61 schools. By 2020, the district plans to open nearly 20 more campuses.



Two factors have contributed to the district planning for so many new schools.



FISD is one of the fastest growing school districts in the nation—according to the National Center for Education Statistics—adding about 3,000 more students every year.



This year the district expects more than 49,000 students to be enrolled at its schools. By 2020, FISD projects that number to rise to more than 65,000 students.



The district also has a "small schools" philosophy, with a capacity of 760 students for elementary, 1,000 for middle and 2,100 for high schools and capping enrollment at 100 students beyond that.



These factors mean FISD needs to build schools quickly and will undergo frequent rezoning and planning processes.



Getting ahead of the growth and maintaining quality schools is "a balancing act," FISD Board President Anne McCausland said.



"Managing growth is a huge part of what we do, but also it's making sure that we're meeting the growing needs and the expectations of our parents, students and community," she said.



Drawing new zones



Rezoning is inevitable until the district stops growing, said Richard Wilkinson, deputy superintendent of business services. This year, the FISD Board of Trustees will discuss rezoning for Reedy High School, Trent Middle School and the unnamed Middle School No. 15, planned to open next year, he said. The Board has decided at the Sept. 7 meeting to fast-track another elementary school to open next year.



Unlike last year's discussions when the rezoning process lasted through January, the board will discuss rezoning from October to December this year, McCausland said. The board wants to communicate thoroughly with the communities being considered for rezoning through letters with information about the process, she said.



"Anxiety is really high in rezoning, especially a high school," McCausland said. "So we try to say, 'Just so you know, there has not been any decision made. Here's our process; here's our timeline.'"



The process begins with the board looking at the proposed zones in October. District planners consider issues such as student stability and space utilization when drawing new zones, Wilkinson said.



In November the board will take public comments and suggestions for the proposed zones. Then the board will make the final decision in December.



Anjali Shirvaikar, Liberty High School PTSA president, said she has experienced rezoning with her two sons. Her younger son went to a different middle school than her older son because her neighborhood was rezoned before the younger son started sixth grade.



Shirvaikar said most parents are understanding of the process because they know their children will get the same quality of education at all schools in the district.



"It might be a different teacher teaching them the math course, but I think, rest assured, they will get what they need and still have a positive educational experience," she said.



Planning for growth



To stay ahead of the growth curve the district follows an intensive planning process beginning with a 10-year plan that is adjusted annually based on current enrollment projections, Wilkinson said. This plan shows how many schools are planned and where they will be located.



The district gathers enrollment figures from schools following the first week of classes, Wilkinson said. Once enrollment numbers are in, demographers can start planning what schools are needed.



There are several challenges when it comes to determining where to place schools, Wilkinson said. One is determining where within the district the population will grow. The district works closely with cities in the district to see where development is happening, Wilkinson said. But sometimes, the population grows in an unexpected way.



"There's just anomalies where it grows faster than anticipated, either the yield is higher than we anticipated or there's more houses that are sold and then more students in them than anticipated," Wilkinson said.



This happened to the district last year with the development of Phillips Creek Ranch and other neighborhoods, McCausland said. As a result FISD had to fast-track building two elementary schools.



Another challenge is obtaining land for schools. Frisco is nearly 60 percent built out, and a portion of the undeveloped land belongs to landowners who have not sold their properties to developers.



Until a landowner sells property for a neighborhood development, FISD plans around the undeveloped land, FISD Communications Executive Director Shana Wortham said. At the same time, planners have to keep in mind the land could be sold at any time, and the district would then have to plan for more schools in new developments, she said.



The district has the power of eminent domain, but it has avoided using that as much as possible, Wilkinson said.



Hudnall said she has no worries about the district keeping up with its growth.



"I feel like Frisco ISD just really has a vision and knows where we're heading," she said.