The board of trustees discussed the options during its regular board meeting Oct. 21.
Some context
The board of trustees is responsible for establishing attendance zones, and adjustments to these zones may be necessary in order to balance student populations, according to officials.
Ramage is part of the $367.8 million 2023 bond, and construction estimates from contractor Bartlett Cocke state that substantial construction should be completed by July.
What are the options?
- Draft Map Option 1 primarily pulls students from the current Hemphill Elementary zone to Ramage, as well as some eastern portions of the Fuentes Elementary zone. Ramage is being constructed in the current Fuentes zone.
- Draft Map Option 2 is the same as Option 1, but adds an additional group of Fuentes students who live north of Bunton Lane. This map helps create a cleaner middle school feeder pattern by assigning Fuentes students who currently attend Simon Middle School to Ramage instead.
- Draft Map Option 3 is the same as Option 2, but moves a portion of the district north of the Sunfield subdivision to Buda Elementary from Sunfield Elementary. This option is not necessary to create a Ramage zone but would reduce anticipated future overcrowding at Sunfield.
- Draft Map Option 4 moves some Camino Real Elementary areas to Uhland Elementary; some Uhland areas to Fuentes; some Fuentes to Ramage; and some Hemphill areas to Ramage.
What they're saying
Staff recommended Draft Map Option 2 based on community feedback received so far. Chief Communication Officer Tim Savoy said the map achieves the basic "what we have to have next year"—an attendance zone for the new school—but also keeps things stable and is a less disruptive map option.
Savoy added that the future construction of HCISD's fourth high school could present an opportunity for the district to readjust and realign all of its attendance zones.
"Everything's basically going to be blown out of the water pretty much in the out years just because we're growing so fast," Savoy said. "What isn't reflected on this map is hopefully there will be some new schools the voters will approve, knowing obviously the need."
Another detail
While the recommended draft map does not address middle school overcrowding concerns or future population growth concerns at Pfluger, Sunfield, Uhland and Camino Real elementary schools, district documents state that a future "Hays Choice Transfer" program could.
This program would be a companion program to "cap and overflow." Once a school reaches capacity, new students moving to the area are required to attend the next assigned middle school. The Hays Choice Transfer program would seek voluntary transfers first before implementing cap and overflow.
According to documents, the district could test this program on McCormick Elementary students wishing to attend Dahlstrom Middle School, and for Simon Middle School students wishing to attend Chapa Middle School. Doing so would not affect high school feeder patterns or jeopardize University Interscholastic League eligibility.
What's next
The board is anticipated to vote on a final map Nov. 18. An alternate meeting has been planned for Dec. 16 if the process extends beyond the planned timeline.
Get involved
Community members can submit feedback on the attendance map drafts maps here. There will also be public forums held at upcoming board meetings to provide in-person feedback:
- Oct. 28, 6:30 p.m.
- Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m.
